A few months ago I won a "Networking Idol" contest at "A Midsummer Networking Dream" event hosted by a regional chamber of commerce I belong to. In this friendly competition (complete with our own wacky, hair-flipping Paula, a hip Randy and a much nicer version of Simon), a packed room of business professionals saw an assortment of skits covering networking humdingers and duds.

Then a few of us got to present our 30-second pitches and were rated by the judges and the crowd. Scary stuff if you hate to be the center of attention; but the program provided great insight that every entrepreneur can benefit from.

What made my presentation a winner? According to the judges, it hit all the major hot buttons because I was genuine, enthusiastic, pithy and informative. To help you boost your networking returns, consider these guidelines and a few savvy tips from other nimble networkers:

Up close and professional. If you want to be taken seriously, act the part. People make snap decisions about you, your firm and your competency based on the total package you present. At in-person functions, that translates into paying attention to all the details--starting with your attire. Make sure it's neat and clean, representing who you say you are. For example, a spiffy blue suit works well for the banking and financial set, while pressed blue jeans paired with a funky jacket and jewelry are fine if you're in a creative field (advertising, graphic or web design, marketing).

Consider observing the proper amount of "personal space" whether you're standing or sitting--not too close, but not too far, either, so the other person doesn't have to shout to be heard. Think about how you speak and stand, too. Loud, fast talking and hunched shoulders are out.

Don't attack the hors d'oeuvres. Many of these events are held around dinner time, but even if you're hungry, beware of inhaling the food. No one likes trying to hold a serious conversation with someone who is cramming food into her mouth at the same time.

Don't schmooze. While the approach that night was lighthearted and humorous, it quickly became apparent that schmoozing was one of the top faux pas. Great networking is about starting a meaningful dialogue, where two parties share important information and objectives. After a few pleasantries, inquire about the person's services, her objectives and her target markets. Share resources as you're able, and be prepared to expound quickly and compellingly about your situation, the kinds of leads that best fit your firm, or perhaps a new service or alliance you plan to debut. Be as specific (and pithy) as possible, showing a genuine interest in what the new prospect is saying. This kind of consideration goes a long way toward fostering a positive impression.

Don't drone. This should be obvious, but you'd be amazed at how many people develop a robotic, flat and often endless introduction. To avoid this, write several different, short paragraphs (two  brief sentences at most) outlining tidbits about your firm or service, concentrating on the end value your firm delivers to your clients. Then practice your various pitches out loud. That's the best way to hear how you sound and determine whether you're covering your specifics with gusto.

Online networking 101. While in-person events are still major brand and business drivers, lots of folks are profiting from well-coordinated online, e-mail and phone networking as well. Successful online interaction is similar to in-person interaction, incorporating an upbeat tone, considerate approach, meaty information and timely follow-up.

Howard Greenstein, a social media strategist and self-billed social networking "evangelist" who owns the Harbrooke Group, says Web 2.0 is not just about putting up a profile on Facebook or LinkedIn that potentially limitless numbers of people can see. Social networks are proving to be successful marketing tools via referrals and recommendations. According to Greenstein, these networking spaces are real time-savers as well, because they allow you to showcase your credentials and expertise in one place, which eliminates the typical repetition of these stats in more traditional networking venues.

Walk the walk in whatever space you're in. Ceri Ruenheck, owner of It's Your Call, a bustling call-center company based in Harvard, Mass., routinely networks and makes introductions via e-mail. Recently she was referred to an out-of-state call-center business owned by another woman. After an initial chat, in which Ruenheck (a 15-year veteran) vetted the new peer, she received a lead that would be a better fit for this new networking connection. Unfortunately, after repeated attempts to connect via e-mail and phone, Ruenheck ended up giving the lead to another firm. The lesson here is that complete strangers can--and will--do business with you, whether you're in Alaska and they're in Des Moines, Iowa, if you walk the walk professionally, communicate in a timely fashion and deliver a quality product or service.

Less is more. An old sales equation still applies: The more people you interact with, the better chance you have of improving your results. However, my sales started improving dramatically when I stopped behaving like a manic card collector. Fifty cards in hand at the end of an evening means nothing if you made a bad impression going for quantity over quality.

So whether you're a ham or a wallflower, you can positively impact your bottom line through a tried-and-true (and very thrifty) marketing option: networking. Through strategic communications that facilitate thoughtful support, with a focus on value and professional follow-up, you can profit from face-to-face, phone, e-mail and online social networking spaces.