Top Ten Tips to Successful Networking

There is an art to successful networking. The following tips will help you become a master at networking and have fun at the same time.

1. Know your target audience.
   With whom do you want to connect?  What interests, education, socio-economical standing, gender, marital status, etc. do you want your target audience to embody?
   
   
2. Go to functions/places where your target audience goes.
   Once you establish the type of person with whom you want to connect, start going to functions and public places where this type of person typically goes.
   
   
3. Be yourself.
   A successful net worker is an authentic person who chooses to be real in every situation.  People yearn to meet the real YOU, not the “Want to be, you”.
   
   
4. Get names and contact information.
   Get the names and business cards of the people you meet at networking events and ask their permission to be in contact with them. That way, you can contact them at a later date.
   
   
   
5. Contribute to other people.
   If you go to networking events just to promote yourself, you’ve got only half of the picture. Great networkers go to events not only to promote themselves, but to also be in contribution to the people they meet.
   
   
6. Stay in contact with the people you meet.
   Now that you have the business cards of the people you’ve met, contact them and let them know what you’re doing and find out how they are doing. Keep them updated with any changes in your business and use them as a resource when appropriate.
   
   
7. Don’t be desperate, needy or pushy.
   Do not be aggressive, follow people around, whine, beg, plead, or talk incessantly about what you have to offer.  People sense desperation and aggressive manipulation a mile away, and it does not work!
   
   
8. Keep your social calendar full.
   The best net workers keep full social calendars with weekly scheduled events they regularly attend.  The key is to present your self consistently.
   
   
   
9. Be bold, fearless, and interesting.
   Introduce yourself to people at networking events. Begin conversations. Laugh out loud.  Boldly tell people the benefits of what you have to offer.  When you do speak, speak intelligently and have something interesting to say.
   
   
10. Have fun!
    Meeting people, being in contribution, and being passionate about who you are and what you have to offer is fun!  Look forward to going to these meetings/events and have a blast networking.