How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 8

Network with a Partner
You can cover more ground with a partner than you can alone.
With two people you can have twice the number of conversations and talk with twice the number of people.
After the event you can sit down and compare notes. Also, if you find a fit for your partner you can introduce them [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 7

Arrive Early / Stay Late
In order to maximize your networking investment, invest the time.
Be one of the first to arrive. This allows you to meet and help the event organizers out. Remember they brought all of these people together and they should have a fairly large network themself. The may start introducing you and allow [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 6

Part of the ritual at Networking Events is to exchange contact information by giving and receiving Business Cards.
A couple notes about your Business Cards

Make sure you bring plenty of them. Just imagine if you only brought 10 business cards with you and then the person you really wanted to meet, the person who can make your quota for the [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 5

Set specific goals 
 
Before you go into any Networking Event you want to set some specific goals.
 
You want to determine how many new prospects you want to meet.
Are they any specific people you really want to talk with.
 
When you go into the event with a specific game plan it will help keep you focused and you will be [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 4

Convey a Professional Image
Since you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, you want to make sure the impression you leave on your new networking partners is a good one. The following tips will help you do just that:
1. Smell Professional: Check your breath and carry breath mints/strips or gum. Be [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 3

Do your homework: Research the guest list
This is one of the secret strategies that only the master networkers implement.
Try to obtain a list of the people who will be attending the event. Then do a quick “Google” Internet search on each of the potential attendees. You want to find out what they do.  Find out [...]

How to become more effective at Networking Events – Part 2

Have the right attitude!!!
Most people attend Networking Events with the wrong attitude or focus. They are so concerned by what they will get out of the event that they forget the goal of attending, which is to make connections with people you can help. If you take a servent attitude to the event and focus [...]