Around 20 students and alumni with start-up ideas met up with potential partners on the Nice campus on Thursday September 27 to exchange ideas and to find out more about social networks.

Afterwards, there was our now traditional networking game, where the teams presented each other with riddles which they then solved with their respective teammates. The Epicureans, the Eccentric Entrepreneurs and the Fantastic 5 gave feedback on the outcome of their discussions, together with some networking tricks of the trade. Isabelle Graniou Marniquet, who is in charge of external relations at EDHEC for the region, presented us with an overview of the local area networks.

What the participants appreciated during the evening:

To learn that there are modular spas!

The friendly, entertaining atmosphere that promoted meetings. The shared smiles. The melting pot of participants: students, professionals, entrepreneurs and those with a potential business venture.

Networking and expert tips.

The mix of information, fun, leisure and the pleasure of interactive learning. And we’ll certainly keep in mind that 86% of an entrepreneur's business is generated by word of mouth.

Deborah recommends the book: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

Damien Le Ret suggested that the entrepreneurs present take part in an entrepreneurs' competition, with a first prize of €10,000 up for grabs.

Concerning social networking, below are a few of the participants' tips.

The key factors to success:

1) Be friendly, smile, appreciate people!

2) Be clear about what you sell and to whom: identify your targets and your market.

3) Regularly send out news in various ways: publish a blog, give conferences, write articles, send 'cards' (happy new year, spring clearance, back to school/work…), update your profile and contact details.

4) Even if social networks are important for national and international visibility, meeting people face to face is also crucial as it helps to establish strong relationships. Do not miss opportunities to meet people.

5) Ask your close friends and family and those around you to pass on the word and recommend you (you’ll sometimes be the 3rd or 4th person in a chain). Keep in mind that each person is at the head of a network.

6) Also use institutional networks

7) Be consistent and coherent on social networks. Pay attention to your e-reputation; coherence is essential.

8) Be sincere because your aim is long-lasting relationships. Develop long-term relationships based on trust.

9) Go to parties! Enjoy having fun, the cocktails and the finger food! Enjoy getting out and about! The more you take part in things, the more active you are in networks, the more visible you are, and the more you’ll create windows of opportunity.

10) Be curious and listen to others! Use your general knowledge to listen to and understand others’ points of view: what makes them tick? What interest them?

11) Think about the follow-up! Thank people, give feedback. For example, send photos of an event to the participants

12) Have a few icebreakers to hand (corny jokes). Prepare your icebreakers.

13) Carpe Diem: seize all opportunities

14) Networks help you to broaden your vision, to grow and to make new friends

Mistakes to avoid

1) Don't try to do too many things: choose two or three networks and concentrate on them. It’s only after 4, 5 or 6 meetings that you start to build a good relationship.

2) Don't get involved in tit for tat

3) Don't be too impatient.