Networking is the process of building and maintaining relationships. It's the development of a team that will support your efforts and the efforts of your network teammates to reach your respective goals. Networking is about forging bonds and sharing.

Networking Do's:

1. Believe networking will work
2. Target the right audience
3. Make a strong first impression
4. Network with those you emulate
5. Talk to everyone you meet
6. Learn to read people
7. Listen
8. Be willing to help
9. Be prepared
10. Find common denominators
11. Bring value
12. Be honest, courteous, and fair
13. Follow up
14. Keep referrals informed
15. Look at the big picture

Networking Don'ts:

1. Don't act desperate
2. Don't sell
3. Don't monopolize
4. Don't ask too soon
5. Don't solicit companies
6. Don't show off or brag
7. Don't interrupt
8. Don't just talk about you
9. Don't play it by ear
10. Don't misrepresent yourself
11. Don't promise what you can't deliver
12. Don't pry
13. Don't linger with "hanger-ons"
14. Don't overextend
15. Don't get discouraged

Jill Lublin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and best selling author of the books, Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic. She is the CEO of the strategic consulting firm Promising Promotion and founder of GoodNews Media, Inc. Jill hosts the nationally syndicated radio show Do the Dream, has a TV show called The Connecting Minute, and is working on her third book to be published by McGraw-Hill in 2008. She can be reached by phone at 415-883-5455 or by email at info@promisingpromotion.com.