10 Business cards
9 Volunteer
If you're not actively talking with someone, your only options are to graze the buffet (if you're lucky enough to see one), make a dozen trips to the bathroom or aimlessly wander the convention space looking for the "right" person to talk with.
But what if you volunteer to work the event? Think about it. You always have something to do — setting up tables and chairs, working the registration table, assisting speakers and presenters, and helping the event organizers — and the networking opportunities come much more naturally.
At the registration desk, you get to have a hundred mini-conversations with attendees.
8. Arrive Early
One simple trick for avoiding a networking nightmare is to show up early when there are fewer people.
As an early arriver, you have a chance to engage one-on-one with a few attendees before all of the noise and bustle sets in.
7 Choose a magic number
Still panic at these large events then set a goal on number of people to meet and talk, so for example pick 6 new people, once achived you can relax.
6. Organise the event yourself
Seems a bad idea if you hate networking.
One of the easiest ways to boost your power rating is to be the one in charge. Instead of approaching contacts yourself, people now have a reason to approach you first. Plus, as the organizer, you have the ability to choose the invitees.
You can stack the deck, so to speak, so that everyone in attendance is a potential business partner or employer.
5. Be interested, not interesting
When you strike up a conversation, don't attempt to launch into an awkward pitch for your business idea or job skills
Once you have formed an actual relationship with a networking contact, it will be much easier for you to talk about yourself and your ideas. They will be interested in you because you were interested in them.
4. Follow up
If you don't follow up, you fail. Most networking gurus say that you should make contact — e-mail, text, phone call — within 48 hours of an initial meeting.
If you really want to build a networking relationship, don't send a generic "nice to meet you" e-mail. Dig up something that's useful to them.
3. Use Social Media to Get Face Time
This is a great networking tip if you are looking for a job. Professional networking sites like LinkedIn are terrific for assembling contacts but less effective at building real relationships that might lead to a job offer. For that, you need good old-fashioned face time.
Use social media to get face time, when you do don’t forget end your meeting by asking for names of other people to contact.
2. Get an Adult Internship
One reason people hate to network is that it feels like a lot of talking and very little doing.
Let's say you worked 10 years as a life insurance salesperson, but really want to break into professional catering. In the food industry, no one is going to hire you without some experience. But what if you offer yourself as an unpaid, part-time intern?
Think about a market you want to target, perhaps getting some experience.
1. Go viral
If you need help, lost your job, or starting up… don't keep that to yourself.
The people you are closest to will automatically help you if they can. It's the folks you may not ordinarily talk to in person that need a broadcast message.
Before you send out a mass Facebook or e-mail message saying, "I'll do anything!" consider a more strategic approach. People are more likely to take action if they have parameters. By giving your contacts specific keywords, they can refer you to friends or companies who match those searches.
Don’t forget to promote a business Facebook page, so you can invite friends to follow.
