But that's not business networking. Oh, yes, it is. You can find people that you have an authentic connection with, without betraying your emotional state to try to be in 'networking mode.' You can be your real self, and build trust with them.

And I bet you quite naturally end up telling each other about your businesses. And with that trust established at a deeper, more authentic level, there's a much better chance that they'll refer potential clients to you.

Is there more to it than that? Well, sure, there's always more. Let me share a couple of tips with you.

Keys to Heart-Centered Networking. • Don't go for clients, go for referrals.

If someone you meet at a networking event is a potential client, they'll self-identify, or it will become obvious during a conversation.

So, take the pressure off you and them, and instead look for people to whom you would refer clients, and who would refer clients to you, too.

• Find your genuine curiosity in humanity.

The other person is a human being. Ask them questions about themselves. Ask questions about their business, about their family, about anything that's genuinely interesting to you.

And listen. Asking and listening seem like no-brainers, but when you get into 'networking mode' when you're only focused on 'getting business' it can be easy to forget to connect and learn about the person in front of you.

• Backend. Backend. Backend.

Networking is about building a long-term connection with people, not about immediate gratification. So, do yourselves a favor and get a good contact manager that will help keep track of the people you meet, and remind you to send thank you cards and 'nice to meet ya' emails.

I'm horrible at sending cards and emails- but if the contact manager 'bing' pops up in my face with a task to send an email or a card, I'll do it. Make it easy.

I have a favorite contact manager myself, and it's web-based. It's by a company called 37 Signals, and it's called Highrise: http://www.highrisehq.com

I happen to like it because it's web-based. Which means that our assistant can access it, and support me with tasks really easily. And I can access it even from a hotel while at a conference, or other event.

Networking can be fun, and it can fit who you are. You don't have to leave yourself at the door to have networking benefit your business, and your heart.

Oh, and one more resource: Biznik You know, I've been thirsting for a real way for online and in-person networking to really work together. It rarely does. And yet, it can, and does, on Biznik.

Biznik is specifically for indie business owners, with this tagline: "Business networking that doesn't suck." How great is that?

I've been really impressed with the quality of the people there, and I've met the co-founders, Dan and Lara, and they are very cool, all about supporting people to get what they need.

I wrote a blog post about it, come and read it.

Or check Biznik out directly. (This is not an affiliate link. It does keep track of how many people I've sent their way, but I get no financial compensation whatsoever.

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