Why do people like networking?

Really. is it because they are genuinely interested in people? Is it because they are competitive in nature and want to know more people than anyone else? Do they have a strategy in place? Because I hate these things. These things are a necessary evil. My friend Dave and I have a plan we stick to when we go to the digital networking-athons: Get there early. Stake a good spot. Never leave it.

And we have as yet to go to a networking event and not come back from it with a solid lead. I guess there is something about people who have a kick ass spot at a table. Maybe they mistake us for VIPs and not the early birds we really are. More often then not, people approach us and make conversation, and sometimes we like them and further the conversation, and sometimes we hate them and put an abrupt end to it by being purposely boring.

Panels are better because there isn't quite as much desperation hanging in the air. I tend to arrive as the "Networking!" portion ends, grab a seat towards the back, and make sure to strike up a conversation of some kind with a fellow back-of-the-room dweller. I like these types because they're probably thinking the same thing I am. Either that or they were so busy "Networking!" that they couldn't get to a chair on time. I'm learning to weed those types out or just quickly cut to the chase with no pretense that I actually want to get to know this person or give a shit what they do. Card exchange and then I leave them to their own "Networking!" devices. Which usually involves ditching their seat.

But networking really is a necessary evil. I do just as little as I can get away with. For the most part, I believe that my work should speak for itself and I usually make organic connections that way. But sometimes I have to admit to myself that I need to step away from the computer and actually meet people face-to-face. Social media is a great way to avoid actually talking to people. Ironic, I know.

My boss asked me recently if I wanted to become well known in the social media space. Do I? In theory, I guess I would. But the reality is that that would mean more networking and conferences, and I really don't want that. No, I think I'm happy in my little corner of the grid, doing my work and mocking networkers.