Everyone here knows they need to involve themselves in more business networking but not everyone is always sure how to go about getting started.

If at first you take the time to look into getting into a business networking group that has a lot of members that aren't in your industry vertical you'll not only have more fun, but you'll make better business networking connections. While having a business networking group inside your business vertical is good (thank you Active Rain!), it's really important to have one outside of it. After all, most of the business networking referrals you get will be from business networking contacts that do something different from you. You can get real good advice from network contacts inside your industry, but you probably won't get too many actual referrals, these you will get from your business networking contacts that you create with those that work in other industries, and if business referrals interest you, then you should be ready to refer business out as well, keep this in mind, people will refer to those that refer to them!

When you are attending a business networking event make sure that you are ready with a good 15 second introduction to you and your business that ends with a question back to the person you are talking to. Being engaging and allowing others to talk is the hallmark of a good business networking professional. Being shy at a business networking event will get you nowhere, so get out there and be ready to talk!

You might also want to be ready to explain what you've done for your existing clients to showcase your skills in your industry. This will give the people you are talking to a basis for referring business to you and will give them a sense of security that the clients they refer to you will be well taken care of.

In short the fundamentals of business networking are things you already know how to do:

• be pro-active
• be pleasant
• be communicative
• be present

I hope this helps you start out on your road to better business networking.