I'll Pat Your Back and You Can Pat Mine, But Please Don't Burp

I have been going to Networking Events for the past four years and think I have evolved into a pretty decent networker. Even though I have a couple of businesses that are my lifeblood toward hopefully a nice retirement, I do not go to events today thinking of how many prospects, business cards and follow-ups I can get. However, that was not the case a few years ago, when I would go to an event, meet some business owners, and before I even know their name, I would spill the beans about what I do. An example is this scenario, "Hello I am Jeff DeSocio, I sell Isotonix, Torch, Transitions supplements, save money for my customers shopping online, help small businesses with their websites and are looking for people that want to start a network marketing business. Uh, and what is your name.....". How would I know what their interests are, why are they even there, and if anything I said register?

What I learned over the years, is the art of networking is just like politics. You know, the old "I'll pat your back if you pat mine" Politics have been around for centuries so why did it take me years to figure it out? So, instead now, I like to go to events and simply get to know the people I meet on a personal basis and always ask what they like to accomplish at the networking event. My rule of thumb is to pat their back first. With the following I have today with over 1100 LinkedIn connections and 500 Facebook friends, chances are, I will know somebody that they can connect to, to accomplish their goal. After the connection, they would have a good feeling about me and when they come across a referral that needs my services, I would be the first person they think of and they will go ahead and pat my back.

So what do I mean by the saying "Please Don't Burp". It simply states that you should try to balance how much you and a networking contact/referral help each other out. Don't ask for ten favors while they only ask for one or two. Maintain a balance. If you cannot do that, move onto to another networking connection you have. So, take a look at the people you have met so far and always work toward trying to help them out first before thinking of yourself. While meeting new people at an upcoming networking event, listen, learn and think about how you can help them. If you do, you will get help in return, no questions asked.