Give Before You Take

Doing a lot of networking can quickly fill your business card holder with the cards of a lot of people in many different fields. One of the goals at every networking event should be to connect with someone who can provide some value to you in the future. That being said, a business card in your collection, or an email address in your contacts does have a shelf life.

If you know that someone you met while networking will be useful later be sure to stay in contact with them. Not a constant flurry of calls and emails, but a touch here and there so they remember who you are, and why they liked talking to you at the networking function. Don’t be the networker who sends and email a year after talking to someone asking for some free advice or help. You will come off as being rude and demanding. If you know that you are going to want to get something out of an old contact make sure to rekindle the bond and test the state of the relationship before you ask for advice.