6 Tips for Networking Success

6 Tips for Networking Success

Tomorrow I'll be on my way to the Windy City, home of amazing deep dish pizza (although in my Long Island heart, I'll always be partial to New York slices!), incredible architecture, and "Da Bears" (and Bulls, White Sox, Cubs... - this is what happens when you live in a house full of men!)

I'm part of group called the Mega Inner Circle Network created by Mark Victor Hansen (who's written some of my favorite books, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series). Being a member means having the opportunity to take part in "Immersives" that promise to be educational and entertaining conferences featuring major players sharing their success secrets and advice. This weekend is the Chicago Immersive and I am so excited! Why? Well, for one thing: I love to network!

I'm a talker, a speaker, a gabber, a chatter, a chewer of the fat - and during networking events, I'm in my glory. But I realize that I'm also in the minority: most people dread networking events more than Tax Day, and they wind up wondering why they even bothered to show up.

To all of you networking-phobes out there, here are my 6 best tips for improving your networking skills:

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1. Remember: this conference is NOT a party. Don't let a swanky location, tables of food and a river of alcohol, music and even the dancing fool you. This is a professional development event, not a kegger. You want to be remembered as someone competent and collected, an expert who can gets the job done...not the jerk slobbering on everyone and dancing on the table. And don't forget to hone your communication skills and be aware of your body language, too!

2. Create a plan of attack. "A failure to plan is a plan for failure, " I think the saying goes. You've got to approach this event as strategically as possible: what are your goals? How will you go about achieving them? What does success look like; meaning, when you're driving or flying home, how will you know this event was a success for you? If you're a small business owner, review the marketing section of your business plan; if you're part of an organization, refresh your memory on departmental goals and objectives.

3. Connect with the sponsor. Most networking events have either a person or an organization sponsoring the event, and they most likely have a vested interest in its topic/theme. Find out what they're hoping to get out of the event - you might just find yourself a partner for a joint venture or even a potential customer!

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5. Don't forget to prepare your elevator pitch! After the requisite handshake and "Hi. My name is ___________," you need to be able to quickly and concisely tell someone exactly who you are and what you do. Keep in my mind favorite phrase: "What's in it for them?" State your name and your organization, and then frame your work in a benefits-driven way. If you're at an industry event where everyone is basically doing the same thing, take the opportunity to do some reconnaissance work: what projects are others working on? What kind of marketing are they doing? Is there any room for partnerships or the creation of relationships that might be mutually beneficial in the future?  

6. Quality, not quantity. What's the use of collecting 300 business cards if they're all worthless? When I'm away on a weekend conference, I consider it a success if I make two solid contacts. These contacts are interested and enthusiastic about my work and vice versa, and there is a potential for work with them in the future.