I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Lunchtime Marketing Show hosted by Kevin Britz from Business by Design and Björn Salsone from TNC Marketing & PR. We spoke about all things networking! My favorite subject!

Networking with a houseful of kids can be a challenge. But, it's not impossible! Here are some tips I've found for building business relationships online.

Networking Tip: Ask easy questions. Don't hide in the corner of the room waiting for someone to approach you. Walk up to a person or group and say, "May I join you" or "What brings you to this event?"

Networking Tip: Don’t hijack the conversation. Listen to what others have to say. The most successful Networkers make others feel special.

Networking Tip: Smile! Smiling puts your nerves at ease. You will also come across as warm and engaging to others.

Networking Tip: Share your passion. Share your enthusiasm for your product or service. Engage with others and encourage them to share their passion too.

Networking Tips: Maximize your Networking Efforts: Often we take someone with us to an event as networking can be daunting. But don't sit next to them at the event as you are there to get to know new people.

Networking Tips: Tailor your Elevator Pitch. Tailor your Elevator Pitch to suit your audience. Pick one product or service that you would like to market

Networking Tips: Be consistent. Do not change your brand message all the time. Become well known for one specific thing that you do well.

Networking Tips: Tip 10. Be yourself and act with integrity. Integrity is an imperative in business.

Networking Tips: Add value through your presence. Share a tip, article or provide a referral to help their business. Be a useful resource for others.

Networking Tip: Preparation is Key!

Networking Tips: Tip 7 – Separate the Event from the Process. Networking is not keeping score of how many business cards you have collected. It takes time to build trust and credibility.

Networking Tips: Tip 6 - Don't arrive late. Come early so you can be calmer and connect with people. It is also easier to find others that have not formed conversation groups yet.

Networking Tips: Tip 5 - Do it often! Networking is not a once-off affair. Consistency is Key! #NetworkingTips

Networking Tips: Help Others! When you help others they are more likely to remember and recommend you.