Anna Mayer-Huls is a broker associate with @properties in Chicago.

Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Anna Mayer-Huls, a broker associate with @properties in Chicago, on her top tips for networking effectively with other professionals.

10. Smile! It’s much easier to approach someone you don’t know with a smile on your face.

9. Go to networking events solo. This will force you to meet new people.

8. Make eye contact.

7. Ask open ended questions and talk about things that everyone can easily talk about. Examples: what kind of work do you do? where do you live? where are you from? Those questions will lead to conversations.

6. Follow up a meeting with an email or a handwritten thank you note.

5. Don’t go into networking thinking you’ll walk away with immediate clients. You need to develop relationships with people and that can take time.

4. It isn’t always about you! Networking is about helping others. If everyone shares that way of thinking you will eventually see the benefits.

3. Be nice and be open to meeting all sorts of people. Sometimes referrals will come from the most random sources.

2. Set up a coffee date to get to know someone better.

1. Have fun! Networking is about meeting new people and making connections.

Anna Mayer-Huls is a broker associate with @properties in Chicago. An expert in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, Anne works in all aspects of residential real estate and acts as a referral resource for her clients. Anna is also engaged in her community. A member of the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, she also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Logan Square Dog Park Committee and Honor Flight Chicago. Anna is also the Director of the River North Chapter of the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network.