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I teach Networking teleclasses and coach on effective stress-free networking, & I see how many folks don't really know how to network, or even what networking really is.

Want to ensure you make the most of every networking opportunity?

Here's what you do...NOT!!!

   1. Forget all about the person you're meeting-just make sure you get your "Elevator Speech" out, they'll just blah, blah, blah blah, anyway...

   2. Make sure you give out as many business cards as you can & get a stack from all those potential sales, too!

   3. Don't stay talking with one person for more than 1-2 minutes-and keep your eyes on "new pigeons" more important than the one you're currently selling.

   4. Steer your sales presentation back to you! Networking is just another way of giving your "sales pitch".  Talking about interests, pets, families etc. is a waste of selling time & should be avoided at all costs.  

BONUS

Now, this won't be popular-I'm going out on a limb...I've read in lots of marketing, networking & business development books, newsletters, articles & asked countless folks their view on seeing a FREE email address on professional marketing materials (brochures, business cards, postcards, flyers...).  Ex  whoever@ gmail/hotmail/yahoo.com  

It is just so easy (even on a shoestring budget) to get an email address with your web site.  Many Internet providers do this as part of their package--ex.GoDaddy.com has frequent specials on getting an email address to reflect your business name web site (ex. Mary@companyname.com).  FREE email addresses give the impression of transience and that the business isn't established for the long haul.

For those of you who don't have a web site yet, use an email address with your company name, e.g. yourcompanyname@aol/verizon.com...
If your name is your company, use it!  It is more professional and engenders greater trust that your business is solid, not a fly-by-night operation.  Remember, trust=customers, clients, patients=sales=$$!