Ruben Gamez did a good course on Mixergy.com (premium) called "Networking for Introverts". Although it says it's for introverts it's really just useful as a goo

Ruben Gamez did a good course on Mixergy.com (premium) called "Networking for Introverts". Although it says it's for introverts it's really just useful as a good example of how to build relationships that works. I spent the better part of my 20s thinking that networking is for losers. You know - you show up to those "networking breakfasts", everyone in their shitty, ill-fitting $120 suits from Lowes drinking orange juice concentrate and desperately trying to sell each other their shitty products (or worse, strike up worthless "strategic partnerships"). Then early in 2011 when I was looking to build a better business development strategy rather than the "hit n hope" method of deal flow that I'd been relying on as a freelancer for so many years I went to see a marketing consultant. One of the questions she asked was "so where do you do your networking?". I was like "networking? that's for losers!". She looked at me blanky and proceeded to school me. I've met so many great people since then. There are some fantastic resources on how to build and manage your networks and how to be a valuable member of your community, and how that in turn will build value for your business. If you aren't taking networking and building relationships seriously, you're missing out. No matter what business you're in, you're ultimately in the people business and knowning great people is always going to be an asset.