| What's networking all about? You have been to | | | | outside or close to the door. This will put you at |
| events with important people you wanted to | | | | an advantage to capture a few minutes attention |
| meet. | | | | before the event gets in full swing. |
| Yet when the event was over you realized you | | | | Don't monopolize the person's time. Ask for a |
| never had a chance for face time and you came | | | | later meeting if possible. |
| away nothing. It gave you the general feeling that | | | | Smile at every one and look as if you are |
| the event was a waste of time. Don't let that | | | | enjoying yourself. You don't want to appear ill at |
| happen again. | | | | ease or desperate for someone to talk too. |
| You need to have a plan of attack before the | | | | When greeting someone ask a few icebreaker |
| event. Spend a few minutes asking yourself why | | | | questions before getting down to the nitty gritty. |
| you are attending the event and then strategize | | | | Encourage other people to talk about themselves |
| to achieve that goal. A few extra minutes | | | | or their business. |
| advance planning will make the event worth your | | | | If it's appropriate, offer to get somebody a drink. |
| time. | | | | In most cases, it will be a cash bar so be sure to |
| Inside tips on get the most out of your | | | | carry plenty of money. |
| networking: | | | | Introduce people as though they were the most |
| Plan to arrive early. Registered guests will have | | | | important people in the world. |
| name badges. Look at the badges on the table. | | | | Never stand between a potential contact and the |
| They are usually alphabetical order. Peruse the | | | | bar. |
| badges to determine who is coming and whom | | | | Try to position yourself under lights where you |
| you want to meet. | | | | are more visible. |
| Pay special attention to the guest, speaker or VIP | | | | Best bet: stand near the food because people are |
| whose name tags will generally be separated and | | | | relaxed when eating. |
| have ribbons or some identifying marks. Badges | | | | Present your business card at the end of the |
| may be segregated by vendors vs. users too. So | | | | conversation. |
| don't forget to look for that identification. | | | | Practice small talk, get interesting sound bytes |
| Make a short list of people you want to meet. It | | | | from the news that will engage people in initial |
| is helpful to ask the chairperson in advance to | | | | conversation, break the ice then launch into your |
| mention that you would like to meet some of the | | | | pitch. |
| special guests. If that isn't possible, write a note | | | | Remember the golden words "what in it for me." |
| on the back of your business card and leave it on | | | | (That would be the person you are talking to. not |
| the person's name tag asking for a few minutes | | | | yourself). |
| of time. | | | | Keep these tips in mind as you schmooze your |
| If you're hoping to meet one person in particular, | | | | way into a successful relationship. |
| and you know what the person looks like, wait | | | | |