In power networking, a positive mindset is absolutely essential. You need to be positive in order to motivate yourself to get out there and meet people. It’s frightening to walk into a room full of strangers who all know each other but don’t know you. If you radiate positivity, it attracts people to you.

Know Your Strengths

Focus on your personal strengths and the things you’re offering the people you meet. If you focus on these, it will give you the confidence to meet people, knowing you have some value to give. When you know this value, it’s easier to put yourself out there.

No Big Deal

Power networking may be vital to your business and success in life, but go into it imagining it’s ‘no big deal.’ You may have a quota of contacts to meet and a rehearsed story to tell them, but don’t make it a life or death situation. Imagine that you’re just socializing and it doesn’t matter if anything comes of it. Thinking this way removes the pressure and helps you relax.

Focus on Other People

Although you’re introducing yourself and telling your story, listening and learning about other people is just as important. When in conversation, ask questions and get others to talk about themselves. This shifts the focus away from you while also showing that you’re interested in them. And it’s easy to do because most people love to talk about themselves.

Fake It

Positivity comes from a feeling of success. If you’re just starting off toward your goal, you may not feel terribly successful. But even if you’re not there yet, imagine that you are. Imagine that you’ve landed that job or you’ve met your fundraising quota already. This isn’t a form of lying but just a trick of the mind that helps you stay relaxed and positive.

No Way to Lose

Keep in mind that there’s no way you can massively mess up your power networking. Even if the event is disorganized and the people are rude and you walk away without a single business card, who cares? Just leave that event and never come back. You’re not committed to any one event and there is no lasting negative effect if it doesn’t go well.

Prepare Well

Create a game plan, a good story, questions to ask others, and a good long-term goal. If you’re well prepared and practiced, the confidence will come naturally. You’ll know exactly what to say and it will be one less thing on your mind.

It Gets Better

When you first start networking, remember that it’s perfectly alright to be nervous. Everyone is, even though they may not show it. As you attend more events, it gets easier partly because you have more experience and partly because you can improve your strategy and methods. Eventually, every step in the process, from finding events to following up, becomes second nature.