The 10 Mistakes We Make at Networking Events and How to Avoid Them
Mistake #1 We misunderstand the purpose of networking.
Imagine you have just opened the double doors of a large and vibrant networking event,
let’s say it’s your chamber of commerce’s annual gala. Before you stand two hundred well-to-
do, connected, and most importantly, strangers. What do you have in your mind when you see
all of those people? How do you view them as it relates to your business? Those that tend to
see all of the attendees as nothing more than dollar signs ruin it for the rest of us who are truly
interested in meeting professionals and developing mutually beneficial referral relationships.
How many times have you heard “You absolutely MUST try my product!”, or “I can help ALL of
your clients, call me." These kinds of people are more interested in shoving their business card
down your throat before even getting to know your last name, much less what it is that's
important to you. They prey on the folks who attend these events. If they walk away with a
