You're trying to make connections at a networking event. What mistakes should you steer clear of?

Don't be a networking nightmare! Avoid talking only about yourself and let others speak too. Be prepared and do your research before the event. Follow up with new contacts and be friendly and approachable. Don't forget to maintain your existing relationships. Remember, networking should be fun and natural, not forced.

Having been guilty of this, it is something I intentionally avoid doing. When you look for people who are new to a group or seem uncomfortable because they haven't been to network meetings often, introduce yourself. Engage them in a little conversation, such as "What's your superpower?", "What do you do outside of work?" or my personal favorite, "How do you give back to the community?" After you've learned a little about them, either ask them who they would like to meet and make that introduction or take them to meet people you know will also get them talking. I appreciate people who mentored me and used similar ideas to encourage me to come out of my shell. Now, I'm the great connector. (sung to the tune of the great pretender)

Go into each room with an open mind and don't assume people are not of value to you. You cannot possibly know who knows who & it's arrogant to think that you do. It's working 'through the room' as well as in the room. Don't sell, talk & let them talk to you (it makes you more memorable). Be a good listener, and while talking don't be scanning the room for the next contact. Be present. Remember to build the best relationships you need to make it about them and not about you. Even looking at these comments on this post, you can spot those who are there to 'sell their stuff' and not to build long term meaningful relationships. You fill your sales pipeline by offering value and being front of mind when they are ready to buy.

Work the room if someone isn't going to be a valuable connection move on and talk to the next person. Use your time in the room to identify and start the process of building a relationship. Don't tell anyone everything, use follow up calls and meetings to build on the foundations established at the networking event.

Desde mi experiencia, he aprendido que el verdadero valor de la creación de redes no está en la cantidad de contactos que uno pueda acumular, sino en la calidad de las relaciones que se construyen. Al principio, solía pensar que conocer a muchas personas en un evento me daría más oportunidades, pero con el tiempo me di cuenta de que las conexiones más superficiales rara vez llevaban a algo significativo. He descubierto que enfocarme en tener algunas conversaciones profundas y auténticas con unas pocas personas genera relaciones mucho más valiosas y duraderas. Estas conexiones son las que realmente marcan la diferencia en el largo plazo, tanto en lo personal como en lo profesional.

When we meet a complete stranger at a Networking Event the first few seconds of interaction are crucial. Opening ICEBREAKER questions will determine how the conversation progresses. YOU have all experienced it. The first words out of their mouth is "What is it you do?" It's the WORST icebreaker in the world, the networking equivalent of "Do you come here often?" Going straight into talking about business has the danger of the conversation drying up quickly. People make instant decisions about what you do, righty or wrongly, and assume things, usually wrongly. Much better to build some rapport and common ground early with the person, based on NON BUSINESS, and experience a much better, rewarding and productive conversation.