A networking event is never a place to try and make a sale. However, many good meaning sales representatives attempt to do this when they should be making contacts to build upon. This can be offensive and intrusive if you are strictly looking to meet new people.
It is not a reason to allow yourself to become frustrated with this individual. On the contrary, this could be a strong contact for you somewhere down the line. So, the key to working through this situation, not offending anyone, and giving yourself the possibility of favorable future returns, is to “let them down easy”, while staying linked.
Think about it, we know that business networking is about making new contacts and building relationships but some have not matured to that level yet and will take the same opportunity to try and sell something. That doesn’t dismiss the fact that they are a professional and have a network of contacts as well. Could someone in their network be a future client or partner of yours? You’ll never know if you abruptly dismiss and resent them because of your aversion to their sales pitch.
Your best bet is to simply have a tone of disagreement in your heart. This way, you know deep down that you simply don’t agree but can still proceed in a professional manner. There are a few ways to do this;
Don’t be rude or abrasive.
When you are out business networking and making new connections, a person approaching you in trying to sell you their services, which you are not in the market for, can easily put you on the defensive. It’s very easy to brush them off in a harsh or abrasive manner but you must resist this in order to remain polite and accommodating.
Ask who would be the perfect candidate for their product/service.
Simply, smile and explain that you are not in the market at this time for their service but would like a detailed profile of who would be the best client or customer for them. In addition, explain to them that if you could learn more, you would be happy to refer anyone that you new to them. This is not a dishonest act because if you really did learn more and knew someone in the market for their service, it would not be difficult to screen this individual before referring them.
Exchange numbers and offer to keep in touch.
Finally, you should naturally exchange your contact information and add this person to your list of new connections. You should keep in touch with this person as you would with anyone else. The possibilities are still infinite.
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