It’s easy to find networking events, but a lot harder to network  well. Whether you are looking for a new job, new clients, or just expanding your network, you want to make sure you are going to the right events, meeting the right people, and making a great impression. At one of Lawline’s recent Bridge the Gap events, legal PR professional Janet Falk and healthcare attorney Stephanie Rodin presented one of the most practical ethics programs we have ever seen, packed with the following networking tips and tricks to help attorneys maximize their potential when working a room:

1. Strategize. When choosing which events to attend, think about what kind of person is likely to attend as well. Join an industry or professional membership group and attend those events regularly. If it’s not working out for you after a year, try a new group.
2. Make Friends. Don’t expect to meet clients at every event, but make connections. The people you meet may have potential clients or referral sources among their contacts. When you meet someone new, ask about their ideal client and good referral sources.
3. Help Out. Before a networking event, identify the officers and committee chairs. Contact them in advance to build a welcoming committee.
4. Stand Out. Wear a distinctive article of clothing, so others can find you in the room – a colored jacket or unusual colored tie or a pocket square are great choices. Wear your name tag on the right side, which is more prominent when shaking hands.
5. Share Ideas. Post what you learned on Linkedin after the event – and make sure you tag the speaker and the organizers of the event.
6. Stay On Point. When networking, make sure your elevator pitch provides your name, your services, an example of how you work with your client, and the type of resources or clients you want to meet.
7. Take Notes.  When receiving business cards, make notes on the back of the card with discussion points to use in your follow up email.
8. Snap It. Use your cellphone to take a photo with a new contact, post it on LinkedIn and send it to the other person.

Networking may never be painless, but if you choose your events wisely, prepare in advance, and remember these key tips, you should be able to breathe a little more easily. To learn more about attorney networking and promotion, check out the CLE program Ethically Improve Your Networking Skills.