5 ways to successfully network at important events

                             
Networking events are essential for many reasons especially if you are really prioritizing your career and have every intention of furthering it.

If you are tired of feeling left out at social events filled with working professionals, learn to walk round a room with a sense confidence and professionalism with these few tips.

According to All Women Stalk, here are a few ways to network at important events:

1. Be armed with your business card: You can introduce yourself in seconds with the aid of a business card. While handing out your cards, it's important to also ask for business cards in order to keep in touch in the future.

2. Carry out enough research on those you are likely to meet at the event: As long as you have an idea on who the attendees to the event are, it's advisable to take your time and do proper research on their backgrounds. You can strike up a good professional conversation if you know a few things about them.

3. Always smile: The importance of a smile cannot be over-emphasised. You look more pleasant and approachable by smiling a lot.

4. Step out of your comfort zone and enter into random conversations: The goal of a networking event is to mingle as much as you can. You'll be speaking a lot to strangers which requires stepping out of your cocoon.

5. Be armed with food and drink: No matter how armed to the teeth you are with research and business cards, there are bound to be some awkward moments. Having a finger food or a nice drink in your hand can help fill out those awkward moments.