The current statistics for cold-calling success rates state that for every one hundred cold calls you make, you can expect about three appointments, out of which you might score one sale. Does this sound like an efficient use of your time? Networking is the art of connection. It is the starting point in the relationship-building process. In its simplest form, networking is a subtle, soft-sell approach to marketing. In its most powerful form, it is a means of building a very efficient, highly proactive team of partners who can provide you with an endless flow of referrals. People do business with people they know, like, and trust. The first of those criteria is to know you. This is why we network.
Always have enough business cards with you. While this seems like it should be obvious, people are still caught off-guard without their business cards. You’ll never know when or where opportunities will arise. Also, whenever you know you're on your way to a trade show, mixer, or other networking event, make sure you take a lot of business cards. It's better to have too many than not enough!
Tip: Keep a number of “card caches” around you at all times. Keeping business cards in your car, at your desk, at your home office, and in your briefcase or purse can keep you from looking ill-prepared if you forget to replenish the cards in your wallet.