One important reason for participating in networks in this way is to represent your business, and to make sure both that people are aware of you and that you can find oppor¬tunities for influencing, finding prospective new clients, and other forms of relationship development. It is not about selling, because social contacts generally find it embarrassing to receive unsolicited sales pitches at parties, and few people are good at delivering them. The aim is to identify prospective clients who may be interested in what your business can do, to create a relationship of rapport and trust with them, and to obtain their details,