Another way to make a strong impression is to do some research on the people who will be at the event. You can use social media, websites, or newsletters to find out more about their backgrounds, interests, and goals. This will help you identify potential contacts, tailor your pitch, and ask smart questions. You can also reach out to them before the event via email or LinkedIn, and express your interest in meeting them.

Research the attendees

The last tip to make a strong impression is to follow up with the people you met at the event. You should send them a personalized email or message within 24 hours, and remind them of who you are and what you talked about. You should also express your appreciation, offer your help, or suggest a next step. For example, you can invite them to connect on LinkedIn, to join your newsletter, or to meet for coffee.

Follow up after the event

Keep your hands free, except for your drink, avoiding distractions such as phones or frequent watch-checking. Remaining in one spot might convey the wrong impression. Also, juggling a drink and snacks could impede handshakes!To avoid appearing preoccupied, refrain from fidgeting, clutching bags upfront, or excessively checking gadgets. Instead, embrace openness and presence, allowing your authentic self to shine! The aim is to foster an environment where conversations flow effortlessly, and genuine connections thrive

Don't appear "busy"

Real networking starts after the first meeting.I often take a picture with the people I meet and send them a WhatsApp after the event with a short message of our conversation.This way they remember me.After that I occasionally share any resource that could be particularly helpful to them.

Real networking starts after the first meeting

The key to improvisation is to push yourself to start doing it without overthinking.

Improvise! Just do it!

<ul><li>Tell yourself, "I'm going to talk to this person for 10 minutes."</li></ul>

Lower the stakes-embrace the 10-minutes rule

Networking is like opening a bank account - you need to make a deposit before making a withdrawal. It's about serving others.

When you arrive at the event, you should be ready to mingle and interact with others.<ul><li>We suggest you to smile, make eye contact, use positive body language, be respectful, polite, attentive, avoid checking your phone, interrupting others, or dominating the conversation. You should also be open to meeting new people, and not stick to your comfort zone or clique.</li><li>The most beautiful word in any language to a person is their name. Ask a person their name and the correct pronunciation, and use it within the dialogue.</li></ul>

Be friendly and approachable

Your appearance can also influence how others perceive you when networking. You should dress appropriately for the occasion, and follow the dress code of the event or the industry. You should also wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident, and that reflects your personality and style. You can also accessorize with a name tag, a business card, or a badge that showcases your skills or achievements.

Dress appropriately

<ul><li>Questions that encourage the other person to share more information or opinions. For example, you can ask about their current projects, their challenges, their aspirations, or their hobbies.</li><li>You can also use the FORD method, which stands for Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Dreams.</li></ul>

Ask open-ended questions (FORD method)

Start with a short set of predetermined questions that you prepared. Don't overthink it, something as simple as "What do you do for work?" or "What brings you to this event" is enough to get started.From their answers, listen for key nouns: a place (eg. New York), a person (eg. the host), a company (eg. LinkedIn), a thing (eg. a flight), etc. and ask a follow up question that combines the non they mentioned with a related verb

Alternatively, you can:

Shift your focus from receiving to giving. Instead of thinking: “What can I get from this person?” ask “How can I give more to them?Realize that giving does not have to be something big or time consuming. It can be something simple and instant. At a networking event it could be giving them attention, listening with interest or offering to introduce them to others, helping expand their networks.

Shift your focus from receiving to giving

<ul><li>How did you get interested in your field of work?</li><li>What about your job do you like the most?</li><li>What are some of the challenges you’ve met in this position?</li><li>What’s your typical day of work like?</li><li>What advice would you give to people who want to enter your line of work?</li><li>Is there any networking event that you recommend?</li><li>What do you enjoy most about your job?</li><li>What significant changes have you seeing the industry in the last 5 years?</li><li>What do you think would be the coming trends in (field) in five years?</li></ul>

Some pre-prepared topics to talk about

<ul><li>"Have you eaten?" (East-Asia)</li><li>If you know their hobbies, you can ask them whether they know the tournaments/events in the field. (There was this guy I met who ask me if I got the Mayday concert ticket the first time we met, he was very good at breaking ice. He appeared very personable and amicable.)</li><li>Alternatively, you can start the conversation by asking them about the things they said during your last encounter. This will demonstrate your attentiveness and genuinity.</li></ul>So take notes after convos.

Ice-breakers for "coffee chats"

<ul><li>Before you attend a networking event, you should have a clear idea of who you are, what you do, and what you can offer. This is your personal pitch, and it should be concise, relevant, and memorable. You can practice your pitch with a friend or a mirror, and make sure it sounds natural and confident.</li><li>Your pitch should also include a hook, a question, or a statement that invites the other person to respond and start a conversation.</li><li>Authentic networking is simply an extension of your own self awareness.</li></ul>

Prepare your pitch (self-introduction)/ Know who you are

Networking is about meeting people and hoping serendipity happens. As an introvert, I'm hoping to get better at this craft.

Learn how to stand out and connect with others when networking, with tips on preparing your pitch, researching the attendees, dressing appropriately, and more.

ARCHITA PRAHLADKA

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