How to Most Effectively use C#.NET to communicate with COM Objects?

I've been given a task to write a series of C#.NET apps to communicate with a software product's COM objects.  I've never done something like this before so naturally searched the Internet for tips & tricks on how to do so.  I did find some general information but nothing of a "best practices" or "do's & don'ts".

My employer has tried the same a little in the past but found the communication to be extremely slow.  I'm hoping there might be someone on here who has successfully done this before and would kindly offer some valuable tips on how to do it in the most effective way possible.

Thank you!

Robert Werner