If you have an event coming up where you will be in a room with business professionals, this blog was designed for you.

1. Leave Hidden Agendas Home

All too often, new entrepreneurs and job seekers go into a networking event thinking it’s their chance to capture x y or z. Remove hidden agendas from your mind. Go to the event looking to learn from others and share information you know, and before you know it you will be having fun.

2. No One likes Desperate

Whether you’re dating or networking, neediness is a major turn-off. Desperate people give off bad energy and are easy to spot. Instead take the ‘I have nothing to lose but everything to gain’ mentality. Remember you are there to learn and teach.

3. Have Sincere Conversations

People can spot B.S a mile away, also people will respect you when you address jargon non-sense. Be polite! Something as simple as “What does that mean?” works wonders in a jargon filled conversation.

Spark a simple conversation and people will respond back sincerely.

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Can not stress this one enough. Do you ever wonder why some people can talk to anyone with ease? Well most of the time they have mastered the art of asking open-ended questions without sounding like the 40-year old virgin.
The goal here is to always ask people questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. Pick questions that demand a real answer, like, “How has your industry changed in the past 10 years?” “What are your customers asking for the most?” and “Why do you think that is?”

5. Connect With Everyone (and Never Look Over Anyone’s Shoulder)

Maybe your goal is to find a new job as a community manager, but you’re “stuck” talking to an IT engineer. Don’t write off the opportunity. I can’t tell you how many people have found a client or job through someone who knows someone who knows someone. What’s the lesson here? Appreciate each person you meet, don’t be dismissive, and never ever scan the room while talking to someone. You just never know where a conversation may lead.