Have you ever found yourself networking in a room of complete strangers? Maybe you don't know a single person in the room? Use these strategies to keep anxiety at bay, and still network effectively.

1. Introduce yourself to the host/hostess, and ask him to make an introduction on your behalf to a person he thinks will be friendly and open to you.

2. Find the person who looks as scared at you feel, and walk up to that person and introduce yourself. The frightened soul will be eternally grateful.

3. Engage the staff in conversation. This will at least get you talking and help you focus less on your nervousness until you move your way into the crowd.

   

4. Have about 3 curiosity driving questions on hand to ask as openers to a conversation. If the questions are good enough, good conversation will flow.

5. Calm your state before entering the room, and use the tourist mindset if needed. Enter the room as a tourist, interested and adventurous, rather than as a performer, anxious and self conscious.

Go network my friend, and remember;

"Be a tourist" is a mantra you'll read often in this blog. A tourist mindset keeps you curious, which leads to relationship building necessary for receiving and passing referrals.

Faithann Basore and her husband Dave have owned Window Cleaning Plus (WCP) for 9 years. Growing WCP through networking has given Faithann the desire to guide other small business owners through the networking terrain so they can feel comfortable and build long lasting relationships in their business.

Got networking questions? Email me at [email protected].