Improve your Networking!

Here are 10 networking tips that you should consider using the next time you come to one of our events!

1. Be prepared. Make sure to bring business cards so you can reconnect with the people you talked to at a later date. If you get flustered when you talk to people, take time before the event to rehearse what you’ll say beforehand.
2. Set a target. When attending a networking event, you want to meet as many people as you can. By setting a specific amount of people you would like to meet at each event, you will be more likely to branch out and meet more people.
3. Don’t have a set agenda. You are not attending these events to sell your business or find new employees. You are there to meet valuable contacts and get to know more people within your community. Make sure you take time to walk around the room, you never know who you would miss out on meeting by staying in one spot the whole time.
4. Be a good guest. Be friendly and open when people are speaking to you and if you see someone sitting alone, go up and introduce yourself to them.
5. Talk and listen. You do need to talk but do not forget to listen as well. You want people to know you are interested in what they have to say and that you are interested in connecting with them.
6. Give referrals. If you get the impression that someone you are talking to might not be relevant for your specific business but you know someone that would be of use to this person, give them a name and phone number. You are there to not only help yourself make connections, but others as well.
7. Take two business cards. When trading business cards, ask for two if you know of someone that would like to meet the person you are talking to.
8. Time management. It is important to keep track of your time at networking events to make sure you are meeting as many people as possible. Do not sit and talk to one person the entire time.
9. Write everything down. If you don’t have a great memory, write important notes down about people so you don’t forget when you reconnect with them in the future.
10. Follow up. Make sure you follow up with people you meet in order to keep your connection strong and current.