8 Methods to Get the Most Out of Networking Occasions

July
21, 2021

6 min learn

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I’m typically requested by different entrepreneurs how I grew my public-relations enterprise and the way I acquire new shoppers. There are a number of examples I can share, however I often begin with one reply they don’t anticipate. I speak concerning the significance of attending networking occasions. 

What’s nice about networking occasions is that they give you the results you want irrespective of when you’re a brand new enterprise or one with a protracted historical past. You is usually a novice or an professional, but you doubtlessly have the identical alternative to fulfill significant contacts as each different individual within the room.

Earlier than I stroll right into a networking occasion, I pump myself up with a easy thought: There’s one individual within the room that I’m supposed to fulfill. That individual could sometime sooner or later refer me to somebody who turns into a consumer, or she or he could instantly develop into a consumer themselves. The onerous half is determining who within the room it’s that I want to fulfill. Additional complicating the duty is that I’m solely going to remain an hour or two on the occasion. Which means, I have to be environment friendly to fulfill as many individuals as I can earlier than I go away.

To satisfy your targets and get probably the most out of networking occasions, listed below are eight networking ideas which have labored for me and might give you the results you want, no matter when you’re new to networking or take into account your self an professional. 

Associated: 5 Ideas for Stress-Free Networking

1. Community such as you’re snorkeling

In case you’re snorkeling and also you swim out in a gaggle, you may scare away the fish as an alternative of attracting them. As compared, when you go off by yourself and stay nonetheless, the fish will come to you. In case you’re uncomfortable strolling as much as strangers, plant your self at a waist-high bar desk in a traffic-heavy space of the room and folks will begin introducing themselves to you.

2. Search for folks standing by themselves at a desk or alongside the wall

Everybody attending a networking occasion is there to fulfill folks. In case you don’t know the place to go or whom to speak to, search for folks ready for somebody to stroll as much as them. They’ll admire that you simply took step one.

3. Observe the KISS Methodology

Not that sort of kiss! KISS: Hold It Easy Silly. You’re not making an attempt to get a date or impress anybody, so don’t fear about having a sensible pick-up line. “Hello my identify is…” is a wonderful opener. Have a easy back-up query like “Have you ever been to this occasion earlier than?” or “Are you excited for the massive sports activities sport this week?” to try to get a dialog began. Don’t discuss work; that’ll come quickly sufficient by itself. Simply attempt to make a private connection when first assembly somebody.

Associated: 5 Ideas for Genuine Networking in a Co-Working House

4. The shorter the higher

The purpose of a networking occasion is to speak to as many individuals as doable, so don’t stick with anybody too lengthy. 5 to 10 minutes ought to be the max. In case you’re solely speaking to 1 individual, invite her or him to affix you in strolling over to a much bigger group. In case you’re already in a much bigger group, it’s typically straightforward to pivot your physique to welcome others in or get another person in your line of sight and rapidly take a number of steps in the direction of her or him to maneuver into the subsequent closest group. Nobody will probably be offended that you simply didn’t say goodbye, particularly if she or he is in the course of a dialog with another person while you slip away.

5. Give attention to the connection, not the sale

Nobody goes to purchase what you’re promoting throughout the networking occasion. Your aim is to make a connection as a way to observe up with the individual after the occasion. Let her or him speak as a lot as doable. The extra you study concerning the individual, the stronger the connection and, probably, the extra she or he will such as you.

6. Gather enterprise playing cards selectively

It’s not a contest to get or give out probably the most enterprise playing cards. You’re solely searching for playing cards from folks you assume you may need to speak to once more. The explanation could merely be that you simply appreciated speaking to them, otherwise you hope to do enterprise with them, or that they may be a great referral supply for you. After you are taking somebody’s card, write down one thing from the dialog on the again as a way to electronic mail the individual about it later. It may be a favourite sports activities group or one thing the individual stated about his or her youngsters. 

7. Give out enterprise playing cards thoughtfully

Each card you give out may get you added to a different electronic mail record or lead to you getting calls the place they attempt to promote you on their product. In case you somebody asks in your card, you probably want to present it out of courtesy. That doesn’t imply you should provide your card to somebody in case you have no real interest in speaking to the individual once more.

Associated: How Networking Can Improve Your Enterprise’ Internet Price

8. Shake palms with the necessary folks

 You don’t have to know the individual or actually have a dialog with them. In case you see an elected official, the occasion host or an necessary enterprise chief within the room, make sure to shake his or her hand. Simply stroll up when she or he is speaking to another person, put your hand out and say it’s good seeing her or him on the occasion and stroll away. She or he will assume you’ve met previously and that she or he merely forgot your identify. After a number of occasions of doing this, that individual will begin to acknowledge your face, and earlier than you realize it, will probably be strolling as much as you and putting up a dialog.

Networking is a protracted sport, not about closing a sale instantly. The very best networkers are constant and repetitive, however not pushy. Going to the identical occasion month after month, saying howdy to the identical folks and in the end getting remembered ought to be the aim when attending networking occasions. It’s solely when you’re actually remembered that the folks you construct relationships with usually tend to actually take note of what it’s you do, and solely then will they work to determine a technique to work with you as a result of they lastly really feel like they know (and belief) you.

And most significantly, smile! You’re imagined to be having enjoyable at these occasions! So get on the market, chill out, shake palms and benefit from the expertise.