Networking - M - Mingle

It's always easier to attend a networking event with someone you know, but make sure you don't stand in the corner and only talk to each other.  Set yourself a 5 minute limit to catch up at the beginning of the event and then mingle people, mingle.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - L - Learn People's Names

We all know how it feels to start talking to someone we 'know', only to realise they have forgotten our name.  It certainly doesn't make you feel valued or important, does it?  By making an effort to remember someone's name you have the opportunity to make them feel wonderful the next time you meet.  That feeling goes a long way towards building a lasting relationship.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - K - Keep Engaged

When someone is speaking to you, always be present in the conversation and stop worrying about what else is going on.  You may well be waiting for someone else to arrive or wanting to catch someone before they leave, but if that's the case, say so and excuse yourself.  There's nothing harder than talking to someone who is only half-way engaged.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - J - Jot Notes

Once you have finished a conversation with a new contact, take 2 minutes to jot some notes on the back of their business card.  When you go to follow up the next day, you'll be able to easily remember who the person was and where the potential connections lie.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - I - Introduce

It's easy to get caught up talking with one person the whole night; especially if you are their only contact in the room.  A good way to break the conversation and enable you both to meet new people is to say 'There's someone I'd love you to meet.  Let me introduce you.'  After introducing the person to another of you contacts, leave them to get acquainted and find someone new to talk with.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - H - Host

If you attend a regular networking group, find out how to go about hosting the event at your place.  This gives you a chance to really showcase who you are and what you do, and its amazing how connections deepen once people have seen your home-base.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - G - Get Their Details

Be proactive in asking for people's business cards or contact details - don't just leave it for them to get in touch with you.

from Tonic magazine, Issue 20

Networking - F - Follow Up

After meeting someone for the first time, always follow up with a brief email.  Based on the conversation you had, try to include something that you think may be of interest to them.  It could be a link to a website, an interesting article or perhaps contact details for someone you think they should meet.  This shows the person that you were actually listening to what they had to say and are genuinely interested in helping them out.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20

Networking - E - Effort

For networking to be truly effective you need to be persistently consistent.  That means you need to attend the events on a regular basis, even if you don't feel like it.  The more you attend, the more people you get to know you, and the deeper the relationships and possibilities become.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20

Networking - D - Don't, Won't and Can't

Always keep your conversations positive and never talk about what other people should or could be doing better.  When the conversation turns to funding (as it inevitably does), try not to paint a desperate woes-me picture; people are more likely to support you if you paint a picture of success.  Focus on what is working well and encourage support in that area.

from Tonic Magazine, Issue 20