What's the difference between networking and network marketing?

Years ago when I first started in network marketing, I read a book by a lady from Malaysia who left corporate office to join the multi-level marketing industry. And I always remember what she wrote, though this may not be in her the exact words:

- Did you work hard enough?

- Did you network hard enough?

- Did you think hard enough?

What Is The Meaning Of 'Network Marketer'?

I thought what she wrote was rather profound and in fact, I often ponder over the meaning of ‘network marketer’ which is made up of two root words: networking and marketing.

Today, let's discuss the first root word: 'networking' which is totally different from network marketing. What's the difference? More on this later.

I came across many network marketers who do not network due to a lack of knowledge of business networking which can be defined as a group of people having some kind of commercial relationship such as the relationships between boss and employee, buyer and supplier, and colleague and colleague.

Networking experts say that business networking functions best when individuals offer to help others to find connections, rather than just "cold-calling" on prospects.

On the other hand, network marketing in a nutshell refers to the 'word-of-mouth' method of marketing products and services through a network of customers or distributors.

If you’re wondering: What has networking got to do with network marketing?

My answer is: A lot.

That’s because each of us has only a limited number of contacts in our warm market which consists of our extended family, relatives, friends, neighbors, ex-classmates and ex-schoolmates, business associates and contacts and colleagues.

So, what can we do when we run out of prospects?

The short answer is: Go and network consistently!

Then the next question is: How to network? For more information, check out the author's resource box below.