New book offers techniques for successful networking The Queen of Networking" gives advice to those who want to improve their life, luck, and career

The "Queen of Networking" offers 10 strategies to jump start your networking effectiveness

Dulles, VA: For many people, just the thought of networking makes them uncomfortable. When someone says Take a few minutes to network" during a conference or meeting, most would rather camp out at the drink table or hide in the restroom. Andrea Nierenberg, author of the new book NONSTOP NETWORKING: Improve Your Life Luck, and Career (Capital Books, November 1, 2002, $19.95), has seen this happen many times.
Dubbed the Queen of Networking," Andrea says that there are a number of reasons people fear networking. Perhaps no one has encouraged them to network before. Many feel they needed permission" to walk up to someone who headed another department, introduce themselves, and begin a conversation. Or maybe the problem is they did not know how to network. This creates doubts such as, How do I begin?" What if I look like a fool before senior management? What are they thinking of me?"
According to Andrea, the following are some of the most common fears or questions that people face when networking:
 How do I approach another person and introduce myself?
 How do I keep the conversation going?
 What if Im the only new person and everyone else knows each other? Will they think Im intruding?
 How do I break away from someone so I can keep on mingling?
When you are not familiar with the simple techniques of effective networking, you tend to stick within your 'comfort zone at events. It is comfortable to hang out with our friends or to stand in the corner and wait for lunch to begin." But, she points out, this is not taking advantage of the opportunities at hand-and you could be missing out on valuable business contacts, friendships, and more. Unless you are making new contacts your network is not growing," she says.
Andrea has twelve suggestions for becoming an effective networker, and combating fear:
Have an opening line. Think about what you will say in advance when meeting someone new," she says. Something as simple as 'Im new here-what can you tell me about this group? or 'Have you heard this speaker before? are effective and natural." The trick, she says, is to ask open ended questions and get the other person talking.
Develop a 30-second infomercial about yourself. Be prepared to introduce yourself and to answer the question, What do you do?" in thirty seconds or less -- in a clear, concise, enthusiastic, and memorable way. Think of this as your 30-second infomercial. Remember first impressions count, and you have a limited time to make good impression."
Do your research. Before you attend a meeting or event, research the company or organization putting it on. Research the speaker, the topic, and the issues relevant to the meeting. Read either print or electronic versions of industry, association, and trade magazines and newsletters. If you spend some time doing research you can also easily develop 'opening lines based on your new knowledge," Andrea says.
Have a list of get to know you" questions. Get to know you" questions are different from your opening lines in that they focus on the person you are speaking with, not the event or organization. Ask about their job, schooling, hobbies, family, travel, etc.
Develop a list of idea generator topics (small talk.) . Become conversant about current affairs, best selling books, movies, business news, the stock market, and certainly the latest news and trends in your own industry. Develop opening lines around some of these topics.
Get in line. Head for the bar, refreshment table, and registration desk-wherever there is a line. When you are standing in a line, there is a natural opportunity to start a conversation with the person in front or back of you."
Take a deep breath and dive into a group. Look for a group that looks friendly, wait for an opening, and say, I dont mean to interrupt, however you seem like a friendly group. Im new here, would you mind if I joined you?" Who could say no to this? Often when I use this approach, people smile and say to me, 'You have courage. I admire the fact you can do this. Its nice to meet you," Andrea says.
Look for a designated greeter or host. It is part of a hosts job to introduce you to others, especially when you are a new member or a visitor thinking of joining their group. Ask for their help.
Introduce yourself to the speaker. Tell him/her how much you are looking forward to their talk and mention something specific about their topic or about them. Of course, you will have done your research ahead of time and will know these tidbits. Remember to check out their website for information, their bio, or their book. After the presentation follow up by sending a note saying how much you enjoyed the talk and mentioning a helpful piece of information you took away. Remind them in the note that you spoke with them beforehand. They will remember you," says Andrea. If you sense that a speaker is nervous or mentally rehearsing their talk, just tell them you are looking forward to hearing their presentation and move on.
Start a conversation with your dinner partner. At a seated meal, the person on your right, or your left is the logical person to engage. Use your opening lines" and your idea generators" and start the conversation rolling. Otherwise, you will be paying too much good attention to a bad meal. After all, at these meals it is not about the food, it is about connecting and learning from others.
Have an exit strategy. Learn some lines to exit a conversation gracefully, and move on to talk with someone else. For example, It was great meeting you and hopefully we can continue our conversation sometime over lunch or coffee," or Youve been so interesting to talk with. Ill let you have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some other folks."
Set a goal for every event you attend. set a goal to make a certain number of quality connections at every meeting, gathering, or event you attend, and then make yourself go through the process. Also, be sure to follow-up.
Even if the word networking does make you cringe, you know you need to develop this skill to be successful," Andrea says. The old saying, 'Its not what you know, but who you know is true more than ever in todays competitive world. It is most often the 'who you know" that leads you to the next job, new client, funding for your business, successful project in your company, or whatever you may be looking for in life, professionally or personally."
   Friends and associates alike praise Andrea Nierenberg as the Queen of Networking." And for good reason. The independent personal marketing consultant and founder of The Nierenberg Group, actively maintains an ever-growing, worldwide network of 2,500 friends, clients, and associates keeping in touch with each at least once a year by note, phone, e-mail, or one-on-one meeting. Her understanding and mastery of personal marketing and networking techniques has made her one of the most sought-after experts in the field. Ms. Neirenberg works with leading businesses, such as AOL Time Warner, Citigroup, Coach, Estée Lauder, Georgia Pacific, Omnicom Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zenith Media. Along with workshops and seminars for her business clients, she teaches Self-Marketing: A to Z" a course she developed at New York University. She is a featured speaker at global conferences and conventions and her expert networking advice has appeared in national and international media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune Online.

For more information or a review copy, contact Kristen Gustafson at 207-990-0710 or kristen@booksintl.com.

NONSTOP NETWORKING: How to Improve Your Life, Luck & Career
Andrea Nierenberg
November 1, 2002 ISBN 1-892123-92-4 $19.95