Unconventional Networking
Search
× Search

Sprocket Websites - Blog / News / Updates

Unconventional Networking
Breanne Bannon
/ Categories: DIY Sprocket Solutions

If you find this helpful, pay it forward! More after the article...

Unconventional Networking

DIY Sprocket Solutions

This article has been updated on 9/29/2020 with the article entitled “Grow Your Network Without the Usual Handshaking.”

More networking?! Yes my friends… more networking.  Unfortunately for you anti-socials out there, contacts don’t generally fall out of the sky.  And we’ve talked about putting yourself out there and NetWORKing… but where are you going?  Where are these connections being made these days?  The answers might surprise you.

Yes, events specifically set up TO NETWORK are great avenues to utilize.  As with anything though, there are always a few down sides.  One big flaw being that everyone is there to get their name out there.  I’m not saying that people can’t or don’t make real genuine connections at these events –because they do! I’m saying that sometimes there’s so much hustle and bustle with other sweaty palmed people trying to nervously get their name out there that they may not necessarily recall yours.

So what’s a savvy business person to do? QUIT! Just kidding… You live your life.  You get up, you go get coffee, you head to the gym, you check out a bookstore, you go to a restaurant or a sporting event –whatever you normally do, keep doing it.  Do it with one small change.  Start to talk. Start to engage.

Open your mouth at the next baseball game and say something more than, “Hey, where did you get the nachos?”  Get a conversation going, and work your business into it.  It’s not a networking event, but you obviously have something in common with these people or you wouldn’t be standing in the same space as them.  If nothing else, the two of you are breathing the same air.  Find some common ground.  Open your mouth. Start talking.  What’s the worst that could happen?  Well, I guess you could open your mouth to talk but get nervous and instead emit some sort of half strangled choking snorting noise.  And I completely understand that that may be a horrifying experience for you.  The good news is, if you embarrass yourself, you can turn around and walk away.  You never have to see that person again.  You may need to find a new gym to save yourself from shocked stares; however horrifying though, I’m quite sure that your life will go on.

You can find some great connections in the most unconventional places.  You just have to be willing to look, willing to talk, and willing to be shot down from time to time.  Think of it like dating.  You’re trying to pick up the right contact.  You might get a few drinks thrown in your face, but hopefully you’ll eventually find the right line and get a number or two.  Good luck!

What are the most unconventional places you’ve ever networked? Did it work?  I’d like to hear about your success and obviously about your giant flops.  Leave me a comment!

Did you enjoy this article? Was it helpful? Insightful?
Then please share it! Post it on your favorite Social Media platform(s) so your followers see it.
It's easy. Just click on any of the social icons below and we'll do the heavy lifting for you.
Oh yeah, leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you. Thanks for visiting!

Print
4937 Rate this article:
No rating
Breanne Bannon

Breanne BannonBreanne Bannon

Breanne is a Content Writer, Social Media Marketeer, and Sales Associate for Sprocket Websites.

Other posts by Breanne Bannon
Previous Article 5 Ways to Make Your Blog Cool[er]
Next Article Key Web Elements for Event Planners

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Contact author

x

Stay In-The-Know...

Via QR Code

... With Every-Other-Week Tips!

Every other Tuesday, you'll receive the Sprocket Report completely free! Learn the latest business tip or news about what's currently happening in internet marketing. You get:

  • A web marketing tip from Kate
  • Another one from Breanne, and
  • Bonus! Tips curated from around the web

That's three valuable posts that you can read, plus a quick look at upcoming events and what's being discussed on Twitter. 

You'll want to get this info for yourself, in your own inbox. It's easy!

Type your email in the box above. OR scroll to the bottom of any page on this site. We have our subscription box there, too!

We NEVER give out your email address to anybody else and we don't flood you with ads. It's just good, free information. 

About Us

We turn surfers into visitors and visitors into customers.

We'll make you a beautiful, interactive website. Then we'll help drive traffic to it.

Read Archived Articles

Search

GET SOCIAL

LEARN MORE

Get The Sprocket Report

 

Terms Of UsePrivacy StatementCopyright © 2024 by Sprocket Websites, Inc.
Back To Top