Knowing yourspecific purpose is the first step to determining where you need togo, what you need to say, and with whom. (Photo:Thinkstock)

If you're serious about making more contacts and establishing betterrelationships, business networking will undoubtedly be part ofyour “fight plan.”

That means networking events, chambers, business meetings,conferences, mixers, clubs, groups, meet-ups, and even onlinecommunities will be a part of your networking campaign.

Related: A 15-step holiday social prospectingstrategy

Here are five business networking musts that youmust embrace to get the most bang out of your networkingbuck.

1. You must know your “specific” purpose.

Why are you there? Are you looking to attract more business?Land a job? Learn about an industry or profession? This may seemobvious, but how about the specifics? As in your specific purpose?Knowing your specific purpose is the first step to determiningwhere you need to go, what you need to say, and with whom. Whatindustry, profession, market segment, niche, dynamic, demographic,and geography are you targeting? Just saying you're looking formore customers or clients isn't enough information to bemeaningful. Be specific. The devil is in the details!

2. You must communicate powerfully.

Be prepared with conversation starters and great openingquestions. Have your elevator speech prepared so you can speakintelligently about your work and specifically what you want.(There's the specifics thing again.) When meeting others,be genuinely interested in learning about other people with awillingness to help them achieve their purpose. When you listen toothers, it's more likely they'll listen to you. That'scommunication! Be clear on next steps – if there are next steps.Tip: Make the next step yours!

3. You must be active.

Don't expect to just show up and have business simply fall intoyour lap. It doesn't work that way. This is the work aspect ofnet-work. Become a member. In fact, become an activemember. Head up a committee, volunteer to take on tasks, makepositive suggestions, solve problems, and become a go-to person.Being active drives activity and also attracts the right people toyou. Shakers and movers like to hang out with shakers andmovers.

4. You must follow up.

“Follow up” simply means an attempt to continue a conversationafter the event is over or to follow through on a promise. It couldbe a promise to make an introduction to an important contact, apromise to send important information, or a promise to coordinate afuture meeting. Without follow up, nothing else happens. Make sureyou're the one that makes the promise to follow up. Keep in mindthat follow up starts at the meeting, not after the meeting. Somake your promises before shaking hands and saying yourgoodbyes.

5. You must stay in touch.

Out of sight is out of mind. Believe it! Staying in touch is thekey to getting to know others better and ultimately developingimportant relationships. After meeting someone, make a promise tospeak again in a week or a month. Mark your calendar and make ithappen. Take it upon yourself to develop a connection, but at thesame time take it slow. There is no easy way to say this, thedevelopment of a genuine relationship must “feel right” and takestime. Relationships don't just happen by themselves. Developingmutually beneficial professional (and yes, personal) relationshipsrequires a lot of work, so invest the time to stay in touch withthe right people for the right reasons.

Here's another must for no extra charge.You must not sell. Focus on learning from andhelping those you meet. Not selling them your products andservices. The contacts you make are not there to buy from you.They're looking to grow their business just like you. Of course, ifthey become your client, that's a different story. Collaborate,compare notes, and look for ways to help each other. Over time, youmight refer one another business. How cool is that?

Put these musts into practice today and youmight just generate more prospects, more referrals, and morebusiness!

More great tips for building yourbusiness: 

• 4 things scarier than a prospectingcall
• 10 basic tips to improve your sales prospects thisyear
• 5 great habits to grow yourbusiness

Michael Goldberg is a speaker, consultant, and the founderof Knock OutNetworking. He's also the author of “Knock-OutNetworking!”