Recently, I was listening to a professional networking podcast that had mentioned this comedy bit about the networking event "Me Monster." I searched YouTube and found this bit by Bill Regan. It's hilarious!  I have met a few "Me Monsters" while networking in the Triangle. Now that I have seen the entire bit I know how to fend them off!

For the past couple of years I have been working to build hyper-local professional networks. The biggest one I have created so far is Linking Raleigh, NC. It has over 10,000 members. I have learned, along the way, that it is so much better to give than to receive. This is probably the most important lesson I could have learned. It didn't take much to figure it out. I simply continued to follow that good feeling I got every time I heard that I contributed to a success of a member.

Recently, I became aware of an audio book titled "Networking with Millionaires" by Dr. Thomas Stanley. After reading the synopsis I figured I would get it and give it a listen. I got about 30 minutes into it and I was hooked. Dr. Stanley starts by talking about the success of an investment broker that goes from zero to hero simply by helping people in a specific industry and becoming committed to them. Along the way this broker builds a network of very wealthy professionals that's needs extend beyond his services. To me, what was so incredible about this story is how simple and easy it is for someone to do this. I know it is because I have been a part of a very similar scenario.

I highly recommend that you get this audio book, "Networking with Millionaires." You will be motivated and infused with new ideas like you never have been before.

You just left a killer networking event. It seemed like you could help everyone you met and visa versa. The exchange of ideas and contacts happened for you tonight. As you are driving home you are making mental notes as to who you need to follow up with in the morning. Jeez, you must have spoken to about fifteen people at great length. Are you remembering everything you said you were going to do? Probably not. So what do you do? Drop it? Wait for them to contact you? Nope. Chances are, you just lost a lead to a really big deal.

Do you really want to take that chance?

Do you really know who you are? If someone asked you to describe yourself in less than 30 seconds what would you tell them? Right now, think about what you would say.

What did you come up with? If you said something that someone else had told you about yourself then you should take the deep dive your personality. Figure out what it is about you that helped them have that impression about you. There is a really easy way. Take a personality test! Personality test are a great way to gain better insight into who you are. Typically, these test help you put words to the things you do and make it easier to communicate the type of person you are. They especially help with developing online profiles, cover letters and when going to networking events.

Professional and business networking can be really exciting. You're getting out there and letting people know you exist and you're marketing your business. In your mind your goal is to come across valuable to every person you meet. But what you don't realize that you may be telling people too much information.