BUSINESS NETWORKING MISTAKES
I attended a very classy professional event at a hotel last week. Valet service. No long walk to the car. The kind of place where you expect high-level conversations and solid business networking. Yes, classy.
While waiting for my car with other guests after the meeting, an attorney was handing out his business card to everyone waiting for their cars.
“Hi, my name is… If you need me…”
And there it was!
Business networking is often misunderstood as prospecting in disguise. Attorneys, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and sales leaders attend events, join groups, and connect on LinkedIn—but many unknowingly sabotage their results through poor networking habits and outdated approaches.
The problem isn’t necessarily effort. It’s approach.
“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦…” rarely works.
Here are 5 worst practices (and yes, there are worse) that quietly cost you trust, referrals, and long-term professional relationships. Just ask my attorney at the valet.
1. PITCHING TOO EARLY – A CLASSIC NETWORKING MISTAKE
Nothing shuts down a relationship faster than a premature pitch. When you introduce yourself by immediately explaining what you sell, you send a clear message: this relationship only matters if it turns into business.
In advisory and professional circles, trust is everything. “Knock out” networkers lead with curiosity, not credentials.
2. TALKING INSTEAD OF LISTENING – NETWORKING ERROR
Many professionals confuse confidence with dominance. Talking excessively about your background, book of business, experiences, or success stories may feel impressive, but it rarely builds rapport.
Listening creates connection.
Talking creates distance.
The best networkers tend to listen more, talk less.
3. TREATING NETWORKING LIKE A NUMBERS GAME – WHY QUALITY CONNECTIONS MATTER
Collecting contacts without context is a waste of time. A CRM full of weak connections won’t outperform five strong referral partners who trust you. Business networking success isn’t measured by how many people you meet or how many LinkedIn connections/followers you have. It’s measured by who remembers you and why it matters.
4. POOR FOLLOW UP – HOW INTENTIONAL FOLLOW-UP BUILDS TRUST
Or no follow up.
“𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨” is not follow-up.
Be specific about how you can help, who you can introduce, and why.
Effective follow-up reinforces relevance, references the conversation, and creates momentum.
If you don’t follow up with intention, it’s almost like the meeting never happened.
5. ONLY NETWORKING WHEN THINGS ARE SLOW – WHY CONSISTENCY CREATES STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS
This is common with job seekers and struggling professionals who only network when they need something.
The strongest professional relationships are built consistently.
When the time comes, others will be of service to you. Consistency builds familiarity. Familiarity builds trust. Trust builds business. Trust me.
I’m often reminded that our reputation precedes us. The most successful professionals aren’t the most aggressive networkers.
They’re the most interested, reliable, and valuable ones.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER EXAMPLES OF BAD NETWORKING?
