Research various networking groups and associations to find out which ones will work for you. Research your contacts by asking them questions, so you will know with whom you are dealing. Research every possible opportunity. Keep your eyes and ears on the news, current events, and local developments. Promote yourself effectively.
Good communications are invaluable in any situation.
Be articulate, concise, enthusiastic, honest, open. Use language with which you are comfortable but make sure it is powerful. This is as important as speaking. Don't make the mistake so many people do. Rather than listening, they spend their time thinking of the next thing they are going to say, thus taking virtually nothing in at all.