Networking Basics: the Two "P's" and Two "C's"

These days we are caught up in social media and electronic communication. Yes, the are great tools for networking and marketing, but the basics never leave the process.

Some things never change. As we tell our trade show clients: "if you do this right, you can sell on a bare piece of concrete."

Picture not having Facebook, Twitter or your blog: could you still network effectively?

Sure you could. Just remember these basics:

• Patience
• Persistence
• Consistency
• Content

You need to be patient. Good things take time. Don't go into a room of people expecting a sale or even a relationship.

Keep it up: as in social media where regular posts and filings get you attention over the long term, so it is with basic networking. Be there, regularly, to be noticed.

Be the same and present yourself consistently. You will be memorable.

Provide value. As in social media give people things they can remember and use. They will remember you.

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Baseball and Networking

This being the Fourth of July Weekend, our thoughts turn to patriotism and the national pastime. In this instance, I'm talking about baseball--while I realize football and soccer are more of a ratings and popularity hit, baseball endures.

Baseball and networking share several common traits and ideas:

• Things happen in threes
• Teamwork is essential
• There is strategy involved

Three strikes, three outs, triple plays, three bases, a triple (hit), nine innings (okay, a multiple of three) are the basics of baseball.

When it comes to networking, people remember things best in threes, groups of three are a more complete conversation, three conversations and you most likely get to a face-to-face meeting.

Unassisted double and triple plays are rare, a pitcher would be ineffective without a catcher, an outfielder really needs a cutoff man and a clean-up man needs guys on base to clean up.

A wing man really works wonders when you are at a reception, referrals don't happen without someone referring another person to you, social media has based its whole concept on connected people and word-of-mouth takes more than one mouth.

Knowing which pitch to throw in a full-count situation, when a coach is supposed to send a runner, when to walk a batter and when to pull a pitcher are all elements of strategy in baseball.

Knowing what events to attend and when, who you should be meeting and why you need to meet them comprise a networking strategy.

Remember the basics when you're out networking and the results will be positive. Play ball!

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