Businesses expect their top talent to not only be good at the day job but to know the right people (internally and externally) and keep up with the latest news and views in the industry and beyond.

An accomplished networker will be able to directly and indirectly create new business leads, gather market insights and raise the profile of their organisation all through chatting with strangers. Here are Pitch’s tips for creating and benefiting from Networking opportunities:

Before the event

• Regularly search the internet and trade press to see what events are happening in your area.
• Do your homework to ensure you are at the right event with the right people.
• Check the guest list in advance and familiarise yourself with the attendees and companies they represent.
• Consider what you would like to achieve from a networking opportunity and prepare conversation starters to help you achieve your goals.
• If the content and guest list might be useful for a colleague or client, invite them along (thus creating a further networking opportunity, elevating your standing with the invitee and providing some company so that you don’t feel like ‘Billy no Mates!’).

At the event

• Engage in a little people watching rather than rush to engage with the first person you see.
• If there is someone you are keen to meet but not sure who they are, ask the host if they can introduce you.
• Be aware of your body language and non-verbal cues. Your posture, eye contact, facial expressions and handshake may signal how engaged and comfortable you are.

• Aim to establish a rapport and leave a good impression with everyone you meet. Show that you are actively listening whether in a brief one to one interchange or in a group discussion and don’t appear to be looking for the next potential contact, rather than engage with the current.

• If you feel a conversation has come to a natural end, don’t drift off, thank the person for their time, indicate what you found particularly interesting about the conversation and wish them a pleasant rest of the evening (making sure you exchange business cards).

• Don’t overindulge! Don’t turn up hungry and turn people off by ravenously eating whilst talking, and don’t drink alcohol beyond the point at which you can continue to present yourself as you did on arrival.

After the event

• Make a note of who you met, what they were interested in, any information they shared with you and how further contact with you might be of value to them (as well as you).
• Did you say you would follow up with anyone you met? Maybe you agreed to send them a link to a website or facilitate an introduction with someone? If you did, make sure you follow up within a few days of the event.
• Try to agree a schedule and method of communication with any new contacts that you made. Gauge their interest and suggest diarising the next contact accordingly so as not to appear too pushy or disinterested.