What if you enjoy networking so much or you are so excited by your product that you find yourself gushing with enthusiasm when you talk to people? You know that you want to be a good listener and not overwhelm people with words and stories, but you just have a hard time containing yourself. Here are is a three part plan for making your enthusiasm work for you.

1) Start by Cherishing This Quality in Yourself

The worst thing to do is berate yourself for your enthusiasm and try to kill it. If you’re like me, sometimes you get carried away at an event and then you feel foolish or embarrassed thinking about it later. You can be a bit rueful and decide to harness it better next time, but never try to get rid of or squash your enthusiasm. It is a positive and charming trait. Most people will find your vivacity to be enjoyable and energizing for them. While a few may chuckle over what they see as naivety, no one wants to be around someone who is lethargic and apathetic.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

2) Channel and Focus Your Enthusiasm

Rather than letting your enthusiasm come out of your mouth in the form of an uninterrupted stream of words, think of letting it come out everywhere else. Allow your smile to be bigger, allow your eyes to sparkle, laugh a little louder and have your hands and body show your energy. Encourage the person who is talking by being enthusiastic about what *they* are saying. They will remember the way you made them feel – more alive and enjoying life.

Practice being a better listener, making sure that you don’t monopolize the conversation. Remember that you can only help someone if you hear them tell you what they need in the first place. Consider finding an outlet in by speaking to groups of people…you won’t be interrupted for one thing. Plus, everyone enjoys an enthusiastic speaker.

3) When It Does Get Away From You…

Occasionally, you will realize that you’ve been spouting and monopolizing the conversation. Do not get flustered. As soon as you realize what’s happening, stop yourself – in the middle of a word if necessary. You can look a bit embarrassed, but don’t get upset or feel humiliated. Acknowledge, apologize and redirect the conversation.

“I’m sorry for talking your ear off. I get so excited about this new product (or my new business or the success that I’ve had with this company) that I get carried away. Please, I really want to hear about you. What are you enthusiastic about?”

With this kind of self-awareness, apology and question, the other person will not only forgive you, but they will find you to be authentic, friendly, and charming.

Conclusion

Never be ashamed of your enthusiasm. It is a force that will propel you to great success. Channeled properly, it will make you more likeable and it will help you become a great networker. Be aware of how you’re using it and don’t let it run away with you. Have a plan for when you do let go and use it as an opportunity to build a relationship. Stay enthusiastic and keep networking.

Looking for more networking tips, tricks, strategies & advice? Visit Meeting Wave’s Networking Motivator Blog.

About the Author: Beth Bridges is The Networking Motivator ™ and creator of the 5 Part Networking Success Plan ™, a simple networking system that can help anyone from business owners to sales agents to college students develop a powerful network. Subscribe to the weekly Networking Motivator Newsletter at http://www.thenetworkingmotivator.com/ for a quick boost of networking inspiration, information and motivation.”

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

If you are new to networking, one of the most difficult things to do is introduce yourself to complete strangers. We grew up being told “don’t talk to strangers.” Most of us don’t fear strangers, especially at a business networking event, yet we may feel awkward approaching someone we’ve never met. Here are several ways to help you approach people you don’t know at networking events.

First, remember that meeting new people is the purpose of most networking events. This is not like talking to strangers at the grocery store. People should expect to meet new people when they attend business-oriented networking activities. Many of them may be very shy and are hoping that someone else will make the initial approach. Not only is it appropriate to you’ll approach strangers, but it is probably appreciated by many of the people who are there.

With this in mind (that meeting new people is the purpose), you can create a scenario of success in your head. Do not imagine that people are going to reject you; that will make you anxious and nervous. Remind yourself that your introduction is welcome.

Prepare in advance by calling the host or hostess to ask if they will introduce you to a few people when you arrive. They should be willing to get you started with someone who knows other people there and would be willing to introduce you to more.

Watch your own body language to make sure you are approachable. Don’t cross your arms, and when talking to just one other person, stand at an angle to them. This creates a more open look to your conversation and encourages other people to approach you.

Look for other people who are standing by themselves. If you make eye contact, smile and walk over to introduce yourself. If they are there alone, you can also use the buddy system to meet more people.

The purpose of business networking events is for you to meet and make contact with people, many of whom you’ve never met. Still, it’s natural to feel some insecurity or nervousness. And, most importantly, they are there to do the same thing. To them, you are the stranger. They may feel just as nervous about meeting you. By taking the initiative, you’ve made them more comfortable and yourself more likable. Remember these tips and you’ll feel more confident and will meet more people to grow your network.

Looking for more networking tips, tricks, strategies & advice? Visit Meeting Wave’s Networking Motivator Blog.

About the Author: Beth Bridges is The Networking Motivator ™ and creator of the 5 Part Networking Success Plan ™, a simple networking system that can help anyone from business owners to sales agents to college students develop a powerful network. Subscribe to the weekly Networking Motivator Newsletter at http://www.thenetworkingmotivator.com/ for a quick boost of networking inspiration, information and motivation.”

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).