Work that Room, Baby!
Networking, schmoozing, making connections. Call it what you want, it's something that is a necessity if you want to do business today. Many of us either love it or hate it. Personally, I wasn't too fond of it in the past. Although I'm a outgoing person, I just hated starting conversations with people I had no idea what to say to. Oh yes, my friends reading this will laugh out loud. "Yeah right, Simone, shy? She can talk anyone under the table!" Ha ha, very funny, but that is beside the point. Many folks, even extroverts, avoid networking for the simple fact that they don't want to talk to strangers. Some feel that they don't have anything to offer, or don't feel like going to a pick up joint disguised as a networking event. Yeah, you know the ones. I actually went to one last week and I was asking where the 'networking' was as I looked at the dance floor full of executives doing the electric slide (I kid you not! The electric slide!) I thought, "Darn! Foiled again!" Hey, we all love to have fun, but if it's a party, just say it's a party! Come on!
So, you see why I got fed up and started my own event, "Give 'N Take Network": http://www.giventakenetwork.org? There's still hope for us all...we can make networking work if we really think about the benefits and plan for a successful outcome.
The things that can arise from networking are amazing. Most of my best contacts are people I met at business conferences and networking events. I actually make it a point to tell my clients to schedule in at least two networking events a month that target their audiences. Being seen and heard will increase your chances of success! Not only is networking good for business, but also for your personal life!
Business Benefits:
? Expand your customer base
? Get a new job or referrals
? Promote your business
Personal Benefits:
? Meet new friends
? Build your self-confidence
? Have fun!
Four Easy Steps to Working a Room:
1. Be prepared
2. Introductions
3. Sealing the Deal
4. Follow Up
Be Prepared
? Have a positive attitude
? Go with a purpose! What would you like to accomplish at this event?
? Bring plenty of business cards. Have a cardholder for easy access and also have a place to put cards of people that you meet.
? If you come with your buddies...make sure they know you aren't joined at the hip. The worst thing you can be that night is a clique. When you get to the event, make it your goal to split up. That will encourage you to network even more. I know it's hard, but you gotta cut the cord sometimes.
Introductions..Don't be shy
? Walk up to someone and introduce yourself. Make eye contact and give them a firm handshake. Okay, let me be clear: please, no Incredible Hulk grips! I can't tell you how many times I've had my ring imprint make me want to cry from one of those shakes. What are you people trying to prove with those grips? LOL. However, you must by all means avoid the wimpy damp-palm handshake that just collapses within the other person's hand. If you do that, you come across just like that -wimpy or even worse, like you're royalty and you want them to kiss your hand.
? Say your first and last name while introducing yourself. Once they tell you their name, here are some tricks to remember it!
1. Listen for the name and repeat it, "Nice to meet you, Nadine."
2. Use the name in your conversation.
3. Play name association games to remind yourself, such as Nadine from New Jersey or Navy Nadine (because she had on a navy blue suit.) This is my personal favorite since I have the memory of a 90-year-old sometimes!
? With a little dash of confidence and charm, share with your new acquaintance who you are. Make sure you smile and maintain eye contact with them. Plan your 30-second introduction beforehand. Your intro is just your tagline. Basically, it's a couple of sentences of who you are, what you do to get them interested, and start the conversation. Make sure you ask them about themselves as well.
? Small Talk: A little small talk makes folks feel comfortable and at ease. Try not to brag, or impress, but just act natural. You will already have something in common since you are at the same event, so why not start by talking about that. Common interests can be excellent conversation starters. Understanding your similarities takes the edge off.
eg : So, you're an enterprenuar too? How long have you been in business for yourself?" or something like "Nice to meet you too! First time at a National Squirrel Lovers Convention?" (just making sure you are awake...I crack myself up, excuse me.)
As suggested by Networking Guru, Susan Roane, try using the OAR TACTIC.
1. Observe
2. Ask
3. Reveal.
It's a great way to break the ice and begin an engaging conversation. Remember?being a good listener is key!
Seal the Deal:
So, you've had your small talk, found out how you can help each other and have exchanged cards. Make sure you LOOK at the card when they hand it to you. Don't just shove it in your pocket. That's just rude! Looking at the card will help you remember their name as well. After you walk away, you can write on the back of their card what you are going to do for each other, or some tips to remind you who they are, I.e.: Guy in the black hat who was friends with Bill. Has a client that needs my service.
Follow up:
You might want to end the conversation like, "I'll send you an email tomorrow regarding blah blah blah." Or "I'll call you on Tuesday". Oh yeah, following up is not only the best part, but the MOST important part of networking.
I get on my members of Give 'N Take Network about this, because like I always say: Talk is Cheap! If you don't follow up, you just wasted precious time shooting the breeze.
Hope these tips will help you work that room at your next event. Happy networking!
Simone Kelly is CEO and founder of Gots To Have It, Marketing, a firm that specializes in marketing and empowering entrepreneurs with a series of workshops and networking events. Please view her company web sites here: http://www.gotstohaveit.com and http://www.giventakenetwork.org
Latest News
MeetingWave Files Geo-Location Social Networking Patent Application MarketWatch - MeetingWave.com, announced that it has filed a patent application entitled "Computer-Based Networking Service and Method and System for Performing the Same" ... |
Experts Connection Offers Executives Tips to Maximize Professional ... MarketWatch - "Understanding how to harness social networking tools like LinkedIn and Facebook demonstrates the kind of new media savvy that discriminating companies are ... |
 Techtree.com | Facebook Migrates Social Networking With New Connect Platform NewsOXY, FL - By John Lester The new Facebook Connect platform will migrate to multiple social networking profiles into one. The new service is similar to Microsoft's ... Facebook Connect Expands, Aims To Shrinking The Web Facebook Connects to the Rest of the Web Networking News |
How to Use Social Networking Sites for Marketing and PR New York Times, United States - By AllBusiness.com Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace have become the party lines of this young century. They are inviting and intriguing ... |
 eFluxMedia | Power.com: For Social Networking Power Users Washington Post, United States - They're calling what they do "social inter-networking" because it allows users to view and interact with all of their social networks at once. ... SMBs Get Social Networking Bridges from Power.com Power.com Offers One-Stop Shop for Social Networking Power.com to Become Social Networking Sites Aggregator |
Cisco introduces wireless CCIE pinnacle for aspiring networking gurus Search Networking - Cisco's less advanced wireless certifications, the CCNA and CCNP, have certified networking pros to support and troubleshoot wireless networks, ... |
FindMyAudition.com Proves It's Not What You Know, But Who MarketWatch - "Through FMA's unique networking events, we're providing qualified participants with first-hand insight on how to get their big break. ... |
Fibre Channel Switch Market Propelled by New Products, According ... MarketWatch - As the trusted source for market information about the networking and telecommunications industries, Dell'Oro Group provides in-depth, objective research ... |
ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING LEADS WITH QUALIFICATION FOR NEW VERSION ... FOXBusiness - ADVA Optical Networking successfully completed interoperability testing and qualification of its FSP 3000 platform for a new version of IBM's mainframe ... |
Elite social networking site Total Prestige to raise $1M VentureBeat, CA - Total Prestige, another social network that aims to cater to elite users, plans to raise $1 million from angel investor Frank DeRose. ... |
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