This is my first blog post. I'm a business owner who's put together a brand from scratch, a business from where there was nothing, and having become as popular as we are today, I can attribute most of it to networking. Beside the fact that Sitecats is a pretty cool company, I wouldn't change the tips below even if I were an undertaker. In fact, you'd remember me as a very entertaining undertaker.
I won't go into what to wear. Just get there to the network meeting and apply some simple principles. I purchased one of those custom name tags with a strong magnet so I don't have to use the paper name tag. Your choice, but remember to put your name tag on your right side. If its on your left, you'll be leaning with your right side to deliver a handshake while your left side is farther away. Apply your name tag high enough so that people can read it while they're shaking your hand. It needs to be visible at all times. This gives you a slight edge over the unreadable networker in that people can quickly find your first name and your business name without straining around your lapel or other clothing detour. The reason why this all comes in handy is not the handshake itself, but the ability for the person shaking your hand to easily spot your name later (or by chance he remembers it) and introduce you to a new person joining the small group of chatterbugs.
So now you're in front of that 'just right' prospect who needs your product or service. I'm here to tell you that you're probably not going to sell him anything today, so why worry? Ask the prospect about his product/service, where he's from, and anything else that comes to mind. The only difference between networking and a dinner party is the music. You can create the music with interesting conversation just by waiting for your chance to interject yourself into their storytelling. People love to talk about themselves, so keep asking questions of your prospect. They'll keep talking. When you get the chance to speak of your services, they'll listen even more.
One more tip I always give to new networkers is to challenge yourself. If you've just paid to be part of a chamber or networking group, you should sit with people you know the least, and do the same thing every time. If you're sitting with that pal you got to know really well, you're losing your hold on the real goal of selling widgets. Get to know everyone, pass out business cards. Put that lampshade on your head and be remembered!
People see me chatting with folks and laughing quite a bit. I truly enjoy people. Even important, intimidating people because they're people, too. I might be holding a wine or beer, and people might construe that I'm just getting loopy! But I never get snookered at a business event and you'll seldom see me drink more than one. But it's because I'm having such a great time, and I know that chances are they'll remember me and my silly cat logo. That silly cat logo employs 6 people, and he needs to be fed. So sometimes I get silly just out of respect.
-jr
