Labor Day is over and the kids have gone back to school. It's time for you to get back out there and start networking.

Believe it or not, a lot has happened in business over the summer. Many have lost their jobs, some have changted jobs and more have started small businesses. You probably are one of these people.

Yes, I know that you have a Linkedin account, a Facebook account, Google+, maybe even a Pinterest board and have embraced social media, but that doesn't mean you don't have to get off your CHAIR and actively introduce yourself to your business colleagues and potential prospects out in the real world.

People continue to do business with people they know, like and trust. Social media has made it possible for you as a woman in business to learn a great deal about your targeted prospects either before or after you have met them. But, old-fashioned glad-handing still is a great way to build a relationship.

I recently attended the 2012 HubSpot Inbound Marketing Conference to learn as much as I could about how to get the most from my blogging and social media accounts. The biggest take away for me was that social media makes building relationships that much easier as they provide so much information about my potential customers. However, one of the best opportunities of the conference was networking with other HubSpot users and potential customers. GET IT? A conference teaching the cultural shift toward inbound marketing and social media still provided optimal opportunity for the never too old-fashioned networking.

So, as a networking maven and your business coach, here are my 10 tips for business networking:

(1) Always wear a smile on your face as you enter an event and enter with the idea of looking for ways to help other people - helping others will always (eventually) come back to you in new business. People are attracted to friendly, caring people.

(2) Always write notes on the back of each business card you collect so you will remember the conversation.

(3) Always check out all the social media accounts of the potential prospects who've collected business cards from and then FOLLOW UP immediately within a day or two to suggest ways in which you might work together.

(4) Always set goals for yourself as to how many people you will introduce yourself to at a networking event. Make it a game with yourself or a colleague to see which of you can create the greater opportunities from the event.

(5) Always choose to sit with people you don't know. Even if you attend an event with an associate or friend sit separately -- you'll meet new people and tell a different story.

(6) Always make listening your top priority. People love to talk about themselves and active listening will allow you to hear exactly how youi can help and work with the contact.

(7) Always ask open-ended questions. Questions open the doors to needs and the right questions are golden opportunities for new business. (Open-ended questions are those that require more than a yes or no answer).

(8) Always remember that everyone you meet is a potential client or referral to one. NEVER assume someone is not a prospect. Prospects really do come in all shapes, sizes, colors etc.

(9) Always stand in the middle of the room rather than in the corners or at the bar - people stay away from the corners for fear of being cornered or stuck and the bar is not where business conversation flows. In the middle of the room, you will also be able to easily pivot into and out of conversations if necessary.

(10) Always carry plenty of business cards so that you can exchange one with everyone you meet - if the other person does not have a card you can have them write their information on the back of one of yours. (You would be surprised how many CEOs don't carry business cards).

Women entrepreneurs too often use the excuse of family responsiblities for not doing networking. Lack of networking WILL effect your business. Just as you want to do business with people you know, like and trust SO do your potential customers. Get out there -- make a name for yourself -- walk the talk -- have fun -- get involved -- be the leader you were meant to be -- your business will prosper and so will you.