Here are the Top 5, immediately usable tips to start having networking successes:

  1. Hang out in the middle of the room, with the Big Dogs. It’s where the action is.

On the sidelines, you can keep everyone in front of you. You can hide. And then blame the event because you connected with no one.

>> There are sideliner success stories, but we’ll save that for a later post, when you’re more advanced.  Right now, sidelines are for the painfully shy, those who’ve made a connection and wish to talk more, and those that know how to work the edges. Our goal here, for the beginner, is to get you some successes and comfort under your belt.

In the center of the room, you can’t hide. You can be approached you from all angles. You have to be ready; prepared, daring, results oriented.

2. Now, more than ever, you have to know:

  • The event
  • The venue
  • Who’s there
    •  What you have in common
    •  What makes them unique
  • Current events
  • Conversation starter lines, maintainer lines, and ending lines

      3. Do you look professional? Successful? Approachable?

     4. Stand tall, shoulders back, with a warm smile on your face.

     5. Remember the ultimate opening line: “Hi, my name is …”

Note: this get’s easier by doing. Networking success breeds networking success.

Harvey Mackey Maxim: I don’t know what I’ll be doing a year from now, but whatever it is will undoubtedly be based on the contacts I made today.