Social Networking tips from 125 Years Ago

Love it! I think it summarizes a lot of the things I found about networking:

1. The best way to network is to be a regular. One time networking events typically don't lead to anything. Most people won't even remember your name.

2. Novices to networking expect miracles the first time they do it. It doesn't work that way. You can't build an "acquaintance" relationship in just one session.

3. Deviating from the article, it is my humble opinion that most people don't like networking because it involves dealing with strangers. Strangers are frightening because they are an unknown quantity. The first time you go to an event, you are in a room full of strangers. Eventually as you go to a second, third or fourth event, you get to know the former strangers and their interests and you start feeling much more comfortable.

4. You can't be an empty suit. By the second, third or fourth meeting people will figure it out.

I'll fork the process, with something not impossible:

On the ninth time they tell you to get out of there and never appear again, because you are annoying and creepy.

So true! From the networker's perspective, it's called persistence, and it does work as advertised :-). The only thing you need to remember is to actually fit in, otherwise you'll become infamous as opposed to known and respected (although infamy is still better than being unknown I suppose, especially since opinions can be turned around).