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Mar
08

How to be successful at a networking event

Recently, I have attended a bunch of great networking events, and in the next few months, I plan on attending a lot more. I know that making a good first impression is important, so I always make sure to be on point, and act properly. Overtime, I have learned a lot, both from watching what others do and my own experience with people. With that experience, I have put together a great list of networking advice. Here are the 10 steps you should always follow to make sure everything goes just right:

  1. Tell anyone and everyone who will listen your personal life details. They really want to know everything about you.
  2. If you have to give a presentation, don’t practice. People expect you mess up, and forget what you were saying.
  3. Leave your phone on loud, then answer it as soon as it rings, no matter who you’re talking to already. Don’t worry, they’ll wait.
  4. Drink as much as you want, and eat as many appetizers as you can. It may be awhile before you get more free food and discounted drinks!
  5. When other people are telling you about them is the perfect time to think about what you will say next. You’ve got to be prepared.
  6. Start every conversation with how amazing your product/service is and why this person you just met needs it. Because you know best, and need to tell them.
  7. Don’t email or call people when you tell them you will follow up. They should contact you if they are interested.
  8. Wearing whatever you want is perfectly acceptable. There is no reason to follow common dress code courtesy. After all, sweats can be ‘business casual’, right?
  9. Talk about your business at every break in the conversation, and sometimes, interrupt to remind them about it. You don’t want people to forget what you do.
  10. If there is someone there who you don’t really get along with, make sure everyone in the room knows about it so that they can help you avoid them.

If you follow these steps, there is no way you can fail at your next networking event!

Of course, if you take any of them seriously, you get what you deserve ;)

Related posts:

  1. You don’t have to be inherently outgoing to rock at networking.
  2. How to plan an awesome tweetup event
  3. The formula for a successful social media strategy

Category: Business & Marketing Strategy, Wright Point of View
Topics: , ,
  • gorillamonk

    WAIT A MINUTE!

    oh…ha, this is humor. I was going to point out how a few of these are pretty damn irrational, especially the last one. Thank good I read it a third time.

  • http://www.mrfirstteam.com/ Jerry Reed

    Kirsten, Like you I have attended many of these types of gatherings. I also have found some wonderfut people in these groups. I have learned a lot. Until I read you post I hadn't given much thought as to the decorum as to how to get the most out of the event. You have nailed it on the head here. Thank you for doing this. I would also like to encourage those interested in Social Media to start attending these events. They do help us Newbies.

  • http://www.mrfirstteam.com/ Jerry Reed

    Kirsten, Like you I have attended many of these types of gatherings. I also have found some wonderfut people in these groups. I have learned a lot. Until I read you post I hadn’t given much thought as to the decorum as to how to get the most out of the event. You have nailed it on the head here. Thank you for doing this. I would also like to encourage those interested in Social Media to start attending these events. They do help us Newbies.

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