Last week the Market Connections team attended a “Lunch ‘n’ Learn” about effective networking, where we learned the following eight tips to make networking easier.

1. Read professional magazines outside of your profession, particularly those of your suppliers/vendors or clients

2. Read magazines about hobbies you aren’t interested in (In addition to those you are!)
Popular choices may include jogging, cooking, landscaping, or golfing. Knowing a little bit about a lot of different subjects makes it very easy to chat, and network, with others.

3. Set a connection target and stick to it
If you contact just four people a day, that’s 100 touch-points each month!
When you attend an event, make it your goal to meet at least 5 new people.
4. When speaking with people, ask open ended questions
An easy example of this is “Tell me more about….”

5. Remember things that are important to people
Most people will forgive you if you forget things, but remember that their little girl just turned five and started kindergarten, and you’re a star.

6. Connect people with similar interests or to solve a problem
If you know two people who would benefit from knowing each other, introduce them. By offering a favor you have now made yourself look great to both—and they both owe you.

7. POSITIVITY!
Always approach others with a smile on your face and a cheery comment. Don’t be negative or critical right off the bat—remember, you attract more bees with honey!

8. Don’t force networking
If you have an event to attend, but you have too much on your plate—don’t force yourself. There are always more opportunities to network later, and forcing will probably put off more people than it will attract.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 8:09 am and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.