Networking can be a challenge for commercial real estate appraisers, myself included. We tend to like "doing the work", but not necessarily "getting the work".  However, with a slight tweak in attitude, networking can be fairly effortless and almost "fun".

Here's some networking tips you might consider:

• NSA - be a good listener.  Fight your desire to be a yappy small-breed dog.  Talk less.  Ask lots of questions and don't jump to the bottom line of business, mix in topics of their personal interest.  Be genuine.
• Flounder Eye - Refrain from constantly looking around for someone "better".  You're not speed dating.  Give 100% of your focus to the conversation.  Stop frenetically glancing at your phone like a meth addict; it's the same as shouting, "YOU'RE SO BORING, YOU'RE SO BORING, YOU'RE SO BORING."  Newbie mistake.
• GQ - don't dress like a FEMA flood victim.  Your physical presence is very important so cover all the basics such as showering, shaving and being well dressed.  No comb-overs.  People notice a professional presence.
• Take No Prisoners - it's discouraged to act like a Guantanamo prison guard and sequester all of someone else's time.  Move around the room and target key prospects or influencers but have patience.  
• Dead Fish - give positive energy to your networking.  It's not recommended to present yourself with low energy giving off "flu-like symptoms" presence in your vocal tone, body posture and handshakes.  Folks tend to run from apocalyptic zombies.
• 3 Foot Rule - if somebody comes within three feet of you, extend your hand and introduce yourself.  This is a very good technique to spark conversations and it's easy.
• Zen Master - be comfortable in your uncomfortableness.  Others are often just as potentially awkward or uncomfortable as you are.  Remain calm and relaxed.
• No Twerking - keep your conversations clean and professional, avoid racy conversations that you may regret later.  Discussing Muslims, capital punishment or your uncle's colonoscopy are frowned upon.  Be cognizant of others' boundaries.  Be sentient.  
• Obama - have elegant social skills with knowledge of current events, ideally sports, social and real estate trends.  Play well with others.
• Hangover II - Limit your imbibing.  Dampen your urge for Tito vodka shots, it won't really enhance your networking skills.
• Switzerland - be neutral, don't have an agenda.  Be organic with the flow of information, you may be surprised where it takes you.  Don't discount the value of conversation.  Your universe will expand if you take your hands off the conversation steering wheel.  It's not about you.

Face-to-face communications always trumps electronic communications. Relationships matter. An established rapport can potentially be leveraged later. Emails are a great form of basic communication but only as a follow-up, scheduling and sharing of information. If meeting your prospects and clients is not practical, a phone call is 1,000 times better than email.

Information begets information. Taking to heart some of the networking tips above will relax you, spurring professional opportunities and sometimes insightful personal topics. Your body of knowledge as a professional networker will improve. I promise.

As Barbra Streisand said, "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world".  If you're not lucky enough to be one of those people, fake it until you make it.

~Jeff Hicks