Hosted by the social networking guru, author of “Linking In To Pay It Forward”, and Communications Director at iContact, Chuck Hester offers the event free of change and leverages relationships with local businesses and partners to secure sponsorship.  Attendance to this event is made up of equal parts employed, unemployed, and recruiting professionals. 

To make the most of this event, it pays to be prepared. Here are a few rules to help anyone attending LinkedIn Live get the most out of the event. 

Do’s

• Have a clear objective- If you are looking for a new position or just expanding you professional network, you need to set clear objectives for yourself.  Both you and the person you are meeting will get more out of the short encounter.
• Elevator pitch- In 90-seconds or less, you should be able to deliver a highly focused message that is customized to the listener for maximum impact to create a lasting impression they will not forget.
• List target companies- If you are looking for employment, having a list of at least three target companies can pay big short term dividends. In a room of 300+ folks, I can typically find someone that works at one of the target companies.  
• Business card are a must- If you want to share contact information, nothing does a better job than business cards. Whether you print your own or use Vistaprint, they are worth the investment.  
• Buddy up- Find a wingman with similar objectives, two of you can cover the room faster than one. This is especially beneficial for those who find networking a bit intimidating.   

Don’ts

• Don’t waste time- In a crowded room, time is of the essence.  If you find yourself stuck in an endless conversation, have a closing statement ready.  If your exit strategy fails, just remind the people you're conversing with that there are other networking opportunities in the room and you can follow up at a later time (one-on-one networking meeting).
• Don’t circulate resumes- They are boring, there is no place to store them, and no one is going to take the time to read one at the event. Ask for a business card and follow up with an email.   
• Don’t mishandle someone’s card- Take a moment to tie the content on the card to the person standing in front of you. In some Asian cultures, writing on or defacing a card can create be perceived as an insult. 
• Don’t talk too much- one of the best ways to destroy a chance at a good first impression is by dominating the conversation. Take the time to listen as much as you talk. 

Remember, LinkedIn Live is a fast paced environment and time should be spent wisely. Most networkers focus on the introduction, an elevator pitch, and exchange contact information in about 10 minutes or less. And don’t forget to dress to impress. This is a professional environment and your appearance is a part of the impression you leave. Good luck and happy networking.      

I want to hear from you! So please, stop and provide a little feedback in the Comments section below.