Business networking 22 tips

1. 8/21/2015 Business Networking Tips
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Networking events have been
part of the business and
social scene for as long as
anyone can remember. For
many people, they make a trip
to the dentist seem fun. For
others, networking events are
enjoyable, but because of
who they have to spend time
with, they wish they had
scheduled a visit to the dentist
instead.
Regardless of your feelings
on the subject, when
attending an event, it's
important to have the perspective that your goal should be to help others first.
Unfortunately, it's an old cliché that is often
left at the door. The next time you're headed
to a networking event, keep in mind the
following simple, helpful rule: after it's all said
and done, you want to have earned the right,
privilege, honor, and respect to be able to
meet with them again. This is not a license to
sell yourself, but an opportunity to build
relationships.
22 Networking Tips
1. When you arrive at a networking event,
avoid gravitating to people you know. You
should initially thank the host and then
immediately find someone new to introduce
yourself to. This will help keep you in the
right frame of mind as to why you came.
2. Stop selling and start listening! When you
meet someone for the first time, use it as an
opportunity to get to know them. Don't try to
sell them anything. Rather, begin to establish
a relationship.
3. Keep your business cards in the breast pocket of your coat, a shirt pocket, or in an
outside pocket of your purse so they are easy to access and in good condition.
4. When giving a person your card,
personalize it by hand writing your cell
number on it. This will cause the recipient to
feel that they are receiving something
special.
5. When giving or receiving a business card,
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2. 8/21/2015 Business Networking Tips
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be especially careful when dealing with
people from outside the US as many cultures
treat them with very high regard.
6. When receiving a business card from
someone, take a moment to write yourself a note on it such as where you met. If you do
this while you're still talking to the person, it will help convey your sense of personal
connection.
7. During the course of a conversation at a networking event, use the other person's first
name two or three times. People always like to hear their own name and it will help you to
remember it when the discussion is over.
8. Rather than telling a new contact all about yourself, spend your time asking them
questions. It's amazing how much you'll learn!
9. After you meet someone for the first time, use the back of their business card to jot a
note about something you learned from the conversation and the date and place you met
them. Recording the information will give you something to talk to them about the next
time you see them.
10. Connect with the person you're talking to by tilting your head as you listen to them. It is
an effective body language technique which communicates that you're paying attention to
what they're saying.
11. When a person is talking to you, be sure to look directly at them. Giving a person full
attention with your eyes will encourage them to share more.
12. When giving someone eye contact, remember it's not a "stare­down" contest. Give the
person 3 to 5 seconds of eye contact and then look away briefly before returning your
focus to them again.
13. The best location for networking is by a high­traffic area such as a main door, the bar,
or near the food.
14. Never approach someone if they are walking towards the restroom or if they have a
phone in their hand. Wait until they have returned to the networking area or put their
phone away.
15. After the person has shared something with you, ask them another question about
what they just said. This shows that you're paying attention and that you care about what
they're telling you.
16. Always keep one hand free to allow yourself to shake hands with people. This means
that you shouldn't eat and drink at the same time. Remember, you're there to network, not
eat a full­course meal.
17. As a way of demonstrating your networking skills, introduce each new person you
meet to at least one other person.
18. Never try to barge into a group of four or more people. Come along side of the group,
but do not attempt to enter into the discussion until you've made eye contact with
everyone and a minimum of two other people in the group have said something.
19. Do not approach two people who are talking, as you may be interrupting an important
discussion.
20. Initiate conversation with someone who is standing by themselves. They'll be happy to
have someone to talk to them and, as a result, will many times open up with valuable
information.
21. 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.
22. A networking event is not a time to see how many business cards you can acquire.
Rather, it is a time to develop a few relationships that have potential.
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3. 8/21/2015 Business Networking Tips
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4. 8/21/2015 Business Networking Tips
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22 Tips to Use at Your Next Networking Event

5. 8/21/2015 Business Networking Tips
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