How many of you are comfortable with the thought of walking into a room full of "suits" (men and women) that you don't know, sticking your hand out and confidently giving your 30 second commercial?

How many of you turn around and head for the door?

In the August, 06 edition of INC magazine, Reed Thompson tells of a true life experience that ended with him walking right back to his car rather than face a sea of unknown people.

And yet - we have to overcome that fear if we are going to get our name out there.

I once had a franchise owner tell me, "if you bring them in the door, I can sell them." Well, DUH.

How many of them just stroll in off the street? In a class I give about guerilla marketing, I tell the story of how I went about getting a date for my senior prom.

The boys started the process and I felt sure someone would ask me - I wore my mustard seed earrings that my Grandparents had given me (you may be familiar with the story of faith as small as a mustard seed). I wore those earrings for three weeks while I sat at home, confident that prince charming or a reasonable facsimile would come to the door.

NOT. Let's face it - we could pretty much ALL sell them if they came to the door, right? But that isn't real life. There are just too many competitors vying for our prospect's business.

As an entrepreneur, we learn quickly that we have to take the bull by the horns, so to speak and actively get our name out there. Thus the need to network.

Check out INC magazine's The Skinny on Networking Events before you head out the door.

By the way - I didn't get asked to the prom and that was the last time I sat at home. Are you waiting at home or are you ready to jump in feet first?