How To Make The Most Out of a Business Networking Event

You're not alone. Most people are uncomfortable walking into a roomful of strangers. But networking at business events can help you grow your business, as well as allow you to do hands-on marketing research. Learning to mingle and to follow-up with business networking contacts is crucial to your self-employment success. The following techniques will assist you in connecting effectively with others.

Before the Event

Come prepared to network by bringing business cards, a pen and a small notebook. Make sure you eat before you go. If it's a cocktail party, or finger foods are being served during the networking portion of the meeting, it's better to carry only a drink, instead of trying to juggle a plate of food.

Know your goals: What is your purpose for attending this particular event? To meet certain people? To find prospective customers? To find a resource you need? Meet a new friend? Nurture existing relationships? Bring 20 business cards and promise yourself you won't leave until you've given out all the cards. Ask for other people's cards if you sincerely want to keep in touch with them. Not everyone you meet will be a good resource.

Ask the event host about dress code. Some events are Business Formal and people will be wearing business suites. Some events are Business Casual and there will be a mix of more relaxed styles. By knowing in advance what to expect, you maximize the feeling of being part of the group.

At the Event

First, arrive early. Get there early when the group is small and manageable. Enter the room with a smile. Even if you feel nervous, "act as if." If you have a smile on your face, you will be perceived as approachable, enthusiastic, and friendly. (And you'll feel a whole lot better, too!) Make sure you mingle. Do not isolate yourself with only your friends or colleagues you know. Move around. Spend no more than 5-6 minutes talking with any one person.

Ask your host to introduce you to people that you want to meet, or to get you started in a group where you know no one. If they have a Greeting Committee or Ambassadors, find out who they are and ask for help with introductions. Reach out to people standing by themselves, introduce people to each other. (As a side note, if you are part of a group or association that does not have a Greeting Committee, offer to become a one-person Greeting Committee. It gives you the perfect excuse to introduce yourself to everyone who walks in the door!)

When you meet a person, shake hands, and repeat their name. This not only helps you remember it, but it shows that you're making an effort to hear the name properly. Wear a nametag that is easy to read and is descriptive of you. Wear it on your right shoulder so that people can easily see it when they shake your hand. Create, practice and use a description of yourself and your work that can be said in 30 seconds or less. Know how to describe your work in one or two sentences. (This is commonly known as an Elevator Speech because it reflects what you can say in the time it takes to get from the ground floor to the top floor in an elevator.)

Listen more than you talk. Remember that there is nothing more flattering than someone who listens carefully and shows sincere interest in other people. Ask questions and listen to the responses so that you begin to understand the person. This also helps you to identify who might be a potential client for your own products and services. Take notes to help you remember what people have said. When you get back to the office, put all this information into your contact management software.

After The Event

Once you have someone's business card, make sure you follow up with them within 24 hours of the event. If there's an obvious win-win connection with someone you've met at an event, call them up and invite them to lunch to explore the connection further. When you write the networking event into your calendar, also add one or two hours the following day into your calendar for follow-up so that you know you have time to complete the task.

When you look upon networking events and business functions as an opportunity to meet new people, do some market research, and find potential clients, it can become a joy instead of a chore. Going in with a game plan makes you feel like you can really make the most of the event.

About The Author

Karyn Greenstreet is a self-employment expert and small business coach. She shares tips, techniques and strategies with self-employed people to maintain motivation, stay focused, prioritize tasks, and increase revenue and profits. Visit her website at www.PassionForBusiness.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Do You Want to Know the 8 Tips to Selling More Products?

So often sales men and woman are the very people... Read More

The Answers (1 - 5) Are Here !!! - Challenge Yourself - Evaluate Your Selling Skills

"THE ANSWERS (1 - 5) ARE HERE!!!"Question 1) List the... Read More

Youve Got a Great Business, but Nobody Cares!

I would like to share a disturbing little secret with... Read More

What is Lead Generation?

Lead Generation is vital to all businesses. All companies try... Read More

I Am A Habit

JOHN DI LEMME on "I Am A Habit"H-A-B-I-T...When 95% of... Read More

Dont Call Me

The March, 2004, issue of Psychology Today reports on an... Read More

Why You Buy, Part Three

Still more discoveries from the recent studies in behavioral economics:Over-Valuing... Read More

Write Fundraising Letter Overlines That Donors Cant Resist (Includes Samples & Examples)

The headline that appears over the salutation in a fundraising... Read More

Incentive Dilemma:

Manufacturers and distributors are rolling out more sales incentive programs... Read More

Sales People have an advantage as entrepreneurs

Zig Ziglar use to say in seminars and on tapes... Read More

The Risk of Being A Yes-Man

Sales is all about negotiating. You are negotiating from the... Read More

Sorry, But Im Not Buying From You!

Former General Electric CEO and legendary manager, Jack Welch, nailed... Read More

Create A Killer Product by Writing Your Sales Letter First!

You may not realize this, but when if you are... Read More

10 Incredible Ways To Sell Your Products Now

1. Make your reader visualize they have already bought your... Read More

The Importance of Good Sales Leads

An important part of your business plan should be to... Read More

Looong and Boooring Sales Letters

You have all seen them,the sales letters that never ends.... Read More

How to Write Effective Selling Proposals

Depending upon how much you enjoy writing, writing sales proposals... Read More

SPIN, Relevant To Both Salesmanship & Advertising!

Neil Rackham turned the world of high-ticket salesmanship on its... Read More

Model Dell: The Art of the Affiliate Coupon

Along with having an innovative supply chain, there's another reason... Read More

Your Direct Mail Sales Letters Must Differentiate You

For two winters I heated my house with an old... Read More

Future Business Key Element In Sales

A challenge facing many businesses is how to maintain a... Read More

Sales Training from the Ghostbusters

Picture this scene from the 1984 smash comedy movie from... Read More

Creating Intense Emotions That Motivate People

Ever wish that your presentations could be as much fun... Read More

Sales Copy Tips

Writing good sales copy is not an art, it is... Read More

What is a Pitch?

I've been training in countries outside the U.S. recently, and... Read More

Building an Action Plan

Going into your workday and waiting for things to happen,... Read More

Warming Up To Cold Calls

Will you do just about anything, including sending out hundreds... Read More

Selling - Trade Shows Vs. Regular Sales Calls

Remember those school exercises that started "Compare and contrast....yada yada... Read More

If I Wanted To Sell For A Living, I Would Of Majored In It In College

By a show of hands, how many of you grew... Read More

Planning to Realize Your Goals

Recently, I wrote about about creating specific, compelling goals that... Read More

Selling Is Not A Dirty Word

Selling--a word that strikes terror in writers and professionals. We... Read More

A Simple Truth - Authentic Sales Tip

A Simple TruthDo you have the right stuff?Are you consistent... Read More

Caring - The Secret Sales Strategy

Sales information resource Just Sell, calls caring "sales love". Here's... Read More