1) Do not walk in cold. A week before going to the conference, perform research about the people who will be there so that you can plan out who you want to meet. Hence, breaking the ice will be easier.
2) Dress properly and try to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Avoid clothing that makes you look odd, awkward or "different" from the others in the conference.
3) Carry utilities, like a portfolio, to organize your business cards and receiving business cards. This is because fumbling is very unprofessional and should be avoided.
4) Walk confidently and always have a smile on your face because powerful people want to meet and cooperate with those who look professional. Being clumsy or depressed should not be options.
5) It is best to go to the food area because people usually hang around there. Also, food is associated with socializing, which means it can be used to your advantage.
6) At the food area, keep your right hand free so that you can shake hands and interact with people who are eager to speak to you.
7) Scan the people around the room first. This is going to make it easier for you to choose your targets and the path you will use to get to all of them.
8) It is best to approach VIPs first, at least 15 minutes before they start their speeches. This is because they are valuable contacts and they become busy after delivering their speech.
9) It is also a really good idea to spot the lone wolves first. This is because it is easier to speak more privately and integrating into large circles can be very difficult. Talking to individuals is also the most effective way to network.
10) When talking, ask others about themselves so that you can connect to them and make the conversation much more enjoyable for you and them.
11) When asked about yourself, be brief and say your name last so that they can easily remember it and stay in touch.
12) When approaching someone, be the first one to extend your hand. Also, shake hands before departure especially if you are a woman. This procedure is professional and friendly.
13) Ask open-ended question to see if the other person will be helpful or can provide what you are looking for. Also, make sure the conversation is not one way; this can make it awkward, unproductive and the network will be weak.
14) Be ready to give and receive cards. Keep your and others' cards organized so that they do not mix up. Having people's business cards is important so that they can easily be one of your contacts.
15) When confronting people, it is also a good idea to bring along a mutual acquaintance who can introduce you to the other person.
16) If the person you are talking to is looking for something, you should help them with it so that they are willing to help you or do you any favours. Exchanging ideas and information can be helpful for both people. It can help you connect to more people.
17) While conversing, make sure that there is eye contact. Otherwise, the conversation will be awkward and it could mean that the other person is not willing to cooperate.
18) You should follow up on your contacts after the conference so that you can get to know them better. This can strengthen your network with these people and can also serve opportunities which you can use to know more people.
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