Networking is one of the most effective ways to market your business. It gives you the opportunity to meet potential customers face-to-face and qualify them. I love attending network events. I meet new people and re-acquaint myself with connections in my network. I've also been watching myself recently to make sure that I'm not a “network hog”.

Network hog – noun: A person who monopolizes your time in an unnecessary conversation when they need to schedule an appointment with you to discuss the situation further.

We've all come across these types of people and may have been guilty of the crime ourselves. Network hogs make it impossible to get to know others at the networking event because they continuously want to talk to you. I observed this situation recently and felt awful for the other person. They were struggling to grow their business by approaching others but the network hog trailed them everywhere they went. If this is you, here are some ways to diffuse the situation.

Introduce Others
By this time, you know the network hog's business and who they are looking for. Introduce him/her to others that will help them grow their business.

Join A Circle
Don't be alone with the network hog! Join a circle of people and chances are him/her will stop talking to you. They will find someone else to talk to about their business.

Have A Signal
I try to attend networking events with other business owners and professionals. We have developed a rescue signal amongst each other when a network hog approaches us.

Have you found other ways to herd the networking hog away? Let us hear about it in the comments section below!

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