Go Prepared
Research the event on the web and get a sense of the attendees. Research the people you want to meet and use that information to break the ice with them.
Travel Light
Wear a comfortable suit and make sure you can reach your cards without fumbling.
Walk The Walk
Walk into the room confidently and smile meeting the eyes of those persons you are interacting with.
Who’s Who
Circle the room so you can get an idea of who is there, then focus on a few carefully chosen ones working through your list of priority.
Spot Lone Wolves
If the room is crowded look for people who are standing alone. It is harder to integrate into a group of strangers and individual contact is best. One-to-one makes for the most effective networking since you can focus more giving all your attention to that person.
Make Meaningful Connection
Ask others about themselves so you can connect to their interests and lives. Do not start off with your 30 second commercial about yourself, be genuinely interested in who you are talking with. Be an active listener, listen without interupting, comment or ask questions when it is appropriate. Remember you have to pass the test as a personable human being first before people will want to do business with you.
Card Exchange
Ask for a business card instead of offering yours, it is less presumptuous.
Get An Introduction If Possible
An introduction is like an implicit endorsement and the next time you meet that person there will be that association and context.
Give And Take
Always try to be helpful. Help others to make connections and share helpful information. When you help others they want to help you in return.
Remember you might not close a deal but you might get the right to follow-up with a call or meeting which could lead to a very meaningful business relationship. Even one contact like that makes an evening of networking worthwhile.
About Sandra McCarty
Founder of SM Business Solutions LLC, offering inbound marketing services that are both innovative and tailored to my clients needs. I use inbound marketing media such as blogging, emails and social media to help independent professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs successfully engage their target markets and increase their revenues. I am passionate about making sure my clients are satisfied and their companies experience tangible gains.
A graduate of Martin J Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University, University of the West Indies and of the Royal Institute of Marketing, London. Some of my clients are; Retro Lounge & Grill, The Cybernet Place, Optic Masters, Balance & Power Inc, Long Island Entrepreneurs Meetup Group, Best Buyer's Brokers and Male Ego Ltd.
Business Networking – How To Work A Room
Go Prepared
Research the event on the web and get a sense of the attendees. Research the people you want to meet and use that information to break the ice with them.
Travel Light
Wear a comfortable suit and make sure you can reach your cards without fumbling.
Walk The Walk
Walk into the room confidently and smile meeting the eyes of those persons you are interacting with.
Who’s Who
Circle the room so you can get an idea of who is there, then focus on a few carefully chosen ones working through your list of priority.
Spot Lone Wolves
If the room is crowded look for people who are standing alone. It is harder to integrate into a group of strangers and individual contact is best. One-to-one makes for the most effective networking since you can focus more giving all your attention to that person.
Make Meaningful Connection
Ask others about themselves so you can connect to their interests and lives. Do not start off with your 30 second commercial about yourself, be genuinely interested in who you are talking with. Be an active listener, listen without interupting, comment or ask questions when it is appropriate. Remember you have to pass the test as a personable human being first before people will want to do business with you.
Card Exchange
Ask for a business card instead of offering yours, it is less presumptuous.
Get An Introduction If Possible
An introduction is like an implicit endorsement and the next time you meet that person there will be that association and context.
Give And Take
Always try to be helpful. Help others to make connections and share helpful information. When you help others they want to help you in return.
Remember you might not close a deal but you might get the right to follow-up with a call or meeting which could lead to a very meaningful business relationship. Even one contact like that makes an evening of networking worthwhile.
About Sandra McCarty
Founder of SM Business Solutions LLC, offering inbound marketing services that are both innovative and tailored to my clients needs. I use inbound marketing media such as blogging, emails and social media to help independent professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs successfully engage their target markets and increase their revenues. I am passionate about making sure my clients are satisfied and their companies experience tangible gains. A graduate of Martin J Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University, University of the West Indies and of the Royal Institute of Marketing, London. Some of my clients are; Retro Lounge & Grill, The Cybernet Place, Optic Masters, Balance & Power Inc, Long Island Entrepreneurs Meetup Group, Best Buyer's Brokers and Male Ego Ltd.