Just about any event - whether a holiday cocktail party or industry conference - can be a major networking opportunity. Many partnerships and multimillion-dollar deals have started as impromptu and informal five-minute conversations. Here are four tips to help turn your small talk into something more:

• When describing yourself and your business, focus on details that could benefit the other person.

• Don’t talk their ear off. Give and take is essential to good conversation.

• Maintain eye contact. And try to smile only when it’s appropriate. (No non-stop grinning.)

• Don’t talk too fast, too quietly, or in a monotone. Remember you are communicating.

(Source: Entrepreneur.com)

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