FAQs

1. How do I use the calendar to find the events I want to attend?  Can I view all at once the events I am interested in for my area?  For my type of networking?

When you click on a date on the calendar, you will see a list on the right of all the events for that date. To narrow down the search, choose your area, type of event, and time of day. This search can be saved so that when you go back to the calendar, you can click on your saved search and view events that fit your area and type of networking.

2. How do I post the events to my Outlook calendar?  Will I get reminder emails?

There are two links at the top of the event information, "Remind Me" and "Add to Outlook." "Remind Me" will send a reminder email on the date you choose. The "Add to Outlook" link will add the event to your personal Outlook calendar.

3. Why do I need to become a member to use the website?

Becoming a member of the website allows us to track our advertising campaigns and Ambassador program.  It also gives us the demographics necessary for continued advertising dollars that keeps the website free to our members.

4. What is the difference between networking and “relationship networking?”  What do you mean by Pay It Forward?

Networking lately has developed a negative connotation.  We hear people saying, “Networking is so fake.”  “Everyone is looking for a sale.”  “Everyone only cares about what THEY can get out of it.”

Relationship Networking is a learned skill for building the business referral relationship through the networking process.   It is a process of asking the correct questions and truly listening to the answers.  You learn from people who is a good referral for them.

5. I have been networking a lot lately, but am not getting any referrals from others I meet.  Is there some trick to this?  How will I know when I am a successful networker?

Many people try to network sporadically; when business is slow or they are losing clients.  Networking takes time.  You have to be known as a giver – not a taker.  Good networkers consistently show up for events and give referrals to others.  It is all about trust, and that takes time.

You are a successful networker when YOU feel you are successful.  I myself am never satisfied with my networking skills.  I always want to improve.

6. What if the event I register for is cancelled?

I highly recommend that you call the organization a day or two before the event to be sure the event is still occurring.  Many times an organization will change venues or dates and forgets to let us know.  Please get into the habit of calling before attending events.

7. I know of other networking events that are not listed on the website.  How can I get them listed?

Please send an email to organizations@thepronetworker.com with an introduction to the Executive Director or the person in charge of the organization.  The Professional Networker will contact them by phone and send the necessary documents by email to get them listed on the site.

8. Where can I find more information about networking skill building?

The Professional Networker is designing a series of workshops to help everyone perfect their skills.  These will be listed on the website and featured in our weekly newsletter.

9. I don’t really have any reason to network outside my company, so why is networking important to me?

What if you lost your job today?  Would you be employed tomorrow?  By having a vibrant network of good networkers, many people have lost their jobs on one day, sent an email to all their networking contacts explaining their situation, and were employed by the next work day.  THAT is only one reason why networking outside of your company is important.

10.  After I meet people at a networking event, what kind of follow-up should I do?

There are many types of follow-up programs.  One that I like is to ONLY take business cards from those I see a connection with.  Instead of 100’s of contacts, I have 10 or so GOOD contacts to follow-up with.  I have already secured a time and date to call these follow-ups during the event, so follow-up is easy.  This is taught in one of the workshops.

11.  Why can’t I expect to come out of my networking meetings with a new customer every time?

Networking is all about relationships.  Relationships take time to build.  The more personal (in the pocket book) and the longer the relationship will be, the longer it will take for you to secure clients.