Twenty Must Do Networking Tips

After going to numerous networking, charity and social events since December 2011, I have twenty solid networking tips that all networkers and professionals should know or need reminding when attending their next business or social event. There are a lot more than twenty networking tips but this should be a good start and we will post another twenty business networking tips in the future. 

1. Use a business card app to connect with your new contact.

2. If you forget someone’s name at an networking event, instead of asking what’s their name, ask them “remind me your name”.

3. Networking is like dating, the more you ask about the person the more they will think this is the best conversation ever and that you actually care about their business.

4. Don’t brag. Your goal is not to derail the conversation but to participate in it, while offering some memorable information about yourself that will be of interest to your new contact.

5. If you’re in a job search, ask your networking contacts for names of friends in other departments or companies. When you’re hiring, ask people on your networking list if they know of any suitable candidates. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your contact list at home, just in case of unexpected job loss or a need for information or assistance on weekends.

6. It’s far more important to understand your future contacts needs before you tell them about you.

7. Focus on finding people that are relevant to you. Decide if the interests that you share with someone are worth pursuing.

8. Make sure you introduce everyone in your company and make sure you’re well groomed and dressed for the event.

9. Diversify your network. Connect with people on a variety of industries from a wide range of areas.

10. Keep the introductions short because everyone has a short attention span and are there to network.

11. The best way to meet business professionals at networking or social events is to hang around people you already know. This is a good way to get a warm introduction and connected with professional you want to meet.

12. Step outside your comfort zone and join other groups or associations even if it means paying for a membership. This would be a good way to expand and diversify your network.

13. Bring about 30-40 business cards depending on how many are attending the event.

14. For those who don’t drink alcohol, buy something that looks like a cocktail, such as a soda water with lemon.

15. You don’t always have to wear a suit and tie; slacks and dress shirt and is enough to attend any formal event.

16. The 50/50 rule: Make a simple goal of meeting 6-8 new people on a personal level at the event. For example: If you meet someone you know say hi to them, do some chatting and then move on to another person you don’t know. Then meet someone you know and then move on to another person you don’t know and repeat. This is a good way to greet your current contacts but also get to know new people. Try to keep the conversations to a minimum around 10-12 minutes and no more than 8-10 people. This way you have time to have some quick conversations with other people and time to enjoy yourself.

17. If you’re part of a group or association that does not have a greeting committee, offer to be a one-person greeting committee. It gives you the perfect excuse to introduce yourself to everyone who walks in the door!

18. Crash a group of women or men and say something funny like: There’s a rule where no more than two women can gather in a group at a networking event without having a male in the group or vise-verse if you’re a female do the same. It will loosen them up and also give you a chance to introduce yourself to the group.

19. Make sure your name and company is written clearly on your name tag.

20. Another good way to meet everyone before you start networking is to volunteer to help sign and check in guests at the event. This will help you decide who you want to talk to at the event.

To sum it up networking is pretty simple, not a waste of time and a great way to cultivate and grow lasting relationships. If you put the time into it and follow a few of these tips you will see better results in your network, quality of connections and growth in your business.

Carpe Diem,

Michael Td Roberts