If you’re feeling this way, I’m going to venture to guess you’re attending a business networking event (or speaking at one). It’s also likely that you don’t know a single person in the room and you are standing in the corner hoping and praying that someone will take pity on you and strike up a conversation.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Attending a professional networking event with a little strategy can go a long way.

You can learn to network with confidence without morphing into one of those people that immediately pitch their business and shove their business card in your face. “Ick!”

Here are a few tips and icebreakers to ease your nerves before your next professional networking event:

1. Get interested.

Ask, “What brought you here today?”

This is a great question to ask to break the ice and learn a about fellow attendees and their event goals. This also gives your new contact an opportunity to do a little “business bragging” of their own, while you listen intently.

2. Be authentic.

Go “au naturale,” so to speak.

Stumped for something to say? Most likely you’re not the only one. Walk up to someone and introduce yourself. Then tell people it’s your first time attending the event (if that’s the case) and you don’t know anyone. People connect with authenticity.

It is often your most effective form of marketing. And, it is free.

While networking may not take anything out of your business’s bank account, you do need to put a little time and effort into it. And contrary to popular belief, networking is not trying to close a deal or get something from someone. It is not begging for help from someone. It is not even about convincing someone to help you out.

In business, networking is meeting and interacting with individuals who have similar interests in an effort to build relationships that will produce current and future benefits.

Networking is about relationships. It is about being friendly. It is about finding others who will enhance your life and career.

So, how do you do it? What are the best ways to use networking to build your business? Networking is actually quite easy. Follow these 5 simple tips to successfully build a strong professional network.

1. Learn Their Needs First

Networking isn’t about being pushy and begging for handouts.

It is a ‘you scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours’ mentality. When you begin a networking relationship, learn how you can help them first. Networking relationships don’t form when you meet someone new and start asking for favors. Find out what you can do for them, and hope you get the same in return.

2. Network In and Out of Your Industry

Making connections and relationships within your industry is a great place to start. Find people you can help who just might help you in return. But, don’t stop there.

Branch out from your usual circle. Just because someone is not in your industry does not mean they are not a valuable part of your network. Word of mouth and referrals are a big part of networking, and you never know who is going to be talking about you.

“Aren’t you a sweet!” or

“Who’s a smart puppy?”

You get the picture. It’s as if most of us are entranced by an adorable puppy or dog. An automatic reaction kicks in – we smile, giggle, and lose ourselves for a brief moment and “network” with people we don’t even know.

What is it that drives people to such behavior you may ask? It’s simple. There are characteristics about dogs (pets) that make them utterly loveable. The same could be said for businesses.

There are specific things that consumers love about their favorite brands that keep them coming back for more. And if you pay close attention, there are a few things entrepreneurs can learn from man’s best friend when it comes to business – here are four of them.

1. Break the ice, get happy and network.

Isn’t it funny how dogs don’t speak our language but they’re experts at starting conversations. When I take my dog for a walk, or to the park, or to the store he’s an immediate conversation sparker. Studies have even found, that “dog owners have more conversations in which, surprise surprise, they often talked about their dogs.”

The business lesson here is simple. Become the person (in business) that you want to meet. Don’t be afraid to say hello, to be friendly and make a connection. Not only is it good for you, but your business will thank you for it.

“Happiness at work is closely correlated with greater performance and productivity as well as greater energy … higher income, better health and increased happiness with life,” according to Jessica Pryce-Jones, author of “Happiness at Work” and CEO of iOpener. People, customers, suppliers and others you interact with want to be around happy people.