Networking Tips

1. Meet people face to face when you’re networking.  People file things mentally using visual cues, so it’s important.  First impression is lasting.

2. Networking over lunch.  Find eating places that serve small portions and select food that does not drool on you when you eat fast and are talking.  Think grilled chicken.  Your are not there to eat.

3. Eye Contact: Strong, solid eye contact conveys candor and trust.  Most people tend to break eye contact when thinking, then reestablish it when speaking or listening.  Don’t get lazy or be looking around.

4. Speaking.  Trial lawyers and news announcers use a good technique for slowing speech and sounding more confident.  Practice: drop the pitch of your voice distinctly at the end of each phrase or sentence.  Pause briefly.  Breathe.  Start speaking again.  You’ll find that you can speak very quickly between pauses without sounding rushed.  Practice speak-drop pitch-pause-breathe-speak - let it become second nature.  Put your camcorder to work. 

5. Engage in pointless networking.

6. Make family/friends net-workers on you behalf.  Have them be able to explain what you do clearly..

7. The purpose of networking is to get exposure as well as information.

8. Be prepared:

   a. Adopt a positive attitude, focus

   b. Plan your self-introduction

   c. Check your business cards — place them in left jacket pocket

   d. Prepare your small talk — listen to radio 1/2 before entering networking meeting, read one newspaper daily

   e. Remember eye contact and a smile

   f. Practice your handshake -firm/3 pumps

   g. Name tags - place on right side of jacket

9. Strategies:

   a. Enter a room with confidence, orient yourself

   b. Use the buddy system to get there and orient yourself, then split up

   c. Seek out the loner, white knuckle drinker

   d. Use name-tags - make the most of them - if you have the ability to put what you want on a name-tag, PRINT whatever you want people to remember.  Maybe your name or what you do.

   e. Opening lines - just say hello, my name is…

   f. Join conversations - don’t intrude.

   g. Circulate - don’t get stuck in a conversation

10. 3 E’s Effort - make one, Energy - bring lots of it to everything you do Enthusiasm - exude.

11. Dress appropriately.  If you are unsure - ask.

12. Four C’s - courtesy, caring, charm, chutzpah

13. Bring a sense of humor:  AT  & T Test: Appropriate, Tasteful and Timely.

14. FOLLOW UP - #1 MISTAKE MOST NETWORKERS MAKE - NO FOLLOW UP.