How To Make Your Next Networking Event A Success

There are people who are natural born networkers - those people that can make conversation in any situation and have no problem walking up to complete strangers. This article is for the rest of us - networking tips that help reduce the stress of attending a networking event and will have you walking away from the event with prospects.

Look into and attend local networking events. Of course it isn’t enough to just attend the event you must actually actively participate and “network”.

Here are some tips on making your networking event a success:

•Show your interest by making eye contact when meeting new people.

•Smile – A friendly face is inviting.

•Don’t be afraid to approach people you don’t know. Extend a handshake and say "Hello, I don't think we have met.”

•Don’t spend the evening, talking with people you already know and don’t attend the event with a “friend.” You will less likely to strike up conversations with strangers if you can stay “safe” with your friend.

•Focus on the person you are meeting. Ask what they do – be genuinely curious about their business.

•Listen - be attentive and interested in the other person.

•Be ready and Know what you do. Rehearse your 30 second answer before hand but make sure you don’t sound like a pre-recorded message.

•Set goals before you go. For example: Set number of contacts you would like to make. If you can get a guest list prior to attending, know who you want to meet.

•Look your best. Dress appropriately for the event and make sure you are neat, clean and have fresh breath. (If there are refreshments available avoid garlic and onions)

•Ask for a business card. Make sure you get the information you need to make further contact. A good trick is to wear something with good pockets. Keep business cards collected in one pocket and your business cards to hand out in another. This will save you from having to shuffle through your cards.

•Be prepared with dead air questions in case there are pauses in the conversation. "How long have you belonged to this organization?" "What are these events usually like?" "How can I help promote your business?" "Can I refer clients to you?"

•Take a spot near the entry door. Greet attendees as they arrive and welcome them to the event. After learning about the attendees you will be in the position to make introductions around the room. Make yourself the unofficial host and everyone will remember you the next day!

•The most important tip is to FOLLOW -Up with everyone you meet at the event. Send off a personalized note or make a phone call to invite good prospects for a coffee.

Building Business Relationships in a Roomful of Strangers

You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry conference with you arm outstretched and say: “Hi. My name is…..” And you’re off and running.

There’s an art to successful networking and business development. Rather than just exchange pleasantries you can gather information, gain allies, and explore potential opportunities. Here are ten tips to help you connect with people immediately, develop meaningful conversations and move on to profitable relationships.

1. Come prepared. Have two or three openers that you can use with a variety of people you meet. That way, you won’t fumble for something to say when you first meet someone. Some examples: “What drew you here today? “Have you seen any good movies lately?” “What did you find particularly interesting about the presentation?”
2. Do your homework. Before attending a meeting or networking event, find out the names and backgrounds of key people who will be there. Also note any recent achievements that they have attained. When you arrive, look for someone official and request an introduction to one of them. Offer your congratulations and ask a question that will get them talking about their background or achievement.
3. Create an agenda. People often dread small talk situations because they say, “I don’t have anything to talk about” or “I don’t know what to talk about.” Actually the problem is that there have too much to talk about—an entire universe of topics—not nothing to say. Narrow down your conversation options by making two lists.

On the get list put what you want to find, understand or learn more about. Maybe it’s connections into xyz company, or where to get inexpensive office supplies, or recommendation for the best Mexican restaurant in town.

On your give list put your ideas, areas of expertise, hobbies, people you know, ideas for weekend jaunts with kids, your experience on developing a company website or a great article on bringing down the cost of doing business, etc.

Going into a room with a prepared agenda---information you want to get and information you are happy to give---provides a focus for your networking and a direction for your conversations.

4. Enter a room confidently. Next time you’re at a social or business gathering, notice how people come into a room. Do they come in head high, smiling, and upbeat or eyes down, serious and scared? Are they sending out signals that say: “I’m approachable” or “Don’t talk to me.” When you enter a room, what signals do you send out to others?
5. Listen and learn. Once you’ve asked your opening question, listen patiently to the person’s answer. Allow the speaker to elaborate without rushing to jump in. Be thinking, “What can I give to this person? What’s on my agenda?”
6. Focus your attention. Avoid the canned nod-and-smile approach with eyes roaming the room to see who else is there. Continue to ask engaging questions. If you’re friendly and genuinely curious, others will feel comfortable talking with you.
7. Find common ground. Only after the person has told “his story”, then share your thoughts and experiences. If you find something you both can relate to, that establishes a bond that can lead to further exchanges. Be open to the magic of where the conversation can take you.
8. Ask for their help. Most people enjoy helping others. Therefore what is it that you want to “get”? Use your agenda to find someone who has written an article you’ve enjoyed, or can introduce you to the speaker, or give you ideas for your upcoming project.
9. Show appreciation. At some point, you will feel that it’s time to move on because the discussion is winding down or perhaps the event is starting. Don’t leave abruptly. Rather, acknowledge the conversation and the help you’ve received. “It's been good to talk with you. Thanks for the job lead. I plan to call him tomorrow.” Or, “Glad to have met you and to hear about the upcoming conference.”
10. Explain the next step. If you want to continue the relationship, conclude with what you're going to do next or what you expect of the other person.

    “I'll send you that article tomorrow.”
    “I'll see you at the next meeting.”
    “Let’s set up a time when we can get together to go over the program.”

Preparation, a focused agenda, active listening, and an adventuresome attitude are the keys to successfully meeting and greeting a roomful of strangers. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Marcia Zidle, a business and leadership development expert, works with entrepreneurial organizations who want to be a dominant player in competing for customers, clients, funding or community awareness.

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy say, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”. Well business, government and community leaders, Marcia says, “It’s no longer business as usual anymore; its business that has to better than usual.”

Power Business Networking: Getting Your Name Out There!

Today’s economy presents some very special challenges to people who are unemployed, underemployed, or who are simply trying to give their own business venture a shot in the arm. At times, the job search can seem daunting, if not impossible, as it takes quite a bit of encouragement – and creativity – to keep pressing forward. A highly flexible [power] networking plan is important – one that requires “out of the box” thinking in order to increase your chances of securing desired employment.

The following is a list of options to pursue in order to launch a successful personal marketing plan, which is what networking is all about. Most will cost you little or nothing to implement and for the cash strapped person that can be a real help. I wrote these suggestions for business flight attendants who, understandably, have suffered much since the 2001 terrorist attacks. You can easily modify the suggestions for your particular field of interest.

1. Attend aviation job fairs [carry plenty of business cards and copies of your résumé with you].

2. Join an employment support group.

3. List your résumé with an agency.

4. Create an online résumé for additional exposure.

5. Go to retirement parties of former associates.

6. Become your local airport’s liaison to the surrounding community.

7. Attend a catering class.

8. Form a networking group in your area.

9. Go to conventions.

10. Attend other aviation related meetings [medical seminars, safety and security symposiums, dinners, golf outings, barbecues, fund raisers, 10K races].

11. Serve on an aviation related committee as a volunteer.

12. Volunteer for the Corporate Angel Network.

13. Accept other types of employment within your target company [i.e., dispatcher, sales, customer service, etc.].

14. Write an article about some aspect of corporate aviation and publish it online.

15. Organize a wine tasting seminar in your area or approach a local caterer/vineyard about being aviation’s representative to their business [be prepared to offer plenty of free publicity for them].

16. Work temporarily for a caterer specializing in inflight service.

17. Start a part time business by selling a product that corporate aviators need.

18. Finally, for the savvy [some would say nervy] flight attendant the following type of suggestion could produce dividends: Hang out at the local after work watering hole where aviation folks gather. Learn the language [culture] of the company; find out who the movers and shakers are, etc.

Some people might accuse you of being a shameless self promoter, as if you had a contagious disease. Let them think the worst of you while they sit at home fretting about work and while you are winging your way to points hither and yon!

Do not be deterred, but start thinking outside the parameters you [or others] have imposed on yourself; your goal is employment and your name is golden – as such, gold must be prominently displayed in order to command the proper attention [employment] that it so richly deserves!