Networking 101

Lately I’ve been talking to a large number of people asking me how I do so well with networking.  I actually wrote a short course on how to network awhile ago and have touched on it in newsletters several times, but I wanted to take a minute and outline what I do to help network.

The most difficult situation is when you are walking into a room of total strangers.  If I don’t know of anyone attending the meeting, I contact the organizer and find out who will be there.  Then, I will contact a couple people and agree to meet up at the event.  This helps so much because when you walk in you have a purpose.  It also means when someone says hello, you can tell them you are looking for someone. If they know the person they will help you find them.  If they don’t, you now have a discussion topic.

I never carry a bag into a networking meeting because it just gets in the way.  I have my business cards in a hard-sided case in one pocket, a sharpie marker (mini) in the other front pocket, my cell phone and keys in another pocket.  That way I can easily pull out my card for someone, I put their cards in the other pocket so they don’t get mixed up, and I can write notes on any type of card with my sharpie.  I can also schedule a follow up meeting right there on the fly.

When I meet someone, I always write a note on the back of their business card.  It may just be “LinkedIn” or “sells widgets” but it is something so I have a hook to put in my follow up email.  And it helps me remember the person after the meeting.

I generally have a goal of a number of people to meet, connect with or specific people I want to meet. Having a goal keeps you focused on what’s going on and keeps your moving.

Try not to stay in one conversation too long unless it is with a good prospect.  Moving around will help you meet your goals, meet new people and be seen at the event.  Some people just need to see your face several times and then they will approach you!

Finally, I try hard to introduce at least three people in each meeting.  Sometimes that is just the person I am speaking with to someone I know walking by.  Other times I will meet two new people, and then offer to introduce them to each other.  We all go to networking events to meet people so being the person who is introducing others can be a huge relief to those not as good at networking.  If you can offer a reason to introduce them, even better!

What are your best networking tips?