7 Tips For Your Next Meet And Greet

Contributed by Brian Ochsner

We’ve all heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” To meet these new “whos,” you’ll have to attend different events. And it’s critical to make a good impression on people that you’ll meet. To do this, you have to be prepared. Here are 7 tips that’ll prepare you well for your next meet and greet.

1. Listen more than you speak . There’s a reason why we have two ears and one mouth. Remember that everyone’s favorite subject in the whole wide world is…themselves! Think of it as an adventure when you meet someone new. You get different perspectives on life, and it expands your horizons. I always learn more when I’m listening than when I’m speaking. Whether the topic is tech stocks, or Microsoft® Excel®, you’ll learn more and have more topics in the future you can talk intelligently about.
2. Stay focused on the person you’re talking to . Again, this should seem like a common sense thing to do. However, more and more Americans seem to have shorter and shorter attention spans. It’s common courtesy, and the more focused you are on a person when you talk with them, the more likely you’ll be able to remember things about that person when you see them again.
3. Have good dental hygiene, and use breath mints before every meeting . This is another instance to err on the side of caution. As my dad says, “It’s better to have something and not need it, instead of needing something and not having it.” Whether it’s fair or not, people judge you to a large extent by your grooming and personal hygiene. Even if you’re one of the greatest conversationalists around, bad breath can detract from the first impression you have on someone. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. You want to be remembered for your positive aspects, instead of bad breath.
4. Dress as well as you can . People judge you by what you say, how you say it, and how you present yourself. We live in a very image-conscious society. How well you sell yourself depends a large part on how you look and dress. I realize not everyone was blessed with the genetics of Brad Pitt, or Angelina Jolie or can afford a designer wardrobe. It’s definitely no disgrace to ask for Windows® help, and it’s also OK to ask for style help. Consult a friend, relative or coworker who has the best sense of fashion and style to assist you. You can also hire an image consultant for about several hundred dollars.
5. Eat and drink after you meet with others . You don’t have to do this, but I’d recommend it. Having a drink containing caffeine can make you nervous or jittery, and an alcoholic beverage – well, you’ve probably seen what can happen when someone has one alcoholic drink too many. It’s probably not the positive impression you want to leave with others. Trying to “eat and greet” at the same time can be challenging. And definitely don’t try and talk with your mouth full of appetizers. Remember what your mother told you?
6. Whenever possible, give yourself plenty of time to make the event . By doing this, you’ll be more relaxed and at ease when you arrive. If you’re going to a new location, log on to Mapquest.com, or Yahoo! Maps, print out the directions and put them in your car or briefcase the night before the event. If possible, arrange some buffer time in your schedule so things don’t have to go perfectly for you to be on time. The more relaxed you are, the more confident you’ll appear, and you’ll make a better impression on others at the event. I realize that life happens: a family emergency, car trouble, or traffic jams, just to name a few. The more time you give yourself to get somewhere, the less stress these unexpected events will cause you.
7. Relax, smile and have fun ! Everyone knows the purpose of these events is to make key business contacts in hopes of increasing income. It can be serious business. But there aren’t many people who like to be around – or do business with – people who seem unhappy or uptight. Your chances of making a good impression go up considerably if you’re comfortable in your own skin, and enjoying yourself.

I realize that some people reading this article are extroverts, and some are introverts. And that it’s easier for some people than others to mix and mingle. By following these seven tips – and consistent practice – you may be surprised at the improvement you make in your networking abilities.

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