As a member of Rainmakers, BNI, and a number of online social networks, I am constantly asking and being asked this question: who do you want to meet?

This is a great way to network because it helps others understand how to help you and who the specific person is that you want to meet. However, is it enough to just meet lots of people, even if they are good prospects for you? What is your game plan for approaching them? How scalable is it to meet a lot of people if you don’t have a system?

Here are some things I think about as I meet people:

1. How is this introduction getting me closer to my goals?
2. Who is in this person’s network?
3. Is this person a prospect, referral partner, supplier, friend, or something else?
4. Who introduced us and will this introduction help that person?
5. Is there any way that I can help this person?
6. Is this type of introduction repeatable and scalable?
7. What will I do when I meet this person?
8. Is there any indication that this person wants to talk to me?
9. Do I already have someone in my network who fills this particular need?
10. Is this good timing for me?

These questions help keep me accountable and on target when I am being introduced to someone. So much of the time I see people with an interest in “meeting people” but when it comes down to it, they don’t have a specific reason, plan, or strategy to figure out which introductions make sense or which ones to pursue.

It’s perfectly ok to decline introductions if they don’t align with your business goals. It doesn’t mean that you don’t like that person or that you’re mean and selfish. It just means that there are only so many people you can meet without sacrificing your productivity and so it’s important to be strategic and methodical about who you meet.

Meeting new people is great. It can lead to new customers, referral partners, suppliers, and friends. However, make sure your strategy goes beyond just looking for introductions. Help your network understand your needs and be strategic about who you meet.