Conference Go'ers Guide to Networking

Having just spent the past two days at a conference I really gave some thought to networking and what makes one a good networker. After really trying to be quite analytical about it and really working to come up with some good tips, I kept coming back to the same things. Here's what you need to do to be a good networker in no particular order:

1.  Be damn interesting. This could actually stand here alone and so many people forget this. They have such a scripted approach to talking to people whom they meet that they forget to be interesting. I am at a conference to work but please make the time I spend talking to you memorable. If you just list off the things you do and show me that you are going through the motions one person after another I'll quickly forget you.

2. Try to tell me what I want to hear, not what you want to say. Don't forget that the person you're talking to has more interest in themselves than they do in you. Keep this in mind and figure out what your discussion partner wants to hear. Tell me something I don't know as well. You can't imagine how often you hear the same thing over and over again. Finally, let me talk as well. I want to interact and not be preached to.

3.  Remember people's names. Nothing has more value than bumping into someone you've spoken to and remembering their name. Remember their name, use their name and ingrain it in your mind. This has so much value, especially the second time around.

4.  Don't keep me longer than I want to listen or be "kept". Some people just don't know when to stop talking. I'm here to listen to everyone and not just you. Let other people meet me as well.

5.  Know as many people as possible. For some reason, those who know the most people meet the most people. Refine your networking technique and watch as you exponentially increase your network (of course after following the other 4 steps).

This is of course not a complete list but it's a quick list with a conference still fresh on my mind. I admit I am also not an expert at all the points. I am sure I've bored quite a few people the past few days or held on to them too long trying to get them to "bite". Further, I have to admit I am bad with names (although I've become much better than a couple of years ago).  I do have to say though that I've had the opportunity to meet tons of people over the years and this helps in getting good introductions. Best of luck with your networking....hope to meet you soon!

Update: one further tip which a reader reminded me about. Be generally upbeat and smile. Seems so simple but is so true in regards to getting people to want to interact with you.