SolveYourProblem Article Series: Networking
How To Successfully Network Yourself

Maximizing Your Time at Any Networking Event

Networking can be defined as creating a desirable connection with people that you can provide value to and receive value from. In the business world networking events are becoming the norm. These involve social gatherings, seminars and organizational events. One of the most important factors in discovering how to effectively network is learning how to manage your time at these events.

Without careful planning, networking can be a time consuming task and not very productive. To avoid this there are some important factors to consider when you are trying to maximize your time at a networking event.

The first way to make the most of your time is to arrive early. Arriving ahead of time allows you to talk to the event planner. They will be able to tell you who is coming and give you a heads up about upcoming events as well. Since not many people are there you will receive one on one attention.

Also, you should know what your goals are ahead of time. This means knowing what you would like to accomplish and how before you actually arrive. Doing this often involves some research; find out who is sponsoring the event, what type of people will be there, what those people can offer you and vice versa. You may want to do some homework on specific people who will be at the event and have appropriate conversations planned ahead of time, including a 15-30 second pitch. This pitch should be a way to introduce yourself and what you do as briefly as possible.

Once people start coming in try to stay by the entrance. This is because people are more likely to want to mingle when the first arrive. In addition you can see everyone who comes in and more importantly they can see you.

Another great way to maximize you time involves recruiting your host for help. Ask the person who is hosting the event to introduce you to specific people. This will take the pressure of you to come up with an icebreaker and save you valuable time.

To make sure you are making the most of your time at a networking event it is important to keep moving. You should stay energetic and circulate around the room. Do not spend your time with just one person. The more people you meet the more value you’ve gotten for your time. It is also important to not dedicate too much of your time to people you already know.

While it is important to talk to many people, it’s just as important to target the people you speak to. This means once you begin a conversation with someone it is important to quickly determine whether they will be a useful contact. If they are not a good prospective you should move on.

Handing out business cards is a great way to maximize your time. Besides appearing more professional, distributing your contact information on preprinted business cards will save you the time it would take to continuously write done your name, telephone number, address, and website information. Giving out your cards generously can help make sure there are more of them in circulation. The more business cards you have floating around at any given time the more useful they will be to you.

Maximizing your time at events can mean the difference between productive networking and a waste of time. It is important that you make the most of every second that you are at a gathering where there are potential new contacts, because these initial connections can lead to meaningful business relationships in the future.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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