Parties are great!

Whether it's your company party, a client's gathering,association festivities or a celebration with family and friends,it's a chance to have fun and get into the spirit of things.

Of course, there are some great networking opportunities to behad. Especially if you're a sales producer (or job searcher)looking to get a fresh start during the New Year.

Learning how to network at a party may be a bit different fromthe usual Chamber of Commerce meeting or networking event, so hereare some quick tips on how to “work the room” while socializing andcelebrating. Cheers!

Keep it light

Yes, it should be light fare! Probably not the best time to getinto heavy conversations about insurance policy rates, politics,the economy, or anything else pressing. (Of course, no doubt, theword “Trump” will come up!) It's a time to get to know people andhave fun conversations about the good things happening both in andout of work. Keep it light, fun, and positive. In fact, it's agreat time to share your intentions for the coming year — bothpersonal and professional. Again, stay positive!

Know who will be at the party

It's important to learn about the people that may be roundingout the guest list. Who do you need or want to meet? Who should youreconnect with? (Whose name do you need to remember? This is agreat way to use LinkedIn!) Who do they need to meet? Howcan you help them? Ultimately, how can you help one another? Themore you know the better you can prepare.

Have your tools of the trade

Leave the tool belt at home. Best to have business cards (yes, even with allthe technology and social media at your fingertips, there isnothing quite like a business card!), a couple of throw away pens,index cards (so you can jot things down), maybe some breath mints,a name tag (worn on the right if possible so it's in eyeshot uponshaking hands), and some holiday cheer!

Initiate conversations

It's always a great thing if you can initiative a conversationrather than waiting for someone to come over and meet you. I thinkwhen you initiate a face-to-face conversation with someone youdon't already know, you can set a nice tone while showcasing yoursmarts and confidence. (I'm confident of that!)

Related: 5 things never to do at a networkingevent

Also, if you can help make someone who's standing alone feelmore comfortable, you're both ahead of the game. “Hello! I'mMichael! Good to see you!” It's as simple as that but best to useyour own name if it isn't in fact Michael. The truth is everyonecan introduce themselves. The challenge that prevents most peoplefrom being bold enough to offer an introduction at a party, mixer,conference or wherever is what do you say next? (So whatnow?) That's where questions come in handy.

Be prepared with questions that can help move theconversation along and open up opportunities to do some networking.(Photo: iStock)

Have questions to ask others

Ask the right questions and you get the right answers. If youdon't ask the question, the answer is always NO.

• What type of year have you had?
• Did you get a chance to do something fun?
• What type of work do you do (if it hasn't revealed itselfyet)?
• Where do you work?
• Who else do you know here?
• Did you accomplish all of your goals for theyear?
• What are some of your big goals for the comingyear?
• What will you do to make sure you achieve them?

Of course, if there is a football conversation to be had (or anysport) or something else fun you have in common, go for it.Conversations should be fun. From a business standpoint, isthere anyone here I can introduce you to? How can I help you inyour business? (Only if you like them and can truly help.) Ofcourse, any questions about current events and light social banterare always welcomed.

Remember, your conversation should not feel like an interview.It should feel like a conversation. If you truly connect (aboutone-third of the time in my estimation), it will feel like you'retalking to a soon-to-be friend. The conversation should be aneffortless back and forth. If it feels forced, then you're in thetwo-thirds territory. Then just move on after a few minutes afterthanking them for the conversation and a “Nice to meet you!”

Ask to be introduced

In knowing who might be at the party, you can always ask for anintroduction. Perhaps a good business contact, someone that hasinsight about a college you're researching for your kid, or someonewho targets the same markets that you do. I find the best way toask for an introduction is to offer one — if you can. Orsimply let the person with whom you're speaking know what type ofpeople (industry, profession, whatever) you're ultimately lookingto connect with. Be careful to never disrespect or downplay theconversation you're currently in. Just saying!

Be polite in terminating conversations

In a business networking setting, I generally don't speak withpeople longer than about 8 minutes (without ever looking at mywatch). But at a party, I may be a bit more relaxed about timeframes as conversations typically have more of a social flair— which is fun! When you want to end a conversation saysomething like, “It was great getting the chance to chat and I lookforward to seeing you later (or again soon).”

Related: Business networking: How to end aconversation

The only thing you are selling is you

I was at a party a couple of years back and there was a guythere for the sole purpose of generating venture capital for aproduct he was developing. He wasn't looking to establish rapportor build a relationship. He was simply there to see if anyone wasinterested in a “business opportunity.” I was speaking with him forabout two minutes before he hit me with a pitch — and anawkward goodbye (for him). So remember, marketing collateral,PowerPoint presentations and sales pitches are a big no-no. Thereshould be no fact finders or mention of products and services (orvery little as you don't want to make the conversation weird). Theonly thing you should be there to sell is you. And yourawesomeness.

Have a specific objective

What's on your mind and how can a contact that you make be aresource? It could be a business objective or perhaps a personalone. I'm always looking for advice, insight and recommendations onmy marketplace, networking organizations, books, articles andnewsletters. I'm also happy to talk about personal interests likesports and any books that might be out there that I should knowabout. The more I can learn from the people I meet the better.

Have your elevator speech top of mind even at parties so youcan answer questions about what you do. (Photo: iStock)

Have your elevator speech handy

An elevator speech (it's really more like a positioningstatement) is something you should always have top of mind— even at a party. When someone asks about what you do, bespecific and clear.

If you can have a prepared (not rehearsed) statement about whatyou do, whom you help, what you know, and what you're after, youmight meet someone that can help you. If you're not prepared withsuch a statement, you may never know. Also, be careful NOT to sharehow you do what you do in vivid detail unless someone asks youspecifically. The last thing you want to do is monologue someoneinto nap time.

Be positive

Look to meet with those who aren't complaining about how badthings were this year. Try to keep things positive and upbeat. (Doyou see a recurring theme?) It's always a great thing to chat it upwith professionals that love what they do and want to meet othersthat love what they do.

I particularly enjoy meeting people who have big plans for theNew Year — starting a new business, expanding into a differentmarketplace, planning a big vacation, buying a new car, joining agym, running a marathon. When people are excited and passionateabout what they want to do, I get excited and passionate abouttalking to them. I also get more excited about the things I'mdoing.

Excitement is contagious — or at least it is when you'renot complaining. Meeting great people is always much moreproductive and fun than hanging out with whiners.

Offer help

Again, you won't hit it off with everyone at a networkingmeeting or party. But when you do it's always great to offer help.I know this was mentioned earlier but it bears repeating. Afterlearning about what someone does for work and what theirinitiatives are for the New Year, simply offer to be a resource.That's what networking is all about! By offering to be of help toothers they may return the favor. That's how it works!

Plan to follow up

Whenever you meet someone at an event, this is just the start ofwhat will hopefully be a long-lasting relationship. This is wherehandwritten “nice to meet you” cards, invitations to LinkedIn, andfuture meetings come in handy.

Related: 8 great ways to overcome your networkingfears

Certainly, send an email or make a phone call to learn moreabout their business (as in the other person) and see how you canhelp one another. If you made a promise to introduce someone tosomeone else, send an article, provide further information or makesure you live up to your word over the next 24 or 48 hours. Bereliable and true to your word. Remember, busy people get thingsdone!

Have fun

Ever meet someone at an event that simply doesn't want to bethere? Maybe they needed to go because their firm made itmandatory. Hey, it's a party! If you can't have fun at a party,where can you have fun? If nothing else, make it a point of havingfun. (Fake it if you must.) Others may look to talk to you and bepart of the fun. It's party time!

The big payoff from networking doesn't happen immediately. Atleast not usually. It does take time and work. Remember, it'snet-work! Hey, you might make a friend as you take on the New Year.Prepare your list, check it twice, and have a blast. Just watch theeggnog and avoid the venture capital guy!

Related: Bad business networking