So your networking preparation is done, you?ve worked out why you?re going to this meeting, who you want to speak to and what you?re going to say. You?re armed with your business cards and you even know where you?re going.

But what happens next? Do you stand outside the door, too nervous to go in? Who do you speak to? What if you don?t know anyone?

Here are some tips to help you get through the door and get going.

First time nerves ? when you enter an informal networking meeting for the first time, get yourself a drink or some food, but not both. You?ll need one hand free to shake hands or give out your business card if you?re asked for it.

Get a list of the attendees and study it before you talk to anyone. Remember the objectives you set yourself before the meeting, (click here for ideas on networking objectives) so look for the sort of people you want to talk to.

Look for a friendly face ? if you?re at a meeting on your own and you?re not sure about starting a conversation with a stranger, look for someone you know. Make sure you don?t cling to them all evening, but instead ask them to introduce you to other people.

When you?re confident enough to jump right in, start by scanning the room for a warm and friendly looking group that is not having an intense conversation. Two people standing close together, deep in conversation, will be difficult to join in with.

If you can?t find a group to join, look for someone else standing on their own. They are probably feeling just as nervous as you and will really thank you for rescuing them.

The formal approach ? more formally run meetings mean that you rarely have to walk into a room full of strangers and start a conversation. If you know that the meeting format will allow you to introduce yourself to everyone there, start by finding the organiser, to introduce yourself ? if you don?t already know them ? and let them know you have arrived. If they are doing their job properly, they will introduce you to a fellow networker before the formal part of the meeting starts.

Follow these tips when you go networking ? whether you?re new to it or not ? and you?ll enjoy the experience much more. Next week I?ll write about what to do after the meeting, to make sure you get the most from your networking time.