In school, we receive training on English, Mathematics, History, Science, and the Arts. 

What we don't receive is training on the skill of networking.  Yet, networking is more vital than just about any skill with exception, perhaps, of mastery of our language.*

There are several basic tips I have learned to help network with confidence and skill:

Confidence boosters:

1.  Smile.

2.  Take the initiative and approach the other person first.

3.  Shake hands or hug if appropriate.

4.  Always say your name even if you are wearing a name tag.

5.  If you are at a conference or dinner, put your name tag on your right lapel.  This is where people look when shaking hands.

6.  Ask open-ended questions.

7.  Leave your opinions at the door.  This helps others trust you.

Conversation starters (finding commonalities):

1.  X marks the spot.  Where are you at RIGHT NOW? Find a prop (visual aid) to help get started... example, "How is that book you're holding?   How do you feel about this speaker's topic?  Great band!  Do you often get out to hear music?

2.  Where do you WORK?  What do you do for a living?  I also suggest being a little slower to ask this question as it can indicate a desire to know what a person earns (especially when asked by a woman to a man).

3.   Think HOME.  Where are you from?  We are all from somewhere.  Sometimes we'll connect based on a commonality in where we come from and where we've been.  My first manager out of college hit it off with me after noticing I went to the same college as his sister - and it ended up helping me get the job offer.

4.  Think FUN!  What do you do for fun?  Some people don't think of their hobbies or their collection of dead butterflies as fun, but it might be something to chat about anyway.  The idea is to see what kind of activities have a good time.  Examples of activities many people enjoy include:  cooking, hiking, gardening, sports (especially golf, skiing, rollerblading and local athletics), working out, dancing, playing music, and going to concerts.

5.  Where do you like to TRAVEL?  (Think airplane)  An activity people love or hate is travel.  Most people enjoy traveling.  I've found discussing favorite or desired travel spots can be enjoyable and also opens up many other topics for discussion.

One last tip? Ask people how they're expressing art in their life. It opens all kinds of interesting conversations! 

We may not consider ourselves a networking guru, but we can gain confidence and experience more networking success using these techniques.  

* Salary surveys indicate a strong correlation between language usage and income earned.

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