When I was young I would often go out and try new things. I took up this hobby or that game and when I was not good at them right away I would just walk away to find something new to do, maybe something I would be instantly good at.  What I learned later in life was simply that I had to be committed to something long term if I ever expected to get good at it.

Like most things that you want to be good at, building your network it no different, it takes time, commitment and education. Building a network that works requires that you build relationships built on trust.  It means that you have to show up consistently in a way that allows people to see you as someone they trust.

So ask yourself, when you are out doing face-to-face networking are you showing up as a trust-worthy person? Remember people form their opinion of you within the first 20 seconds after they meet you. If that is indeed the case, then what does your personal appearance say about you?  Are you dressed appropriately for the profession you are representing?  When you introduce yourself to someone new do you inspire them to get to know you better?

There are many things that go into inspiring trust in others and it’s important that you pay close attention to each of them.  Here are 5 very easy things that you can begin to pay attention too.

1. Dress for the referrals you want to receive. Look like someone I could feel completely comfortable referring to others.

2. Smile! People are attracted to people who wear a sincere smile and that smile reaches all the way up to your eyes.

3.  Learn how to shake hands. After surveying 12,000 men and women for my book “Business Networking and Sex, not what you think” I learned that a poor handshake has a definite negative effect on both men and women. As a woman no one most likely taught you how to shake hands, so I suggest that you practice a good handshake.

4. Be on time. I don’t connect people to others in my network when they show up consistently late. I don’t trust them to show up to my clients on time either.

5. Do what you say you are going to do, every time you say you will do something and you don’t follow through, it is a drop in the negative button that puts you further away from trust.

If you want to build a six-figure network you have to learn to do the things that inspire trust in you; without trust you have nothing.