How Can I Be More Sociable at Business Networking Events?

Sometimes in order to be successful, you have to go outside your comfort zone. This includes having success at a networking event. Don’t be afraid to walk up to people and introduce yourself. It’s a networking event after all and people are at the event with the sole intention of meeting new people. So though it may be strange to approach a stranger on the street, it is not as strange to do it at a networking event.

But there’s a lot more than overcoming a fear of approaching people out of the blue. I have some tips for you in my article, Maximizing a Networking Event as well as 8 Simple Ways to Prepare and Get The Most out of a Networking Event. Here’s some tips for starting and ending conversations at networking events as well.

Generally speaking, here’s a few tips for you though:

– Prepare before the event. Try to find out the guest list ahead of time by contacting the host and figure out the people you really want to meet and seek them out.

– Ask good questions. Open ended questions rather than questions that can be answered with one word are your best bet.

– Body language is huge. Make sure you look happy to be there and don’t give off the vibe like you don’t want anyone to talk to you. Even if you want people to talk to you, you still have to give off the appearance that you want that too. People can’t read your mind. Show it with your body language.

– Try to stand in areas where it will be impossible to avoid you. If there’s a bar, stand in that area. People will need to pass by you when they get a drink. Or stand near the bathroom (but not too close to it where it’s creepy).

– And the best tip we can give you, is to enroll in this course which will give you everything you could possibly need to nail your next networking event and all future ones after that.

Best of luck! Make it a great day and remember to always NetWorkWise.

This article originally appeared on Quora.