What isn’t networking?
Investing countless hours swapping pieces of cardstock (aka business cards) at social and business gatherings. If that were a truly successful way to generate business then you would not see the same people at every event. They would be too busy with all the business generated from the prior events.Source: Larry Arrance
That’s why I prefer to network by working together with other active people in project groups where I can see what others are doing, how they do it, if they are keeping their promises or handing in the results in time. I get a sense for the people. On the other hand I can present myself and my doings as a unique offering bringing new views, skills and technologies into the group. People might think of me much better in the future as they can refer to their experiance.