5 ways to rock at networking

Do you want to be a networking rock star? Set yourself apart from the crowd.

Rock stars didn’t get that way by blending it in and playing it safe.They cultivate their personalities, play up their talents, and make a splash. And their fans love them for it.

They’re unconventional. They don’t follow the rules. They chase the end goal without regard for the obstacles in the meantime. They’re not afraid to fall on their faces. They take risks.

It’s easy to put on your conservative suit and make polite conversation for an hour or two. It’s just as easy to be forgotten as soon as you leave.

Don’t want to be forgotten? Here are 5 ways to be that rock star:

1. Have a very polished elevator pitch — with a sense of humor. Don’t just tell someone what you do. Make a joke. Tell a story. Put things in context. Think of it as your business pick-up line. What can you say in a few sentences that will catch someone off guard, make them laugh, make them think, but still deliver a powerful statement about you? If you have trouble, get a wordsmith to help you plan it out.
2. Know who the influencers are. Many networking events provide attendee lists in advance so that you can target specific people that you hope to meet. Even if this isn’t the case, you may be able to make an educated guess about specific people you’ll have the chance to meet, or the companies that they represent. Make a list, and make sure to have a couple facts handy that will not only show you’re in the loop, but will also show you’re focused on their needs.
3. Take your personal appearance up a notch. If it’s the kind of affair where everyone wears suits, wear a great accessory or a bold, colorful tie. A little visual impact catches attention, starts conversation, and helps cement your image in someone’s mind. Just don’t go so far that it’s the talk of the event.
4. Focus your efforts on those that you hit it off with. If you meet fifteen people at an event, only 5 or so will lead to great conversation, collaboration and opportunity. Screen out the rest early, and keep looking for the people who might be part of your tribe. One of them is ten times as valuable as the rest of them combined.
5. Promise to follow up, and do so. Take it upon yourself to move the relationship forward. Promise to plan for a coffee meeting, to send over some information, or to schedule a phone call. Make sure you have an opportunity to get to know them better, and move them from a contact to a colleague, client, or collaborator.

Remember that it’s only the people worth watching that end up on the stage. How can you make it worth your audience’s while?

photo credit: Stig Nygaard

Related posts:

1. Networking barrier-busters: 4 keys to productive networking
2. Back to School Day 3: 3 Ways to Add Value While Networking
3. Networking Ninja Tip: Know What You Need
4. Networking with confidence: You cannot fail
5. Networking event success: Know the goal before you go