The purpose of networking is to make connections with people who can help your career, business and life. Networking can be intimidating, but if you put in the effort upfront by doing some research and planning ahead of time, it doesn’t have to be hard or awkward! In this article we’ll explain how to work a room like a pro.

Do your research.

• Do your research.
• Research the event and the people you will be meeting. This can be as simple as Googling the event’s website and looking at past events on their website, or contacting someone who has been to this type of networking event before (if possible). This will give you an idea of what kind of crowd to expect and what kinds of conversations might take place at such an event. It also helps with knowing who else will be there so that when they walk up to say hello, you know what they do for work!
• Figure out your goals and objectives for attending this particular networking opportunity: Are you looking for new clients? Looking for job opportunities? Or maybe just trying to expand connections within your industry? Whatever it may be, make sure these goals are clear in mind before entering any room full of people!

Create a plan.

You’ve heard it before, but planning is key to success. The more organized you are, the more efficient and effective your networking experience will be.

Planning allows you to focus on what’s important and prioritize accordingly. It also helps prevent mistakes by ensuring that all bases are covered in advance of any event or conversation.

You should plan out how long each conversation will last and make sure that it stays on track; this will help ensure that no one feels rushed or pressured into talking …