Networking Etiquette Tips – Business Networks in Sunshine Coast

There are three types of people at network functions. There are those that don’t know how to talk to people, those that can talk to people, and those that are more akin to bulldozers when they interact with people.

Know how to work the crowd at an event is great for everyone as it ensures that you are not wasting your time or theirs. So, we have come up with a simple etiquette tips for business networking.

Professional

By working on your introduction and a short elevator pitch you will ensure that you are more than equipped for introductions. The key is to keep this professional but friendly. Joking is more than fine and can help break any ice that might be there, however, you need to keep it as clean as if you were talking to someone’s elderly grandmother. People who get too friendly or even borderline offensive with they way they speak might think they are showing comfort with whom they are talking too but could be alienating them and any more potential networkers.

Building trust and relationship

While you are there to promote yourself and your business, networking is not just about you. Make sure that you engage who you are talking to about their business. You never know what you might be able to gleam from their side of the conversation. It’s also very important to be open and honest about your business and even your reasons for coming to the event. These tips will ensure that you build a genuine rapport with the person and let them know that they can trust you.

Narrow your search and keep expectation realistic

We’ve all heard the story of the business person that went to an event talked to everyone and walked away with a million dollars. It’s as made up as the claim I wrote saying “We’ve all heard the story”. Keeping your network to the areas of interest that can help you and your business is key to making sure you don’t waste precious time. Keeping your expectations realistic is also helpful as you will most likely not make a billion-dollar client from a networking event but you will make contacts that might make the opportunity greater.

If you would like some more tips about business networking, contact us as we live for it.

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