Before the Event
1. Mentally rehearse your success - see yourself there and looking confident, smiling and meeting lots of interesting people. Get the positive 'movie' of this in your mind.
2. Rehearse your 'elevator pitch' - how you can describe what you do to gain interest in only a short time frame
3. Decide on your goals for the event - finding prospective customers? Meeting specific people? Finding a resource or supplier you need? Nurturing existing relationships?
4. Check your business card - ensure that it describes you and what you do
5. Pick the right event
6. Research - try to get hold of a list of attendees & identify targets.
At the Event
1. Arrive early
2. Look positive
3. Work the room (don't stay with friends or colleagues - move around and make an effort to meet new people)
4. Listen
5. Ask open-ended questions
6. Focus on other people
7. No hard selling
8. Learn how to strike up a conversation
9. Keep the conversation going
10. Do it often - networking builds up momentum over time.
After the Event
1. Follow-up! Drop and email just to the people you met (not a blanket email to everyone at the event). Call the people you most want to meet up with.
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