Learn to relax and enjoy networking

Some people love walking into a room full of strangers. For others it can be a daunting prospect. But anyone can be a successful networker. It’s all about attitude, expectations and outlook.

If you fall into the latter camp, the easiest way to adjust your attitude into a more positive frame is to remember most people actually feel the same as you.

When you first enter the room, take a look around.

If you’re looking at people as potential sales targets, you’re probably causing yourself more anxiety than is necessary and setting yourself up for a fall.

But if you look at people as people, with stories to tell, representing interesting and diverse businesses that you have a curiosity to learn more about, then you’re making it easier on yourself and them.

So when you approach someone to say hello, make it about them, not about you. People love to talk about themselves when asked.

So what better way to introduce yourself than by asking someone about themselves, where they’ve come from, who they are looking to meet?

Showing an interest in others is easy. And if they ask you the same questions back, then great. But still don’t sell. Just talking is the way to form connections that can bear fruit later.

Networking is all about getting to know people and allowing them to get to know you.

The business end usually comes outside the meeting, when the connections you have made come across somebody who requires your products or services. When accompanied by some lunchtime drinks and a nice meal, that’s not so daunting, is it?