This last week we took a look at what not to do when networking. I thought it only appropriate to follow-up this week with a couple of helpful hints about what to do when networking at an event:
- Networking is not suppose to be stressful, remember that you are there to build relationships by helping other people.
- When you meet someone for the first time listen for their name and use it after 1 minute of conversation. It reinforces your interest in them as a person and your interest in your conversation.
- Come prepared with three stories (children, vacation, social, etc.); stories provide interest and usually lead to follow-up questions and discussion. Remember, a picture (painted by a story) is worth a thousand words (and a thousand points of connection).
- Stray away from “business” quickly in your conversations.
- Talking too much and not talking enough both stifle conversation; make certain you are having 2-way conversations.
- Focus on helping the people that you meet, not helping yourself. Would the person you are speaking with benefit from you introducing them to someone else you know in the room? Do you have information that the person you are speaking with might benefit from?
- Follow-up. Can you offer to do something tomorrow, and can you remember to do it? A sure way to build a flaky reputation is to not follow-up when you say you are going to.
In all that you do, remember to be yourself and enjoy. When you are yourself and focus on developing relationships great things happen.
Great points Tim. Concerning your second point I have found this helpful for remembering the name of the contact after the event. If I fail to use their name in the conversation there is a risk that I will forget the name after the event as it gets lost in the shuffle of other contacts throughout the event.
John-
Great point… I have found that when I repeat someone’s name I am much easier to recall it later. Thanks for the comment!
Tim
Great tips, but you also want to make sure they remember your name. So make it easy on them, give it to them with something that they can associate it with. For instance I always say my name is Dom like Dom DeLuise. This works great for people who are old enough to remember Cannonball Run, but not a good for the younger generation. I’ll take any suggestions.