by iakul

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

Networking is about increasing your contacts, building relationships and expanding your circle of influence. For some people who are born socializers, being a savvy networker is like second nature to them. For the rest of us, we have to work at it. Here are some tips that will help you become a pro at it.

First, dress well. Look good, look professional and carry yourself well.

Appear enthusiastic and avoid folding your arms when you move. Make appropriate eye contact. Smile when introduced, and give a firm handshake.

Now we come to the part of the introduction.

Most people just introduce themselves along the lines of "I'm John Doe. I'm an electrical engineer working in XYZ company." Suppose that you are at an event, and there you meet 20 people, all of whom you have never met before, who all use a similar introduction.

Chances are you'll remember only a couple of them, likely ones who stood out in one way or another.

Now imagine if an introduction went along the lines of "I'm John Doe. I'm an electrical engineer working in XYZ company. We are a company engaged in the research and development of alternative energy sources." Just adding that line about what your company does helps tremendously in your being remembered.

As far as almost everyone else is concerned, your name and job description mean nothing. You can tell them you are "Bob, marketing executive" and they still haven't a clue just what it is that you do. You are just one of the several people that they know with a job description. Adding that last statement now adds value to your name. Now you are a name attached to a certain industry. You could potentially be valuable to them and they now have an incentive to remember you.

After you have built up your contacts, maintain them. Building up your contacts is just the first part of networking. What comes after that is just as important. Decide who you want to build business relationships with and follow up with an email, card or phone call within a week of your first meeting.

Invest time and effort in building helpful relationships, and be prepared to cultivate them for some time before you expect to reap any rewards. Build relationships not just thinking how the new relationship can support you, but also how you can bring value to this new relationship.

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