5 Ways to Make Real-Life Business Connections

In today's bot-infested social media hellscape (::cough::LinkedIn::cough::), it's more crucial than ever to maintain a strong business network of real people who know, like, and trust you. Here's how to do that:

1. Networking groups.

If you're just getting started in your career, or you're new to the area, networking groups are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people in casual business environments with low-barriers to entry. A quick Google search of "local networking groups" should deliver multiple options, depending on your region, of course, and you should be well on your way to mingling with local businesspeople at the neighborhood coffee shop, restaurant, or bar. A word of caution, though: networking groups, even those of the more-expensive BNI variety, tend to be rife with multi-level marketing reps. Prepare to be pitched on essential oils and weight-loss energy drinks (unless you swear by essential oils, in which case, who am I to judge?).

Pros: low-barriers to entry, good for those just starting out in their career or new to the area

Cons: multi-level marketing reps

2. Social groups.

Whether you're into slapping pucks at the ice rink or sharing your take on the latest 250-300 page installment of "Malcolm Gladwell makes a series of non-sequiturs seem related" in your neighborhood book club, social activities are a great way to help you establish tangible human connections with people who share your values. Business always has been, is, and will be, about people. People sell to people who buy from people. You're far more likely to make repeat visits to a particular car dealership if you happen to share an affinity for Swedish Death Metal with the General Manager. Many legitimate, fruitful business relationships begin at the farmer's market (see what I did there?), or the YMCA's Tuesday-Night Fencing Club. Participate in groups and activities that you enjoy, and you will meet people you enjoy. Some of them may be a future boss, employee, or customer. However, business connection buyer beware: some social groups may not take too kindly to you if you make it all about networking. Trust your instincts and mind social cues - save your essential oil pitch for after the main activity or event ;)

Pros: meet people you enjoy, who share your values, who may turn out to be valuable business connection; fun

Cons: not everyone wants to talk shop while socializing, so use common sense (speaking of which, can I take a few minutes to show you my new line of essential oils, Willy-B-B's Common Scents?)

3. Personal referrals.

The third way to make valuable, real-life business connections is both the most effective, yet most time-consuming and unpredictable method. Personal referrals come in many shapes and sizes, often from sources that you never in a bajillion years would have predicted would yield a career-changing opportunity. I got one of my first major job opportunities through a friend of a gym buddy of my Mom. I've landed some of the most lucrative contract-based gigs of my career through former colleagues who reached out to me, out of the blue, with an opportunity. The catch, of course, is that none of this is predictable. You can't depend on personal referrals as a steady-source of networking opportunities, but that's also the reason they're so valuable: they're rare. When someone personally refers a potential client or employer to you, they are signaling that they know, like, and trust you enough to put their own personal and/or professional reputation on the line to vouch for you.

Pros: incredibly effective and lucrative; practically free (if you're the patient sort)

Cons: unpredictable and infrequent; time-consuming

4. Business conferences.

What if I told you that there was a place you could go that combines the business focus of networking groups with the humanization of social groups and provides a backdrop of credibility that could greatly increase your chances of receiving a personal referral? Would you pass-out from excitement? If so, you should try my all-new Willy-B-B's Common Scents Lucious Lavendar(TM pending) line for fast-acting relief from general networking-induced hysteria. You should also definitely look into the nearest upcoming business conference relevant to your area of interest or current or future industry. Business conferences are the ultimate networking bonanza, complete with free SWAG giveaways, helpful (and some not so helpful) seminars and keynote presentations, and social events with people you'd actually like to make a connection with. The best part? There's no catch! You'll just need several thousand dollars to cover the cost of registration, travel, lodging, meals, and the expensive custom orthotic nursing shoes you'll need to prevent your feet from cramping up from all that walking to and from seminar rooms and vendor booths.

Pros: reliable, highly effective way to make valuable business connections in a releatively short period of time

Cons: $$$

5. Social media.

All I can say is, good luck figuring out who's real and who's been created by a machine-learning artificial intelligence bot.

Pros: grow your network logarithmically, in seconds; save on gas

Cons: prepare to be pitched by bots