Use email as a follow up.

Tip of the Week: email as a follow-up to meeting people. Use the opportunity to provide more information about BNI and invite them to a meeting. Here is an example email:

I enjoyed meeting you last week at (fill in the blank). Here's the information on BNI, Business Network Int'l, the professional networking group we discussed. Our chapter meets at (fill in location, day & time). Bring 50+ business cards and come early so we have time to introduce you to my fellow members. You will have the opportunity during the meeting to give a 60 second commercial that explains who you are and what you do.

Get there early

Always try to get to networking events early, arriving at the last minute may look cool - but you don't get a chance to 'work the meeting'.

You need time to work out who is there (take a look at the delegate list if there is one), look for any obvious match ups. At least give yourself a chance to meet as many people as possible and exchange cards.

Remember the best networkers will be there early also, so thats when you need to be there.