Go into your networking event with a mission to make two connections. And don't put pressure on yourself beyond that. There's an art to networking.

Remember to assess the events you attend and understand what kind of revenue you're generating from that event. Put a time limit on it!

It's not about selling the people in that room. It's about the people knowing you so well, they talk about you and sell you to others. Same goes for you - you get to know them well enough to know how to refer to them.

If the people at the event are not doing it right, you're not going to have an effective group to network in. They may have nobody to introduce you to. Put a time frame on your efforts so you know how long you're going to try in that group.

Pick a group and go all in. Meet every member. Set up Zoom calls. You have to really go all in to be able to truly assess what's happening for you.

Have in mind who you really want to meet. Go into the conversation with the idea you need to know who THEY need to meet. And then figure out how to connect them to that person. You become their champion. They will remember that. And when it's time to ask for a favor they will remember you.

Figure out where those people go. What non-profit companies are they involved with? See if you can get introductions, invitations to events and then you'll have the opportunity to set up your person with a conversation.

Go into your conversations thinking about how you can help others and make connections for them. Business development is actually about helping others build their businesses.