There are 19 Networking Nuggets that I share in the 4 ½ Networking Mistakes.
I would consider myself to be a masterful networker; at the same time, I am an introvert. Walking into a room packed with 50 to 100 people is enough to have those nerves come out! We know we need to network, and can often feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, and confused as to where to start. Yet, inside that room may be the ideal referral partner, rewarding client, or the perfect solution to a pressing problem.
Networking Nugget #4: Act Like a Host, not a Guest
When you are a guest at an event, you are often left waiting on others to make things happen and required to go with the flow. When you are the host, you create the event you want, know where to sign-in, or essentials like food and beverages, and make sure people are comfortable and introduce them around. By acting as the host, your visibility and credibility will skyrocket.
As a host, you want to:
• Make sure no guests are left unattended
• Create introductions
• Help people with the layout of the room (check-in, locating sponsor tables, food and beverage, restrooms, etc.)
Acting like the host is an ideal way to refine or develop excellent networking skills and engage with greater numbers of entrepreneurs in a shorter amount of time. The credibility created also may help in getting those referrals to flow.
You may have to “fake it ‘til you make it” to become comfortable acting as host at events you attend. If you are unable to fake it, volunteer to be an ambassador or visit host for networking organizations you already belong to.
Ivan Misner, Ph.D., is a New York Times best-selling author, and the Founder of BNI (www.BNI.com), the world’s largest business networking organization.