YPC Mixer at Miss Kitty's

If you weren’t at Tuesday night’s Young Professionals Connection Mixer, “Jump Start Your Network”…shame on you! The event was hosted by Miss Kitty’s with food provided by Johnny’s Hall of Fame.

It was a fantastic event including free food and discounted drinks. I networked with a lot of great people and made fantastic connections. Isiah McGee (http://www.mcgeestrategies.com) spoke about networking and the dos and don’ts that go along with it. He provided all of us with tips on how to network, which I’m sharing below:

McGee Strategies Ten Tips to Networking

1. Plan Ahead – Know exactly what type of event you are going to, who is sponsoring it, what the attire is and who will be attending. Be prepared for certain scenarios, think of some opening lines, transitions and exit strategy. Luck is just preparation meeting opportunity.

2. Know Your News – be up-to-date on some of the latest trends and events. Read the newspaper and current books, watch TV and not just CNN, but sitcoms, Sportscenter, reality TV.

3. Step Away from the Spinach Dip – the big no-no in networking is staying around the food table. How many opportunities did you lose out on by getting your third helping of cheese cake bars? You want to be a good guest and nibble on a snack or two, but remember, you are there to network, not pig out!

4. Be a Farmer, not a Hunter – Hunters go for the kill; they seek out their targets, they believe they are being patient and they pounce with precision. When prey know they are being hunted, they run away. Farmers understand that there are a lot of external variables that contribute to their yield and the best thing they can do is be consistent, and practice TRUE patience.

5. Go It Alone – Some spend networking events talking to the same people they already know. How will your business or reputation grow if you only speak with those with whom you are familiar or comfortable? If you go with someone, use each other as an aid, introduce them to others and then move on. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn by talking to people you do not think you have a lot in common with.

6. Ask Questions – The best way to get to know someone is to ask. People love to talk about themselves, but it’s not good enough to ask those surface level questions. Go a little further and start asking motivational and value-based questions. Don’t just find out “What?”, but find out “Why?”, too.

7. 80/20 Principle – 80% of your conversation should be asking surface, motivating, value-based and clarifying questions. The remaining 20% is spent setting the foundation to your questions and empathizing or relating to their responses. Without the other 20%, tip 6 will make you seem like some investigative reporter.

8. Stay Positive – Don’t confuse pessimism with realism. Are you “being real” or “being rude”? Being Pollyanna, might get annoying to some, but being a grouch only turns people away.

9. Be Outstanding; Don’t Necessarily Stand Out – You want to leave an impression, but not too much, otherwise people lose their sense of relatability to you.

10. Follow-up – Don’t let the relationship die out like a cheap one night stand. The quick email and/or thank you note are loosing their effectiveness; however, the idea is not lost. Simple, unexpected notes, as well as follow-up coffees are still effective.