Beware SXSW Networking Syndrome

The problem is most networking is rudderless. The "networker" often doesn't have a plan or agenda and isn't thinking about what's in it for the other person.<p>Also, networking is an activity vs. progress trap, i.e., networking can feel like you did something useful (yay - new LinkeIn connection) even if that networking doesn't have any clear or discernible benefit to your startup. There are a lot of folks "playing business" vs. actually running a business in startup land and those folks are often networkers extraordinaire as it makes them feel like they are doing something to advance their cause.

I think networking is pretty important. Almost everything I have today I owe to connections I established with other people, either accidentally (over IRC, forums, etc) or intentionally, at a conference or local event. In a few specific cases, I established these connections by emailing someone to offer to buy them coffee after we had only corresponded via twitter or email.<p>The author calling these interactions meaningless rings hollow to me, though I can imagine how in his position, perhaps all his interactions with strangers are meaningless because they only want money.<p>I will agree with the premise that 'networking events' seem to be a waste of time, though. While you can have some interesting conversations at them, I can't think of a single lasting relationship I've forged with a peer at a networking-focused event, despite a lot of effort spent attempting to 'convert' the interaction into an ongoing conversation, so to speak. I still think trade conventions and parties and events like SuperHappyDevHouse can be incredibly valuable if you approach them in the right mindset, though.<p>To give a concrete example, I specialize in game development. Recently I was coworking with a client and we were trying to come up with possible solutions to a tough problem. We were stumped, so we pulled up footage of similar titles on youtube to try and understand how they had solved the problem. At some point during this process, it occurred to us: Why not just ask one of the people who wrote one of the games that tackled the same problems? So, a few minutes later we had looked up the credits from a game that came out back in 1992, and contacted the programmers on facebook. A half an hour later, one of them responded. An hour later we were talking with him on Skype and he answered our questions in 5 minutes - telling us exactly how to solve our problem!

I've heard people say "Make friends, not contacts.", but I don't think it's entirely true.<p>Yes, the most meaningful connections will not be the hundreds/thousands of people you meet at networking events, but there is still some value in having lots of short interactions and making a lasting impression.<p>There are people I only met once at a conference years ago, but if I talk to them again today they'll remember me. They might not remember anything beyond my name and that I was a decent guy, but that is still infinitely better than being a complete unknown.

Networking benefits actually depend on the context of how you network. For example, assume you are a new Startup and are actively seeking funding/investment, you run into an investor, greet him with a smile and a hello, and give him your card, and the next day, he lazily gives a brief glance at all the cards he's collected and somehow finds yours a little different. He Googles your start up and he finds it interesting and he decides on investing in your startup, and then bang, your networking has paid off. However, this is only a very optimistic situation, and needn't necessarily workout for the majority.<p>Apart from the indirect marketing, networking can also help you create familiarity - For example, it's much better to say "Hey Investor X, remember me? We met at Event Y and we had a drink together?" than saying "Hey Investor X, I don't know who the fuck you are, but I just want your money.." (in a very subtle way, ofcourse)<p>Forget investors, you actually get to know a lot of Designers, programmers, artists, etc. etc. if you attend these networking events, which in my opinion is one of the best perks you can get.<p>However, I wouldn't talk in favor of SXSW though, because of it's expensive tickets. I would suggest you go to eventbrite[1], find some interesting meetups happening in your place (which usually have an entry fee anywhere between FREE to &#60;$50) and mingle with a lot of people, as actually it will definitely pay off in the end - Either you will find some potential beta-testers, or someone to join your startup or someone to fund it. Worst case scenario, even if you don't find a co-founder/designer/teammate/investor, you now know 10 atleast different new people which is better when compared to rather sitting at home and doing nothing/coding alone.<p>This is my opinion about Networking in general and not just at SXSW.<p>[1]<a href="http://eventbrite.com" rel="nofollow">http://eventbrite.com</a>

Networking events are not a waste of time at all. Who says the point of them is to develop close relationships? It's about professional networking. You develop professional relationships at these events.<p>The "most interesting people abhor" events is an unfounded, baseless claim (with a bit of arrogance thrown in). I don't go to events often myself anymore, but that doesn't imply I am any more valuable a contact than someone who does.<p>"Networking syndrome" pul lease. Go ahead and continue labeling people, let me know how that works out for you.

The entrepreneur in question is trying to build a relationship with a techcrunch writer. That seems pretty reasonable.