You have prepared and planned for your networking event with almost military precision. You have arrived in plenty of time; you are relaxed and mentally prepared. Now what do you do? Do you rush in and hand out business cards to anyone who will take them? No! Don't do that. Here instead are nine great tips that will help you maximize your networking enjoyment and potential success.
Tip One - Meet your pre-arranged contacts
After you have been greeted by the event host, and if you previously arranged to meet with a sponsor or business colleague, make sure that you seek them out as promised. Do not spend all your time talking to the people you know well. Save this for another day. After all, everyone is really there to meet new people.
Tip Two - Get introduced to others
Use the host or people you already know to introduce you to others that you may want to meet. This method gets rid of the sometimes awkward ice-breaking stage.
Tip Three - Be the introducer
This is a great way to feel confident. Introducing people demonstrates your confidence and social grace. Pay particular attention to people who seem lost, shy or simply isolated. They will love the chance to be introduced to someone so after talking a little with them yourself, find out who they want to meet and then make the introduction. You will feel really good about this simple act.
Tip Four - Refreshments and snacks
These can be a nightmare. If the event has a sit-down meal element that is fine and you can eat and talk as you would in any other dining situation. If the refreshments and snacks are intended to be eaten whilst mingling then I would suggest that you stick to soft drinks only. Even handling a cup and saucer with coffee or tea can be tricky when you are expected to shake hands or kiss cheeks. Don't even get me started about people spraying crumbs of food when they talk or getting food in their teeth - leave the snacks for later.
Tip Five - Be careful with your promises
This may sound counter-intuitive but don't just give your cards out to everyone you meet. Only swap contact details with people you feel it is worth keeping in contact with. It is unfair and a waste of everyone's time to give the impression you want to connect with people you really don't want to connect with. If you promise to call someone or follow-up with some more information, then you had better make sure you do it. Make a to-do list and stick to it. This will help you protect your hard-earned credibility.
Tip Six - Be a fantastic listener
This is a really key social, business and life skill. Learn to listen well and attentively. Listen to what is not said as much as what is said. People love to be listened to and will like you all the more as a result. You will learn much more. We generally all have two ears and one mouth so use them in that ratio.
Tip Seven - Be helpful whenever you can
People are naturally drawn to helpful people. Offer advice only if asked and only if you are qualified to do so. Offer to send articles of interest to people or provide helpful contacts. Givers get, as they say, and what goes around comes around.
Tip Eight - Be yourself
It is hard to be anyone else so why bother trying. Be honest and don't fall into the trap of making false claims to impress people. They will find out eventually. It is very easy in the heat of the moment to inflate our own importance. It is not necessary. People will like you all the better for just being you.
Tip Nine - Smile
In my opinion, the best tool in the networking toolbox. You'll feel on top of the world. Smiling is infectious and people will be drawn towards you. You will put people at their ease. Smiling indicates confidence and control. People want to see that in potential suppliers and referral partners.
That's it for now. I hope you enjoy all your upcoming networking events. You now have more knowledge than many others so relax and enjoy meeting your potential new customers or referral partners. Listen carefully and openly to what they have to tell you and, more importantly, what issues they want to solve.
I'm Andy Pope and I am committed to helping individuals and organisation develop more effective face to face communication skills. I hope you enjoyed this article.
Check out my website at http://www.eryrglas.com/
Check out this new and valuable FREE report "What Is Effective Face To Face Communication & Why You Should Care" at http://eepurl.com/pjaz9
Hope to see you there soon!
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