Here are some tips on how to network with confidence. How many of these have you tried?
1. Arrive early
2. Bring lots of business cards (caught only once without a card and good story here, if interested just ask)
3. Take a genuine interest in each person you meet and ask them to tell their story
4. Set a goal to meet three new people
5. Listen attentively (remember names!)
6. Ask for the other person' business card
7. Introduce the person you just met to someone else
Working on #5 - any tips you have on remembering names is always appreciated.
#3 can be challenging especially when you notice others in the background who you may want to also have a good discussion with.
What are your tips to network with confidence?
Connecting business people to share stories of making new business relationships and creating opportunities.
Good notes Frank - the point of a networking event is NOT to hand out as many business cards as possible, it is truly to be present and genuine , making real connections with people, as you have pointed out.
ReplyDeleteAs for remembering names - one thing I try to do immediately after is write something significant on the business card you have asked for to create an association to that name - for example: need to share a particular contact with the new person or even the main topic of conversation - example - working on developing client X - this way, when you follow up the next day, you have something to mention and it helps to make the name stick along with the relevant details. (seems to work for me!) This also helps me send them articles or posts I may find relevant to them in the future, continuing to build a connection.