Next time you head to a networking party, try these tips for a better–and more fruitful–experience:
Prepare Your Pitch
Before you head to the event, prepare (and practice!) a one-sentence description of who you are and what you do. It sounds simple, but many people have difficulty introducing themselves clearly and confidently.
Read Up on the News
If you know a thing or two about the new stadium, or the recent IPO by a local company, or the opening of a new restaurant, it will be much easier for you to make conversation.
Have a Goal
Think about your purpose for networking. What kinds of people do you want to meet? What are you trying to accomplish? Make sure you subtly work that into your conversation. “I’m currently working in finance, but I just finished a degree in graphic design, so I’m looking for new opportunities to use my design skills.”
Make Sure You are Accessible after the Event
If you are networking, chances are you are looking for new business or new job opportunities. That means that the connections you make at the event need to remain connections after the event. Be sure to take business cards with you. After the event, make an attempt to connect with your new contacts via LinkedIn. When you request the connection, reference the conversation from the networking event.
With a little prep, networking can be a fruitful–and even enjoyable–experience.