What’s the most important reason you go to a networking event? Yes, of course! To make contacts with other people. Now how can we do this in a professional, friendly, yet effective way and still make the connections we want? Here I will give 5 ways to get the most out of a networking event.

1. Don’t try and talk to every single person at a networking event. Your goal is NOT to mingle with every person you see. You are less likely to have a quality discussion and make a true connection by approaching networking events in this fashion. Usually these events are large in size, so pick out 5-8 people and have quality discussions. Make friendships first then ease into business discussion. People can easily and quickly sniff out the person that is wondering what everyone can do for him and for his company. This persons fast approach and demand to talk about business before anything else gives them away. It’s the ME, ME, ME person we all come to know at one time or another. You most likely will not want to do business with this person and definitely don’t BE this person So key number one is to MAKE A FRIEND.

2. Don’t be shy! These events are specifically for you to make new connections. So everyone is at the event for the same reason, why stay in one place the whole time? Get up and approach people, move around to different areas of the room. This is why you came right?? To meet people? Let’s do it! It’s FUN!

3. Look to make connections with the people that have a gathering around them. This indicates they most likely are a leader and someone you eventually want to get to know. Of course become genuinely interested in the person first and develop a relationship like we talked about earlier. People that smile a lot are also great to communicate with and get to know. The reason being, they most likely are easy going and fun to be around. Also, they most likely enjoy whatever occupation they are in and have a lot of great connections.

4. Don’t express what you do or have to offer until it comes up in conversation. Listen more than talk. You will learn a lot more! Plus people will like you. People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

5. Have FUN! Make the most of your time at these events. Be giving, buy someone a drink or appetizer. People aren’t used to this and they will remember you. Unless of course they had one to many drinks Oh yeah! Don’t forget to give/get some business cards.

I really like this article and definition of what networking is: NETWORKING

Make it a great one!

Eric J Vogel