How to improve your networking skills at big events

How to improve your networking skills at big eventsHow to improve your networking skills at big eventsIn business, its all about who you know. Thats why networking is such an important skill to master. Whether youre chatting with someone in an elevator or attending an industry conference, you never know who youll meet - and thats precisely why you start the conversation.You might be new to the practice, or you might be an experienced networker. Either way, theres always room for improvement - here are six ways to hone the skill and shine at your next networking event.1. Be a Good ListenerYou might think networking is all about what you say, but listening is actually an essential skill to bring to your next event. The partie with whom youre speaking will tell if youre not paying close attention to what theyre saying. Ask thoughtful questions in response to what you hear is one way to show youre listening. Exhibit open body language. Smile. These are all ways to show youve listened to everything they said.Not only will your listening skills make a good impression, but youll gain something from them, too. Youll learn about the person youre speaking to, and youll figure out quickly what value you can gain from one another. Plus, youll build a valuable connection much more quickly this way.You wont simply exchange business cards and scuttle off - youll remember their name, and youll more likely connect later, too.2. Have a Real ConversationTo that end, try and cultivate a genuine connection at your next networking event. All of your conversations dont have to be industry-related - in fact, schmoozing this way can leave a bad taste in your mouth afterward.So, ask people questions about themselves and their lives. You might find a lasting connection based on your family lives, interests or upbringing. That commonality will be what forges arelationship outside of the event, not the fact you spent five minutes talking about your business and the industry in which you w ork.3. Prove Youre Trustworthy Rather Than SuccessfulYou might think that potential connections will want to work with you because of your proven track record of success. But at a networking event, its not about your bottom line - its about your perceived trustworthiness.Think about it - a connection wont want to put in a good word for you unless they think you will prove their recommendation right. Their reputations are on the line, too, so show that youre worthy of their trust, build a real connection and see where it takes you.4. Dont Circulate Too MuchYou might think youre supposed to cycle from conversation to conversation at these types of extra-large networking events. However, circulating too quickly can be a bad look.For one thing, you wont remember what anyones saying if you move from one person to another as fast as you think you should. Weve already covered the importance of listening, as well as the value of a genuine conversation. None of these must-dos will be possibl e if you talk to everyone in the room.On top of that, other networkers will notice you always looking over their shoulder to see who else you can talk to. Needless to say, thats not a good feeling to have, and it wont reflect well on you as a connection. So, try and cultivate more in-depth conversations that mean something more to you both - that way, the relationships you make will stick.5. Follow Up After the FactSome might argue that the networking event isnt the most critical part of the process - the follow-up is. This is where the connection becomes stronger and solidified, as you offer upopportunities to work together, speak further, share contacts, etc.Of course, theres an art to the follow-up, too. Youll want to craft the perfect schmelzglas to each one of your new connections. Its critical that you personalize every message, so the person knows you remember them and that you value the conversation you shared. But you dont just want to send an email for no reason - make a valuable proposition with each message. Otherwise, why would they email you back if theres no call to action?6. Be Open to AnythingYoull always have an idea of how a networking event will go. You might also go with a list of attendees youd like to speak to. However, youll never know what will happen until you actually go, and your agenda could be squashed when you connect with someone unexpected. The best plan to have is no plan at all - instead, be open to speaking to anyone about anything. Merely being approachable could open doors you never knew were there.Be YouNo matter what, networking requires you to be yourself when you speak to, connect with and follow up with all the connections you make. Keeping these six tips in mind will make you even more comfortable and effective at the next networking event and beyond.