In boxing, you could try to improve your left jab by watchingvideos of Larry Holmes. But you get so much more out of trying toapply what you've learned by going to the gym and throwing thatleft at the heavy bag under the watchful eye of a trainer. You'llmaster that punch through repetition, feedback and morerepetition.

That's how you develop and improve any skill – repetition,feedback and more repetition.

Networking is about learning and helping others connect. Ifyou're successful, those you help will help you right back – that'snetworking!

Outside of throwing more shoulder into your jab, here are ninebasic approaches to help you improve your networking skills. Thatis, if you're willing to work the bag.

Find the rightevent

First and foremost, you don't need to go to events (cocktailparties, chamber mixers, fundraisers, association meetings,business card exchanges, golf outings, conferences or trade shows)to be an effective networker. Be authentic. Find an event thataligns with a cause or activity you have genuine interest in andresonates with you.

Dare tobe different

Financial advisors are a dime a dozen! Not really, but that'sthe perception of others that attend networking events. Think aboutit. How many financial advisors show up to monthly chamber mixers?Exactly! So find a way of differentiating yourself. Become knownfor one area of expertise that you're passionate about. Getinvolved as a board member. Head-up a committee. Run seminars. Makeit your business to introduce those you like to others you like –be a connector! Be the first to sign up for events and fundraisers.The best ways of differentiating yourself are to be great at whatyou do, passionate, reliable, genuinely interested in helpingothers and to get involved.

Introduceyourself

In amateur boxing, you get points for being the first to throwpunches. “Firing first” sets the tone, develops momentum, andbuilds your confidence. So, fire first! Be the first to offer anintroduction and show others that your intention is to meetpeople and help them. Once you get going, you may find othersclamoring to introduce themselves to you!

Ask greatquestions

Let's get back to introducing yourself for a moment. Often, thething that prevents people from introducing themselves is notknowing what to say next. It sounds basic, I know, but it's true.This is where asking great questions comes in!

So what kind of work do you do? How did you learn of this event?Do you know anyone here? If I were to meet someone at this eventthat you should meet, how would I know? Outside of work andattending events, what do you do for fun? What can I do to helpyou? (Only ask this last question if you really like them!)

These should be enough to get you started. If you're lucky,you'll be asked the same questions right back! “How aboutyourself?”

Talk about yourbusiness

Yes, this is elevator speech time. But keep what you haveto say about your work short, sweet and to the point. Stay focusedon what you do, notnecessarily how you do it. Also, focus on thewho, as in who you want to meet. Again, try to stayaway from the how; otherwise you'll get into details that may boreothers. If those you meet ask specific questions, certainly givespecific answers, but you want to be informative while keeping theconversation out of snooze-ville.

Make it fun

OK, you must have fun or at least try to have fun. One wayto make your conversations fun is to talk about fun things.Obvious, I know. As a boxer, I find myself approaching those atevents that seem active and fit. This way, I know I have a commonbond when discussing sports, fitness and my love for boxing. I'mjust as excited learning about how others stay active and keep inshape.

As you go to events, see if you can find people that have aninterest in the same activity, hobby or even television show(especially when there's a season or series finale!) as you. Ofcourse, you may need to find a hobby first.

Discuss nextsteps

Is there a reason to follow up and stay in touch? If so, discussit. “So how do you see us potentially learning more and helpingeach other?”

Take the initiative to exchange business cards and make apromise to follow up or follow through on that promise. Maybe youneed to schedule a follow up meeting.

Connect on LinkedIn. Whatever it is, you be the one tohandle it, never rely on the other person.

And do it in the next 24 hours or that business card will bestacked with the others on your desk.

Know when tobail

You won't have an easy time talking to everyone you meet.Sometimes you just don't click with someone you've met. No bigdeal; it happens to everybody. Ask some basic questions about theirprofession and interests and if you're not feeling the love in acouple of minutes, say your goodbyes and find someone else to talkto. Keep in mind, if you don't feel you click with them, they don'tfeel like they click with you either. So again, sayyour goodbyes and bail: “Very nice to meet you. Good lucktoday and I'll see you again soon!”

That's pretty much it! Easy, right? Now, here's the heavy bagpart.

Review yourperformance

You must reflect on the event after you get home or back to theoffice. How did it go? How could it have gone better? Did you“sell” rather than “network”? Did you speak to everyone you wantedto? Did you forget anyone's name? Did you say anything stupid? Didyou forget to collect someone's business card? Did you do a goodenough job explaining what you do and who you're looking to meet?Did you have fun?

Think about all the ways you'll do better the next time. Maybeeven write some notes as reminders, plan for your next event andregister for it now if possible – get it in your calendar.

And when you attend the next time, focus on the areas that youthink you want to improve. You may want to get better atintroducing yourself, remembering names, asking to exchangebusiness cards, asking questions, following up and so on.

Go through this exercise every time you attend an event andyou'll get more effective while building your confidence – not tomention your business. If you can, get feedback from others thatyou're getting to know at the event about how you're coming acrossand ways you might improve.

And you will.