Part 3: Network with Confidence!!

Over the past week we have been discussing "networking vs. netwatching" & the "signs of being a netwatcher". We discussed the different "types of networking event styles" and what to do at these particular events. 

Whether you are in the netwatching phase or a blooming networker it must be done with confidence. Wondering how you can be a confident netwatcher?? --> If you're in the netwatching phase and you begin to have confidence within yourself it will allow you to move up and out and continue on your journey to become a successful networker!!

Today I want to discuss how to network with confidence, by describing a networking technique I like to call...

"Maneuvering-The-Room"

Learning how to maneuver a room at any kind of networking event, whether educational or social is very important. You do not want to become bound in one area and miss out on creating new relationships. So follow these 10 simple rules and you will be awesome at maneuvering no matter the occasion.

So let's maneuver...

#1. Enter with confidence, (enter with a smile!)...

                                                                                                     #2. Find a familiar face and strike up a convo. (not required..this is just what I do.)...     

                                                          #3. Walk to grab a drink or bite to eat and engage with another person doing the same...laugh, find something great to talk about!...

                                                                                                                #4. Find a table, sit and enjoy your food..a table that has someone at it...discuss something...

....By now you have circulated the room...you've seen a familiar face which has already boosted your confidence and made you more comfortable. Don't stay with that person too long as you want to meet others. People love to talk over food & drinks so creating small talk over food is like an ice-breaker. (Talk about the food if you can't think of anything else.) By step three you have began to settle into your self. So finding a table that already has people will be a good idea because you want to keep the flow going..don't isolate yourself! When sitting at a table and engaging your able to now 1. Eat, 2. Find your business cards and 3. Make a new friend. (because when people are sitting at a table they are kind of forced to talk to each other for at least a few minutes, which in return can end up in a great convo!)...

#5. Continue to mingle, grab another drink, introduce yourself with a hand shake & smile...

                                                                                                                   

                                                                              #6. Find a semi-full table and jump in the conversation...

                                                    #7. Be a conversation starter by asking questions and being excited about the other Pros!...

#8. KEEP IT POSITIVE, talk about social media: twitter, facebook, etc...

                                                                                                                        #9. Say hello to the person/company that put on this great event!...

                                                                                         #10. Don't leave without saying bye! Walk out with someone that you met keeping the conversation going all the way to the parking lot!

If a connection was made, reconnect after the event! Remember that a networking event is a room full of wedding/event industry related pros that want to sell you their services after the event is over! We all want to be of assistance to another pro as long as it's a good fit! Remember to stand out and to continuously attend local events. Become a face people remember when they walk into a room.

What's great about networking is that it doesn't have to happen only in person. Network via social media, via webinars, skype, oovoo, etc. Technology has advanced so greatly that there is truly no reason to not make any connections. Expose yourself to all that is available!

Share a tip! How do you "Maneuver-The-Room"??

Sincerely,

Part 1: "5 Signs You Are Netwatching!"

Today I will begin the three part series on the subject of:

Are You "Networking" or Netwatching"?? <-- Click to read more..) 

Part 1 begins with netwatching. Netwatching is what I described as, "watching others network". Netwatching is normally not something done on purpose, but tends to be how most people start out when they begin to explore the area of networking.

5 Signs You Are Netwatching:

• #1. You are not attending any networking events.
• #2. When you attend you don't talk to hardly anyone.
• #3. You don't bring business cards to hand out.
• #4. You wait for others to acknowledge you.
• #5. You leave networking events early.

If after reading these five signs, you feel that they were describing you; then you are netwatching and NOT networking. You're getting all dressed up and no one is noticing your awesome accessories or nice hair cut. Bummer. Networking is about stepping out and being remembered. If you are serious about your business and want to see it blossom and expand then stop netwatching. 

Okay, so you know you're a netwatcher...now what?!? What is the next step that needs to be taken?? It's "easy"...you need to begin networking! Easy, I really like that word because often times when it is used, it's used in an area that is not very easy to most. Networking can be "easy", yet it takes the right characteristics to make a great impression! 

Don't know how to do "easy" networking? Then tune in for the rest of the series, which is continuing on Monday to learn what networking is all about and how to become a confident networker!!

Before you go read one of my netwatching experiences. (Yup, I admit that I use to netwatch..Guilty!)

...It was a June 2009 networking event and I was going solo (scared..lol) I drove roughly 30 minutes talking to myself about how I will be confident as I walk in. So I arrived in my business attire and lucky me the weather wasn't the greatest (so my hair began getting frizzy). There went half the confidence that I gave myself in the car..lol (all over my hair!! smh) So I go in and I get my name tag and all this information. I walk into the room and I know not one person. So I smile and nod my head here and there from afar. As I walk from booth to booth I come across a cake booth and two young ladies asked me for my business card after a few minutes of conversation. (I was sooooo happy...lol) So of course I am like yes, that would be great. As I struggled for almost five minutes to get my plain--white--one sided--basic business cards (remember your business card is a representation of your business, so if your business isn't plain and boring then your business card shouldn't be either--make the needed investment from the start!). While searching for my business cards (dropping the papers I had in my hand) I eventually took theirs and handed them mines and don't you know a pen busted in my purse and got all over my already plain business cards o_O...I didn't notice until they brought it up which was even more embarrassing!! I couldn't wait to get out of there..lol...the story is almost over...I then continued to walk around and I saw another group talking about blogging (which at that time I blogged all the time..lol) so I figured I would jump in the convo...didn't happen!! I think they were offended that I tried to give my input. Or maybe I had extreme newbie written on my face ;-)..who knows..lol. Needless to say I left early and more scared of networking then when I had arrived. Luckily I didn't stop there. I will share more successful stories later in the series. ;-)

Netwatching is a phase of networking that many go through. It isn't a negative thing. When you notice that you are doing it, it's UBER important to make the changes to start networking!

Until next time..Share a story of a netwatching experience that you had!!

Sincerely,

Are You "Networking!!" or "Netwatching??"

Photo taken by: Photographer Unknown

 Me at ABC's Southern New Jersey networking event taken place at DFX Sound Vision!

(I'm wearing the big yellow bag and orange skirt :-D)

I love networking! I love to network! But for those that don't and maybe those that do you may or may not know what it actually is. Networking in my book can be defined as stepping out of your comfort zone to get to know another person with the goal of doing business in the future. Again this is just my definition...if you would like a more defined one, Please Click Here! This post is related to networking events vs one-on-one networking meetings.

Now when attending a networking event for the first time it can be scary! (I know from experience) It is recommend that you bring someone with you (well my recommendation) so that you are more comfortable maneuvering around the room. (if you don't know how to "maneuver the room" I will provide some tips on a later post!) Whether in a pair or alone it is crucially important that you attempt to say hello to everyone. This hello can be a simple wave & big smile from across the room, it can be a hand shake & big smile making it more personal, or it can mean sitting down at a table and passing out a business card after a few minutes of conversation all while wearing a big smile! As you can see, smiling is important...why?? "Well because you look more charming when you smile and people remember and rather engage with a smiling person who looks friendly then a serious person"

If you are completing this task solo it may take you a little longer, like attending 2 or 3 more networking events longer, but that's okay! Bravery comes in steps so take baby steps if need be. Once you've attended you a few you begin to make friends and that's where the fun begins!! 

Photo taken by: Mogul Photography

My wedding planner colleagues enjoying some cocktails at the I Do Brunch, a relaxing networking event for Wedding Planners! (Amani, Deidre, Sharnell, Me, Stephanie & LaTonya.)

(I had a virgin cocktail..the bartender said I looked like a baby..lol)

Networking is powerful and can lead to many open doors later down the road. However, some people attend networking events and "netwatch". Well what is "netwatching" you ask?? Netwatching is when you watch others network! (it's that simple) Like said before attending these type of events can be scary but you will get nowhere if you come in: go to the bar to grab a drink, find a table and hope that someone will come say hi (which some"one" more than likely will) as you watch the others attending laugh and putting on their brave faces while walking around the room. As a netwatcher you've handed out 0-3 business cards when there is a room full of people and you leave more scared of networking then when you arrived! 

When netwatching you are not stepping out of your comfort zone, instead your more than likely hoping noone comes over to the big empty table (seated for 8 ppl, but it's just you and a large centerpiece) to say hello. Netwatching means that you probably haven't practiced what you would say if someone came over and I am probably sure many networkers don't do this either. None the less, practice makes perfect and makes you more confident! So practice what you want others to know about you and it will make you 100% more confident as you walk into a room full of newbies & professionals who are coming together to network. Mustard up the courage to go from table to table and simply start by introducing yourself and then smile! Smiling makes everyone more relaxed, so always remember to smile and give out your business card!

"As a netwatcher, your watching others get ahead. Don't be a netwatcher..be a networker!"

So I don't overwhelm you this will be broken down into a three part series of "Netwatching", "Networking", & "Tips on being a confident networker". This three part series will give you more insight on how to network and not netwatch.

This series starts Friday!! So make sure you check back in so you don't miss anything!! 

Until then ask yourself this question... 

"Am I Networking or Netwatching"??
Share your story below, it just may help someone!

Sincerely,