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Note I didn't say YOUR business objectives. More on this point later.

People often will comment that networking is too hard and takes too long to achieve any outcome. This is mainly due to the fact they are not doing it correctly. What will take them six to nine months to achieve in reality should only take a month.

Why is networking so hard, I'll let you into a secret, it's not hard at all, you just have to be disciplined. You know, its not earth shattering. Sure you can ignore these techniques; sure you can continue on as you are. Nothing will change, you will still have your job, the Sun will still rise, the world will still be round. Will your partner still love you.. hmmm maybe…maybe not.

• Business or career wise, its all about connecting with people, relationship building. You want to build these relationships quickly and effectively.
• Networking can do this faster than cold calling or email based marketing or the traditional methods.
• It doesn't cost that much.
• People like to do business with people they know and have met in person and have gained some trust with.
• Networking stops you becoming isolated, and in an industry that promotes the isolated geek, that can't but be a good thing.
• Finally if you're not doing it, sorry the person next to you is and they are beating you to your slice of the pie.

Attend Events

Networking is all about going to the right events, joining the right associations (professional associations, your local chamber of commerce, local business association, Rotary etc) such that you can make new client or professional contacts, to be exposed to new ideas and new business opportunities. All you need to do is be open to discussing common problems and challenges. You may need to increase your knowledge and skills, in order to determine what's happening in your industry, your clients industry and your community, business or otherwise. But trust me its not a big deal.

It's all about Relationships.

It's about building on the business relationships and friendships that you already have.

You know about 6 degrees of separation; well in Perth, as we all know, it's only 1 to 2 degrees of separation. You know the saying “It's not about what you know but who you know”. Well it's true. Now how many people do know? For most people about 50 to 100. This makes up your core contacts list. But if you extended this list of contacts you will have well over 2000. Pity you're not in contact with them all, eh. And so reality bites here. You know you can't be in contact all the time with that many people. But you can stay in contact with about 200 people on a regular (quarterly basis). Contact can be a short email, a phone call, or a postcard drop.

You need to be friendly and approachable, and showing a genuine interest in people. Don't try and fake it, it has to be the real thing. People will see through a false front. The key is when you are introduced to a new contact, follow up with them later (within 48 hours). Don't forget them, or hope they will show up later at another meeting (they may not). Take the time and stay in contact with them. But also don't forget all your other contacts, you need to remember them as well.

Set aside time, at least 15 to 30 minutes a day to maintain your contacts. The work you do here will payoff. But an important part of this is to make the method of contact personal, don't ever make it impersonal. No email drops. No email newsletters.

You have to give before you get.

Networking is all about giving before you receive anything. It's all about paying it forward. It's about people helping each other, to build each others business through the exchange of leads, referrals or just information. You do this by basically asking people what they need or want. And then helping them were you can.

If you want networking to work for you in the long term you have to be prepared to help others to be successful. You have to do this unconditionally. You have to build trust. If you aren't prepared to do this, it's not going to work for you. Plain and simple.

It comes back three fold

Generally there is a physiological requirement in people for them to return a favour. This desire to reciprocate will mean that over time people will feel the need to return your favours. It's a little like growing seeds, you plant them now, some grow slow, and some grow fast. But the key is, like the resultant seedlings, you must nurture, or foster the relationship and stay in contact. Attend those meetings, events, and conferences; emailing those ideas, comment on their blogs, meet them for coffee or just give them a ring.

Matchmaking

Now the final bit is all about matchmaking. For example, you know a contact needs a resource so you put them in contact with someone else you know who needs the work but is the idea resource. It's all about matching up your contacts problems with each other to provide solutions. As you can now see in order to do this effectively you really need a diverse network of contacts, the broader the scope usually the better.