10 Ways to have a Great Networking Experience no matter where you go.

1. Show up early & intro yourself to the host - ask if you can help in any way to make it a successful event. Being early allows you to stop at all the tabletops and say hello and it also gives you a chance to really take a moment to "own" the space. Know where the bathrooms and exits are - and know where to point people if they're looking for something. Know the lay of the land. It gives you instant confidence and you'll look like someone who belongs at this event...because....you do belong at this event.

2. Make it a point to help the hosts by taking charge of getting the networking going. Have you ever gone to a party hosted by a close friend, and the friend asks you to open the door for guests as they are still running around and handling logistics for the party? Tell yourself at your next networking event where you don't know anyone -- that the host of this event asked you to help them to get things going. By just changing your state - from feeling alone and without purpose to taking charge and helping to make this event - "eventful" for all, you at least doubled your chances of meeting more people and you've made it enjoyable for all.

3. Find people standing alone as they will be grateful for breaking the ice first. Many people go to these events alone and they don't know how to jump in. Simply step up and introduce yourself.

4. Everyone knows this event is to meet new people, so simply walk up to someone, say hello, ask about their business and what kind of people they'd consider would be leads so you can keep an eye out for them. This will get you thinking about how you can help them throughout the evening if you meet a prospect for them.....and then.....they'll follow the lead - and ask you the same thing.

5. When talking and networking with people while standing, make it a point to stand as if a third person were in the conversation - so that someone can step in - and you will leave this open position, until someone actually does step in. When they step in, open your body up so a fourth person could easily join in. Keep your body language open so others can join in .... during the entire networking event.

6. To get out of a one-on-one networking conversation that seems to have covered everything, invite someone over and introduce the two to each other and move onto the next person - standing alone. Or, simply excuse yourself by telling them you need to step away for a moment(they'll think you need to stop in the restroom). Or, be bold and say, "Hey, I know we are both here to meet as many people as possible. This conversation is really interesting, may we set up a time to continue it one-on-one over coffee?"

7. Bring a lot of business cards and keep your outgoing cards in your right pocket and your incoming cards in your left so you don't mix them up.

8. Work the room - time is real estate.

9. If someone is a perfect lead, set up a meeting - within the week of the networking event - so you can have a deeper discovery conversation. The goal is for you to help them first - through introductions and leads. Being giving and helpful is the best approach for networking.

10. Make sure you say goodbye when you leave, thank the hosts and at least regard people you've met before you leave as you walk out.

11. Follow Up. Follow Up. Follow Up.

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Fun Fact: Did you know most people know 300 people on a first name basis? With that in mind, if you attended a networking event with 100 people and everyone knows about 300 people on a first name basis, you are only one introduction away from 30,000 people and you are two introductions away from 9 million!

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About the Author: Eileen Kent is the Federal Sales Sherpa. If you are interested in doing business with the federal government, contact Kent who can perform a three-step program which includes training the team in federal sales, performing a deep dive analysis of contracting data so you will know who buys what you sell and then she will build for you a custom federal sales action plan around your focused agencies discovered during the data analysis phase. For more information, contact Kent at 312-636-5381.