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Posts Tagged ‘events’

I’ve had an abundance of networking opportunities this year which I’m very grateful for.  Even though I am an extrovert (no matter what behavior style tool is used to identify me–I am what I am) and I find it easy to talk to people, connecting to new, interesting people is always a challenge.

This year I’ve taken a new tact to networking.  I find an empty table near the center of the action, choose a seat facing the room, make myself comfortable and open my energy to be welcoming, receptive and filled with positive thoughts of attracting the people I need to encounter during that event.

The results have been amazing, I have connected with the most interesting people.  Many of whom I would not have connected with otherwise.  They arrive alone or in small groups and within moments the entire table is filled with warmth, comraderie and instantaneous connections.   Sometimes the connections are formed between others and the environment of the table seemed to make that possibility happen for them.   It creates such an interesting phenomenon to watch and enjoy.

I’ve connected with new clients, new friends, new colleagues and meet business idols I’ve only known virtually all these years.  I found many cases where the degrees of separation are just one or two people away.

What’s your favorite in person networking technique?

As much as we complain about the traffic, the high prices, the smog, etc; living in a large metropolitan city does have it merits and this last month has been abundant with networking opportunities here in the Pacific Northwest.

I was able to attend several types of events for little more than some time and minimal dollar investments.   There were actual networking events, learning events, social events and I won a ticket to hear a well-known speaker, have breakfast at a conference whose attendees are my target market and was blessed to meet some incredible people at all events.   It is been an amazingly busy month but I’ve enjoyed it immensely.

Being “out there” online created the opportunity for every one of these events as each event came through a different type of social media connection.  Twitter, Linked In, RSS feeds and Facebook provide such a wonderful opportunity to meet people online and then get out and connect face to face.

Through Twitter I was able to follow a conference being held in Chicago and make a great connection retweeting their helpful information.

How are you ensuring you take advantage of the opportunities in your area?