To get past your discomfort in talking to strangers, set a goal for yourself before you attend any networking event. Decide how many new contacts you want to make or how many strangers you want to meet. In some cases, you may specifically target individuals you'd like to know.
Next, come up with some icebreakers or conversation starters. Have questions prepared that you can ask anyone you meet at the event. You may want to inquire about other people's business, their connection to the sponsoring organization, or their opinion of the venue.
Lack of a formal introduction. It's much easier to make a new contact when there is someone else to handle the introduction and pave the way. But if you wait for another person to make the move, you may not meet anyone. At networking events, the goal is to meet as many people as possible.
This is the time to take the bull by the horns, walk up to people you don't know, introduce yourself and start a conversation. You can do this if you have prepared your self-introduction in advance.
You will not introduce yourself the same way on every occasion. Perhaps it is your first time attending an association meeting. In that case, you might want to say that as part of your introduction. Let people know who you are and why you are there and give them a reason to ask more abut you.
Fear of being seen as pushy. You may think that you will turn people off if you are assertive and that if they want to talk to you, they will make the first move. If this is your line of thinking, you will find yourself spending your time alone at the reception or function and leaving without a single new connection. Being open, friendly and interested does not turn people off.
You will not come across as overly aggressive if you seek out the "approachable" people. These are the ones who are standing alone or who are speaking in groups of three or more. Two people talking to each other are not approachable because they may be having a private conversation and you would be interrupting.
Thinking that other people may not like you. There is always the risk that the other person is not interested in you and doesn't want to meet or talk to you. It happens. If that is the case, don't take it personally. Nothing ventured is nothing gained. When you get a cold shoulder, smile, move on and say to yourself, "Next?"
Having your intentions misunderstood. Approaching someone of the opposite sex to begin a conversation may seem more like flirting than networking. This is more of an issue for women than men. Women have an equal place in the work arena and need to make professional connections just as men do. Women in business can no longer afford to hold back when there is opportunity at hand.
Neither men nor women will have their motives misinterpreted if they present themselves professionally in their attire and if they keep the conversation focused on business issues or topics that are not personal or private.
Whatever your stumbling blocks, face them before the next networking event and devise a personal plan for getting past them. Once you do, you will find yourself connecting with confidence and courtesy on every occasion and the results will be reflected in your bottom line.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of Manners that Sell: Adding the Polish that Builds Profits. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc. , Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her Web site at www.mannersthatsell.com.
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