- When you arrive at a networking event, avoid gravitating to people you know.
- Stop selling and start listening!
- Keep your business cards in the pocket of your coat or jacket.
- When receiving a card from someone, take a moment to write yourself a note on it such as where you met.
- During the course of a conversation, use the other person’s first name two or three times.
- Rather than telling a new contact all about yourself, spend your time asking them questions.
- When a person is talking to you, be sure to look directly at them.
- The best location to network is by a high-traffic area such as a main door, the bar, or near the food.
- Never approach someone if they are walking towards the restroom or if they have a phone in their hand.
- After the person has shared something with you, ask them another question about what they just said.
- Always keep one hand free to allow yourself to shake hands with people.
- As a way of demonstrating your networking skills, introduce each new person you meet to at least one other person.
- Never try to barge into a group of 4 or more people and try to initiate conversation with someone who is standing by themselves.
- Do not approach two people who are talking, as you may be interrupting an important discussion.
- When you meet someone for the first time, you have 48 hours to follow up with them before they will completely forget about meeting you.
- A networking event is not a time to see how many business cards you can acquire.