Fish out of Water!!!!

I attended my first ever networking event this evening, to sum it up it was a wake up call to what I lack socially which is my ability to communicate effectively with others (How I ended up in sales and done well is anybodies guess.

It took me back to high school meeting new people and stumbling over words trying to talk to girls. It was a crowed room with people mingling, creating little groups or had their groups organized before going. The latter was obvious to spot out since they had there own table and were involved in each other as though they were friends forever.

Back to me, in the hour I spent there I talked to seven people and walked out with three cards. If this was a game I would have been the loser at the table.

What I found difficult was building that connection, each conversation I had lasted no more then two minutes... Hi, my name is, yours? What do you do great! Well I do..... It was nice meeting you; all the while staring into that persons eye trying to dissect who they are at the same time trying to find that connection. The worst part of it was the look in their eyes saying who are you? You don't anything offer me let move on!

Another obstacle to this event was the "Networking Etiquette" or is there any I wonder????
As I mentioned before by the time I arrive people were into their conversations or their groups so how does one get involve into one of these groups or a conversation? You don't want to be rude butting in to someones conversation or get caught eaves dropping, so what is the proper etiquette to spear head into a conversation already in progress otherwise you would be the wallflower at the bar asking yourself what am I doing here?

This I ask the anyone to help me please?