In the world of business, connections (a.k.a. "hookups") are key to being successful or a complete failure.  Any networking you make with people can make or break any project you're involved in.  Whether it is starting a website, recording a song, or well...writing a book.  Not everyone will go through the trouble of connecting you to the right network.  Not everyone will go through the trouble of helping you on your project. 

That's not a problem. At least I can immediately recognize that there is no commitment involved.

The actual problem stems from people who say they are ready to "hook you up...seriously" but instead back out when the opportunity comes to team up for the actual work of the project.  There are many people that do this but those who've ended up wasting their time waiting for this hookup are the losers.  Victims of this situation need to understand that good people do this all the time.  It just so happens that good people can also be unreliable and lazy.

So why do people say they want to hook you up but can't?

1. People like to get others excited and the easiest and cheapest way to do it is by talking.  Since talk is cheap, it can bring out interesting conversations in which one idea comes after another.
   
2. People like to humor others during the "moment of the hype" - a time where people feel they need to say something which makes them feel like they're contributing to the cause of the project.

How do you recognize a real hookup from a fake one?

1. "Hey! I know a friend that can..." Forget it.  Unless it's their mom, dad, brother, or best friend.  95% of the time, it'll never happen.  Rarely will you find friends that have friends who will go out of their way to help out a stranger. Unless the person hooking you up is your best friend, family, or people from their own company don't expect anything.
   
2. True hookups come from those who truly believe in your idea and do not fashion or sprinkle it with any of their own ideas.  You can tell when you engage on any conversation.  If the person has serious enthusiasm, they will ask you more about why you're doing the project and not how much money you'll make out of it.
   
3. Most of those who truly have the hookups don't usually go around telling people that he/she can "hook you up".  It is usually the quiet and reserved ones that stay away from people who ask for hookups simply because they know they will be asked to hook up others.
   
4. Fake hook up: "Yo holmes, you know I got this.  I've been in da game for how long!"
   
   Real hook up: "Lemme check what I have going on. I'll get back to you."
   
5. "Hi, I'm from <somecompany>...I've heard about your <yourproduct>.  Let me give you my business card." These are the ones that you'll want to hook up but be careful with because they know when you hook up with them, you're really hooking them up.  People need to understand that other businesses lurk for products...not you.

When looking for someone to connect to and do business with, that person needs to be reliable, trustworthy, have a common vision,  and have a great work ethic.  Of course it helps if the person is easy going and has a sense of humor. Nevertheless, those are key factors to having a sucessful partnership.

If you can find someone like that who can work with you, you have a real friend and a real hookup.