<ul><li>Be curious about the other person.</li><li>Your smile and will go a long way toward a positive first impression.</li><li>Listen, then show you were listening.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Talk about your business in a casual, non-salesy way.</li><li>Research attendees and come prepared with questions.&nbsp;</li><li>Introduce yourself with an anecdote that resonates.</li><li>Learn how you can help each new connection.</li><li>&nbsp;Go in without a strict agenda and try to make a new friend. This takes the pressure off.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Tips to make a good impression

Teamwork

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Having the right professional contacts can help you expand your business and open the door to new opportunities. One of the best ways to meet those contacts is by attending networking events. Whether you're at an industry-specific conference or a general entrepreneur meetup, you're sure to connect with people who can help you grow.
The trick to success is properly introducing yourself. You want to let the other person know what you and your business are all about, without coming across as self-promotional.
Follow this advice from 10 members of <a href="http://forbescommcouncil.com">Forbes Communications Council</a> if you want to make a great first impression at your next networking event.
1. Build genuine personal connections. 2. Smile. 3. Listen when you join a conversation, then show you were listening. 4. Be yourself and don't try to sell. 5. Research attendees and come prepared with questions. 6. Bring a friend. 7. Be curious. 8. Introduce yourself with an anecdote that resonates. 9. Learn how you can help each new connection. 10. Go in without a strict agenda and try to make a new friend. Networking events can be intimidating, awkward and loaded with pressure. If you go into it with the intention of getting new leads or gathering X amount of business cards, it's likely to become uncomfortable. I was recently given the best networking advice: Be authentic and simply try to make a new friend. This takes the pressure off, allows you to be yourself and leads to stronger connections. - <a href="https://twitter.com/TanyaCarlsson">Tanya Carlsson</a>, <a href="http://www.offleashpr.com/">Offleash</a>
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Forbes CommunityVoice Connecting expert communities to the Forbes audience. What is This? Forbes allows professional fee-based membership groups ("communities") to connect directly with the Forbes audience by enabling them to create content - and participate in the conversation - on the Forbes digital publishing platform. Each topic-based is produced and managed by the group.

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