This is the number one most important rule of networking success: You must show up. This is how you create the opportunities to expand your network.
This holds whether you are talking about networking events, group meetings, or even online networking opportunities. Unless you show up, they will never know you exist.
In this case, the emphasis is definitely on “show”. They must see and interact with you. If you attend the networking event and just grab your lunch and sit alone, if you show up late and leave early from the meeting, if you just “lurk” online without contributing to the conversation, then you aren’t “showing up”.
So, how do those of us in the technical set achieve these lofty goals of interaction? Check back tomorrow for some ideas that will play to our strengths.
What was the last networking opportunity you “showed up” for?
