[Ed. note: This blog was written and posted in early 2020, before the onset of the coronavirus.]
I'd like to think many of these tools are obvious, but novice networkers may not know this and others may think that social media or other technologies will suffice. Hopefully collecting these tools will help each of us be better at networking.
The Basics - for attending networking events
Business Cards
Calendar
30-second Connecting Statement
Name Tag
Notepaper and pen or pencil
Printed business cards are not merely some holdover from a bygone era, and they are more than just an easy way to pass your contact info on to others. They are an inexpensive but tangible reminder of an interaction. There have been many occasions where I have referred to a recent (or even an old) collection of cards to help me recall a person I'd met, where I'd met them, and what we talked about. And the world is not yet ready for everyone to move to a "digital" or "virtual" business card (perhaps some day).
Reminder: it is more important to collect cards from others than to give your own card away - if you get another person's contact info, you have the information you need to follow-up with them, and you control the interaction. If they just have your info, the responsibility is all theirs and you lose control.
A calendar where you can keep track of appointments will streamline your networking, and allow you to better manage your schedule. This can be digital if you prefer - the most important qualities are that the calendar be one you actually use, and that it be with you while you meet others. I prefer to keep mine on my phone, but any traditional calendar will suffice. If you have to answer a request for a 1-2-1 meeting with "I'll call you when I get back to my calendar" you are wasting some of the value in your networking.
Your connecting statement is a key part of the networking event. It's the information you wish to impart to those you meet. It's the way you make your networking relevant to the others in the room. And it is a main part of your networking first impression. Memorizing a short answer to the questions "who do you help?" and "how do you help them?" will guide you here, and this is a topic I've written about at length before (and will do again). Keep it brief, and keep it focused.
A name tag, love it or hate it, is a great ice breaker. It helps make everyone more comfortable, and prevents that "oh, I know her, but I cannot remember her name" fumbling that afflicts us and embarrasses us all. This can be the paper stick-on type you write with a sharpie or a bic, a magnetically attached one you've had custom made, or even a fancy conversation starter with LED lights. As the purpose is to help others be comfortable and make you more easily remembered, don't put too much info on the tag. Put what you want others to call you, and perhaps your profession or industry you are in.
Reminder: name tags should be worn high on your right shoulder. This way, when you shake someone's hand, your eyes naturally progress up their arm to their shoulder, then to the name tag, then to the person's face.
I mention notepaper rather than a phone, tablet, laptop, or other electronic writing device because of the impression it makes on others. If you look down at your phone, it looks like you are more interested in your phone that what others are saying. But if you write on a notepad, the appearance is that you are focused on recording something important about what was just said. Yes, there are advantages to digital recording devices, but the impression of attention matters here, and unless your memory is good enough, it can be quite challenging to remember the names, business names, and requests for referrals from the 10-50 people who attend these events.
Advanced technique for a small group of people you do not know well: in the margin at the top of the notepaper, write each person’s name in a space relative to where they sit. If you cannot read their name tag after they have been introduced, you can glance at the page, see the name you wrote, and properly address them.
Advanced Tools - for more productive 1 to 1 meetings
A Networking Referral Guide
List or descriptions of 10 ideal contacts or referrals
List of businesses, people, organizations, or resources you would like warm introductions to
I'm not going to go into details here for each of these, but the content of the four tools above will help you more quickly get to know, like, and trust each other. It will also help you better educate each other on who you want to be referred to, so your discussion can get to how you can each make those referrals.