Ten tips for making the most of networking events
| 1. Spend your time meeting and talking with new people instead of people you already know.
2. Begin friendly conversations with those you meet in the refreshment line-up. 3. ALWAYS have business cards with you—no excuses! 4. Keep business cards accessible. If you keep your cards in one pocket and other people’s cards in the other, you won’t inadvertently give away someone else’s card. 5. Don’t thrust your card at someone as soon as you meet. Wait until the conversation is comfortable, or even until just before you move on. 6. You don’t need excuses to end conversations—mingling is the whole point of networking events. Simply say, “I’ve enjoyed chatting with you—enjoy the conference.” Then move on. 7. Make contact with your new acquaintances as soon as possible after the event. A phone call or e-mail works, but the most friendly and effective way is to send a handwritten note. These are so rare nowadays that they stand out—and so will you. 8. If you have arranged to call someone after the event, do so when you said you would. So many people fail to meet their commitments that, once again, you will stand out in people’s minds because you do. 9. Be prepared to help as well as be helped, to give as well as receive. 10. Take every opportunity to expand and deepen your network. Look after it and it will look after you for your whole life. © 2004 Helen Wilkie All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this article for your online or print publication so long as you include the complete article and the following paragraph: Helen Wilkie is a professional speaker, consultant and author who helps companies do better business through better communication. Her latest book is "The Hidden Profit Center". To received free monthly tips and techniques on communication, visit http://www.mhwcom.com or http://www.HiddenProfitCenter.com and sign up for "Communi-keys". Reach Helen Wilkie at 416-966-5023 or hwilkie@mhwcom.com |
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