What to Do at a Networking Event
Follow these simple steps for making networking a breeze.
1. Choose networking events wisely. Don’t waste time attending events that won’t serve you. Make a list of your top 5 networking event choices.
2. Research the group and event that you plan to attend so you have talking points and an idea of who else will be there. Keep notes on each event.
3. Get organized – bring your business cards and other helpful materials such as a notebook, pen, etc. What will you include in your networking toolkit?
4. Prepare ahead of time so you know what to wear, what to bring and how long it will take to get there. This way there is no last minute rushing to detract from your confident arrival. Create a pre-event checklist:
a. Is my outfit clean, pressed and ready?
b. Have I done my research?
c. Is my Networking Toolkit complete and in my bag/briefcase?
d. Do I have the correct address, directions and times?
e. How do I feel? (You will feel more confident if you are comfortable and feeling good.)
5. Bring a business card holder, notebook or folder to neatly hold material you collect from others at the event. It looks more professional and it shows respect for the work others have done to create their materials. You’re also less likely to lose an important name or number. You can make this a standard part of your Networking Toolkit.
6. Approach valuable contacts (remember quality vs. quantity and Centers of Influence) – it’s not a race, talk to people who appeal to you not just as many people as you can. Always begin a conversation with small talk rather than jumping right in to business topics. It’s more polite and a much better way to build relationships. What strategies will you use to approach people with whom you would like to become acquainted?
7. Don’t push your contact info on people you meet – make them want to ask you for it. This is where having useful information to offer them is helpful. You can also ask if you can contact the person in the future if you feel that they would be open to that. What are some ways you can put the value you have into a tangible article or piece of information that you can share with others? For example, write an article, create a list of resources or an assessment tool you can hand out. Remember to include your contact information on anything you share with others.
8. Debrief your experience of this event after you leave. Take a few minutes to write down some notes or comments about how you felt, who you spoke to, if you feel this was an effective venue for your networking, etc. What did you do or say that worked and what didn’t? What are the criteria with which you will assess networking events?
9. Follow up with anyone you promised to contact. Make the calls, send the emails and forward along any material in a timely fashion. This is an extremely important step. If you don’t think you will follow through on a promise, don’t make one. Not keeping promises will have a negative impact on your personal and professional reputation. Create a simple process for following up with networking contacts. Perhaps you will create a chart that you list networking promises on with a place for checking off completed items. Consider the model below:
10. Stay in touch with the important network contacts you meet consistently as you build your network. For example: you might decide to send a quarterly newsletter on your business to your network or send birthday cards to people in your network. Choose one or a couple of activities that you are comfortable with and do them consistently. How will you maintain contact with your network?
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As a formerly extremely shy underachiever, Ruth truly understands the personal demons that hold women back and, most importantly, how to shed those demons and become authentically our powerful brilliant selves. Learn more and contact Ruth at http://www.ConfidenceMentor.com
