Have you ever wondered how some people can easily connect with strangers at an event? While you are stuck in your seat or at the food bar, and you’re just waiting for at least one person to say ‘Hi’? Experts say that although extroverts have a natural ability to converse with other people, networking is a skill that introverts can learn – with the right hacks and enough practice. 

So to help you break out of the ‘I hate networking!’ mindset, we created a three-part article series titled: 8 Hacks to Become An Effective Networker. This series will equip you with: 8 actionable hacks you can apply in any networking event, including advice and tips from The Athena Network Singapore members! Stay tuned over the next few days for the series of networking hacks! For now, here are the first three:

Networking Hack #1: Seek Only Connections You Need

When you attend a networking event, do you tell yourself to meet as many people as you can? Or do you set a goal for which people you want to connect with? Networking Hack #1 is all about seeking only connections you need [tweet this hack].

You have to set aside time to study your business goals and identify if:

• there is a missing link in your supply chain

• you want to tap into a new niche market

• you simply want to boost your confidence

Shirley Taylor, an Executive Lifestyle Expert, adds: “Don’t try to talk to everyone. You’ll never be able to speak to everyone at a networking event, simply because there just isn’t the time. Instead, try to focus on networking with a small handful of people.”

That’s exactly what you need to do: make a list of connections you need in your network then meet them at our last Athena event for the month! Starting a conversation with a stranger can be awkward. But doing your homework beforehand can actually help you warm up before attending the event.

Networking Hack #2: Try Pre-Networking

That’s where Networking Hack #2: Try Pre-Networking comes into play [tweet this hack]. Pre-networking is the ‘research mode’ where you:

• check out the Facebook group or online event page for the list of attendees

• look them up on Google, LinkedIn or Twitter

• list down those you’re most interested to meet, and

• plan questions to kick-off the conversation during the event

This will help you identify those you have common interests with and plan questions as icebreakers to get the conversation rolling at the event.

As Pamela Kirpalani, an Executive Lifestyle Expert, wrote in one of her articles: “Do some homework on the ‘influential’ person you might want to reach out to, beyond the “surface level” stuff that everybody already knows, and look into things such as their passion projects you’ve read about.”

And since you already have a mutual connection, you can even introduce yourself before the event using this script:

Hey [name of contact]!

I’m [your full name] from [your business/company], and I’m also attending the [name of the event].

I love what you’ve been doing on [blog/company/project of the contact]. [Insert two or more genuine compliments].

[Invitation to meet at the event]

Networking Hack #3: Separate Yourself From The Pack

Let’s face it, when networking, it’s no longer enough to smile and give a firm handshake. People’s attention spans are increasingly scattered with the bombardment of information and you need to make more effort in separating yourself from the pack. [tweet this hack]

Here are two ways to do just that:

1. Make a unique introduction. People have a tendency to filter out common things, and instead, remember interesting and even controversial pieces of information. For example, introductions such as “I’m an avid snowboarder” will create a visual spark of interest on the other end.

2. Wear an article of clothing that’s memorable. Don’t over do it by wearing something bright head-to-toe, or looking like a clown! Instead wear something small like bright shoes or a unique scarf. This is a great way for people to notice you and start small talk by mentioning your article of clothing.

You don’t want your new acquaintances to forget you, so create that spark of memory for them with a unique introduction and a memorable piece of clothing.

Ready for more hacks? Read Networking Hacks Part 2!

Set yourself up for success. Join The Athena Network today!

_{Written by Joyce Villarisco
Edited by Nedda Chaplin}

_{Image credit: Businesspeople from Shutterstock} 

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