1. When you introduce yourself to a group, tell them more about HOW you work than the details of what you do.
 e.g. We more or less know what a networking organiser does, but maybe the most important thing for me to say to people who don't know my work is that my clubs are relaxed and not cliquey with no rules about attending or anything else really!

2. Be interested in other people and listen to what they say.
Waiting for an opportunity to jump in means we may not hear something important - and it shows!

3. Never dismiss anyone as ' not relevant to my business' - they may have a contact who is just the person you need to speak to.
e.g. one member asked once for an introduction to a specific buyer atv a specific company and was delighted when someone said 'he goes to my golf club, I'll introduce you'.

4. Look for ways to help other networkers. Would it help them to speak to someone you know?
If you help someone else they will remember you and wish to return the favour - and in any case it helps us all to be positive.

 5. Ask people to have a  one to one coffee with you perhaps after the meeting to see if there is any synergy between your businesses or just to get to know more about them. You may have more in common than you thought and if you both target the same market, you can share experience and possibly eventually, after building up trust, contacts.

 6. Build up trust by offering to send a phone number or name and remembering to do it or simply being around so people feel they know you.

Please feel free to add your own comments and tips. There are also some great comments on our LinkedIn discussion on the subject