Alternative Places to Network

"We're all brought up to believe back in the day to never talk to strangers," she says. "Yet talking to strangers is just about the best networking tip you could have."

Limit your networking activities to networking events and the only thing you'll accomplish is to limit your networking activities. Entrepreneurs don't want to be pushy with their networking attempts, but good things will happen to those who start conversations, listen to other business people and keep their wits about them--even when the oxygen is thin.

How to Do It

Charisma coach Cabane knows it's not always easy to strike up conversations with strangers. In her article, "Plane Speaking," she offers a useful step-by-step guide.

Select your flight neighbor. If you have a choice in seating, Cabane recommends boarding the flight late and scanning the passengers. Choose to sit next to someone who's dressed in a suit and reading a book, presumably a businessperson who's not buried in his or laptop or hovering over a report.

Greet your fellow passenger on first sight -- otherwise it makes the conversation "awkward if you haven't acknowledged each other's presence from the outset."

Start a conversation by either commenting on the airline service or complimenting something she's wearing, such as a piece of jewelry or a pin. "Ask the story behind it," Cabane says. "The word 'story' is important to use because it has certain associations with the human psyche."

Ask questions, and mirror her actions and facial expressions. Cabane says even synchronizing your voice -- copying the tone, volume and speed -- will help you build rapport with your flight neighbor. According to Cabane, people like people who are like them, and behaving similarly is the best way to achieve this.

Most importantly, Cabane writes in the "Art of Mastering Conversation," make that person feel like the most interesting person you've ever met. Not only is this easy to do since it takes the focus off yourself, but also it prolongs the conversation so you can build a quick and easy rapport. "Keep the spotlight on them for as long as possible," Cabane writes. "It's the one subject most people find the most fascinating of all."