The Elevator Pitch
Perfect your elevator pitch. Especially at larger networking events, people will walk away if they are uninterested. Keep it short and sweet. Make it interesting so that it can capture the attention of the audience.
Be friendly, engaging, and energetic
Everyone has gone to a networking event after a bad day or when they are extremely tired and stressed. However, it is important to make the most of the networking event and to not let others see that side. No one wants to talk to the person in the corner that looks bored and tired. If it is one of those days, try grabbing a coffee on the way to the networking event and avoid drinking alcohol at the event. Then put on a smile and start socializing.
Listen to Others
People are networking to build their own networks and to try to promote themselves. Show interest in others by listening to them and asking them follow up questions. The more interest that you show in them, the more likely that they will want to learn more about you also.
Think about What You are Sharing
At a networking event it is important to keep things professional. This is not the best place to talk about your relationship problems or a crazy party that you went to the previous week. However, it is a good place to share some information to connect with others. Everyone prefers people when they have something in common. It is okay to share information about a spouse, children, pets, and hobbies. These will help build a connection and help you relate to other people. Before you share information, think about whether or not you would want your boss to know that information.
Follow Ups
Creating a professional network takes times. It is important to follow up with any contacts that are made at a networking event. One great way to is to connect on social media. LinkedIn is a great site for connecting with your professional contacts. Since it is a more professional site, it will provide more information including education, work experience, recommendations, and more. Just make sure that your LinkedIn profile is kept up to date. Next, follow up with an email. Send an email to the new contacts to share your contact information and remind them where they met you. You can even try to schedule a follow up meeting to keep the conversation going.
Written By: Stephanie Dunaieff