When it comes to networking events, many people think that wearing a suit is the way to go. After all, most events are business focused, right? But if everyone else is wearing a suit, how can you stand out and be remembered?

I was speaking to someone the other day who said she'd met me ages ago at a BritCham Sundowner. How did she remember me? She mentioned I was wearing a shirt with a floral pattern and it really stuck in her mind. I think last time I wore this short I was referred to (in a good way) as a "hippie networker."

So, what does this mean? If you want to be remembered, the key is to stand out:

Howdy fellow networkers. Here's a quick roundup of some of the tips we've run on Shanghai Networking News over the past couple of years. Hope they help, and let us know your thoughts in the comments...

Finding someone's name when you've forgotten (or never knew) it

We've all been in that situation -- you meet someone you've met a million times before and for the life of you you can't remember their name. Or maybe you never even knew it to begin with! What to do?

My usual tactic is to ask for their phone number - when you're inputting it into your phone casually ask how they spell their name. Most people will be happy to oblige, and if they kick up a fuss you can always claim you know lots of people with weird spellings of that particular name.

N.B. This might even work for a name like Bob, if you can convince Bob that there are many Bobbs, Bobbbs and Bobbbs out there. Well, perhaps not...

Alternatively just ask for another copy of their business card.

Building rapport with body language

You ever notice that when you're getting on well with someone your body language starts to synchronise? Your legs are crossed, my legs are crossed. Your elbow is resting on the table, my elbow is resting on the table, and so on. This can also work in reverse - start subtly shifting your body language to match the other person and things can flow more easily.

N.B. Be subtle and only work on a few things, like the arm or leg position. Shifting too quickly to match their exact posture can look a bit odd to say the least.

Remembering to follow up

One of my big problems is remembering to follow up after meeting someone. You've got their card tucked away into your wallet, and by the time you get round to getting in touch you forget why you wanted to follow up in the first place.

To remedy this, I make a small fold on someone's card if I want to follow up, with different folds meaning different things. For example:

• Fold top-right corner: Someone is interested in buying advertising on my site
• Fold in the middle: Someone is interested in networking training
• Fold top-left corner: Someone is pretty cute and I should ask them out later

Well, perhaps not that last one...

N.B. Simple is good. Advanced origami tends to stunt conversation.

Questions in a conversation?

If you're getting lost for words in a conversation, try repeating the keyword with a rising inflection. It usually makes the other person go into more depth and keeps a conversation ticking along. For example:

Alex: I had a great holiday thanks, I visited New Zealand to see my family
Bob: New Zealand? Alex: Yeah, I was staying in Auckland for a few days and then travelled down to Wellington...

N.B. Use this one sparingly. Too much of this and you can start to look like a parrot

Smelling of roses

Well, not roses per se, but something nicer than the garlic/curry/stinky tofu/onion concoction you may have had for lunch (or perhaps that's just me)

Watsons, the drugstore chain, sell breath spray quite cheaply. Previously I'd only seen it used in movies where the no-hoper guy was trying to win the girl and breath-spray was just one of his methods. It really does work though. Unlike breathmints it won't rattle around in your pocket, and unlike chewing gum you don't have to throw it away.

N.B. Just a couple of sprays should do it. I claim no responsibility for pouring in bottles and bottles of the stuff

What are your best networking tips? Leave a note in the comments and I'll put them in our next roundup, along with your photo, bio and a link to a website of your choosing.

Very useful post from Guy Kawasaki about using the online networking service LinkedIn to find a job.

Even if you're not in the market for a new job, in this economic situation things can turn to custard very quickly - so keep your options open.

Searching for a job can suck if you constrain yourself to the typical tools such as online jobs boards, trade publications, CraigsList, and networking with only your close friends. In these kinds of times, you need to use all the weapons that you can, and one that many people don’t—or at least don’t use to the fullest extent, is LinkedIn.

Read more

What's your take on the job market? Are you on the lookout for plan B's? Let us know by leaving a comment!

A couple of useful links I just found. Neither work properly in China, so I've proxied them for you here:

• Unemployed? Tips to Use Twitter for Your Job Search
• If you are laid off, here’s how to socially network

Both of these are geared towards the tech crowd, but have valuable advice for non-technies too.

Incidentally, if you're on Twitter, follow me (the founder of Shanghai Networking News) at @alexcg. If you're not on Twitter yet, sign up now and start using it!

Eye contact can be a bit of a nerve-wracking thing for some people -- looking into another person's eyes isn't always that easy. If you're in this boat, just look at their nose instead. Most people can't tell and it saves you from feeling uncomfortable!

If you're anything like me, over the past few weeks you've had your email inbox jammed with invites to online services like Naymz and Affluence.org. It seems that every few months another wave of social networks comes along, fills up your inbox and then shrivels away within a few short weeks. How can you sort the wheat from the chaff and find the most useful online networks?

The first place to check is TweetScan, which scans what twitterers are saying. Many twitterers are early adopters of these networks and may mention if it's worth joining.

Secondly, try googling the name of the site and looking down the results. Often you can find out what people are thinking from various blog postings about the service.

Be very careful about which online services you join, how much information you share and who you invite. Several, including the popular Hi5, have a reputation for spamming all the contacts in your address book with invites. As a rule of thumb, use the site for a few months to judge whether it's worth it before inviting everyone in your address book.

In my own case I stick firmly with LinkedIn and Facebook. There are many pretenders out there, some with much better features, but it's the quality of the network that counts in the end. Right now, only the big hitters can attract all the people in my networking circle, and Affluence.org and Naymz just don't cut the mustard.

I am constantly being asked by clients and friends about professional networking events in Shanghai - and Shanghai Networking News is my first recommendation. It's easy enough to find out what DJ is playing or what new bar is opening in Shanghai-- but learning about vital business information like networking opportunities is much tougher. Alex and his team have stepped up with a first-rate publication that never fails. Their listings are comprehensive, thorough and organized. Good work Shanghai Networking News!

Andrew Hupert
Editor, ChinaSolved & Due Diligence China
Lecturer in international negotiation, New York University Shanghai campus

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Shanghai Networking News helps me find events of any type, depending on my needs at that very moment. Also, It often helps me find useful tips on how I can network better, for example how to steer a conversation

Carlo Wolff
Owner, Kai Ba

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Shanghai Networking News presents all the advice, expertise and events that Shanghai newbies need on one site. They're the experts and are here to answer all your deepest, darkest networking questions

City Weekend

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Shanghai Networking News is a great idea. I used to spend a lot of time trying to look up networking events and then trying to find the websites. Thanks Shanghai Networking News for making it easier!

Toffler Niemuth
Manager, Marketing and PR at italki.com
Owner, Shop My Shanghai

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It helps me so much to have access to all of Shanghai's networking events in one place. If not for Shanghai Networking News I'd have to wade through dozens of magazines and websites to find out what's on. I've told lots of my friends about it!

Celine Ong
Director of Account Service, TouchMedia

With the world economy collapsing around our ears, networking is more important than ever.

While Shanghai has been relatively unaffected so far, we have seen expats and locals alike suffering with the diminishing opportunities for sales, jobs, you name it.

So, what can you do about all this and how can you minimise the effects of the crisis on your life?

1.  Network, network, network

Of course, you should have been doing that all along. As Harvey Mackay said in the title of his book, Dig your well before you're thirsty. Still, it's never too late to get out there and expand your network more. More and more people will be out on the networking circuit as they search for jobs or look for ways to streamline their business. Even if they're not personally useful to you, they may know someone who is.

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty

 

2. Consider which events are worthwhile

Going to networking events is all well and good, but which ones are you actually meeting the right people at? Consider the time, effort and money you're putting into each event and see if you're making the most of them.

Right now Shanghai Networking News is on the lookout for testimonials -- we'd like to know how we've helped you with your networking -- whether it's providing valuable advice, letting you know about that great little event or sending business your way.

All testimonials will (optionally) be featured on our site with a short profile of you and your picture, giving you and your company exposure to thousands of networkers around Shanghai.

Just email your testimonial, profile and picture to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we can get cracking!

Happy networking!

We've just started our own Facebook group -- swing by and join up now! Feel free to write on the wall to let us know who you are and what you do, and start discussions about which networking events you like, networking tips or how frustrated you feel about people giving out cards like a blackjack dealer.

Shanghai Networking News Facebook group