7 Tips for Acing Your First Networking Event
By: Lauren Marsicano
Insta: @networkingmaverick
7 Tips for Acing Your First Networking Event
Have you ever made plans to do something new? Like booking a skydiving session? Or scheduling an appointment with a new stylist for a haircut? No matter how exciting the activity, we can feel unprepared or anxious in the time leading up to that new experience. Same goes for networking.
Whether you’re brand new to networking, or you’re getting back into it after a long break, these tips will help you ace your upcoming networking event.
BEFORE YOU GO
1. Do your research.
If you’ve looked for a networking event to attend, you may have found that there are quite a few networking events happening on the same day, or even at the same time. Thanks to technology and social media, we are more connected than ever. And this allows us to do a quick search for events happening in our area. Searching platforms like Facebook and Eventbrite can help you find the right event to suit your networking needs. If you join a professional networking group, such as Business Networking International (BNI) or your local chamber of commerce, it gives you access to exclusive events with other like-minded individuals looking to do business.
Another out-of-the-box alternative is subscribing to newsletters from local entertainment media outlets that share what is happening during the week or month. Then make it a point to attend those events. Despite not being formal networking events, they could provide opportunities to make strategic connections. The key is to attend events where you may meet people in need of your product or service, or where you can meet business partners and allies.
2. Set a goal.
What is your purpose in attending the event? We all have a goal we want to achieve, and we need to make sure it is clear, so we make the most out of our time at these events. The Co-founder of The Huffington Post and CEO of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington, recommends setting micro-goals so you leave feeling satisfied with how you invested your time.
Here are some micro-goals you could set before you attend a networking event:
Speak to at least 5 new people.
Exchange contact information - e.g., social media, emails, or LinkedIn profiles.
Introduce yourself, then engage your new connection by asking meaningful questions that are handy in any conversation.
3. Dress accordingly (but, not in the way you think).
When preparing your outfit, it’s important to keep in mind that the way you present yourself is a direct reflection of your business and brand. It only takes people 7 seconds to form an impression of you and your business, so make those seconds count. You don’t have to wear a suit and button-up shirt, but you do have to look professional.
The best outfit for any networking event is:
Clean
Comfortable
Professional
You could spend more than an hour on your feet while networking, so choose clothes and shoes that meet all of the above requirements.
4. Business cards aren’t always a bad idea.
Many of us use technology to do a lot of things for our businesses. But what if you have an amazing conversation with someone, and they don’t have their phone on them? Or what if you only have a digital business card, and they don’t quite know how to navigate networking digitally? This is a missed opportunity to connect and stay in touch with a valuable new connection. You never know who you are going to meet and what they prefer, so keep an old-fashioned business card handy, as well as digital forms of communication - like social media profiles or QR codes.
A great way to share your contact information is a QR code. You can even include one on your business card to keep all your information stored in one place and make storing your contact information hassle-free. Click here to generate a QR code for your next networking event.
DURING THE EVENT
5. Introduce yourself.
The best way to start any conversation with someone new is to introduce yourself. Smile, make a comfortable amount of eye contact, and say, “Hi, I'm [FIRST AND LAST NAME], it's nice to meet you.” Then, give them the opportunity to introduce themselves.
In his best-selling book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie suggests repeating someone’s name once you first meet them. Then, adding their name sporadically into the conversation in ways that sounds natural. For example, “So, tell me, [THEIR NAME], what has been the biggest challenge in your business this year?” The purpose for this is two-fold: it helps you remember their name, and it makes the person feel like you are interested and engaged in the conversation.
6. Ask the right questions and keep the conversation engaging.
It can be difficult to determine what to talk about at a networking event. It could range from the venue where the event is being held, to your weekend plans. Here are some ideas for questions you could ask to maximize your networking time and keep the conversation engaging:
Have you attended these sorts of events before?
What value have you gotten out of this event?
What did you like about the event so far?
What brought you here today?
What kind of connection would help you in your business?
If it’s an industry-specific event, you could ask them how the economy has affected their business, or share ways that it has affected yours. Or open up a discussion about an interesting industry trend.
Another idea to keep the conversation going is to ask them about other networking events they’ve attended, or groups that they are part of, that they’ve found helpful. This could open you up to attending future events together and ultimately adding them to your network.
AFTER YOU LEAVE
7. Follow up.
Right after you leave the event, follow up with those connections that seemed could help you most in your business. If the event is at night, follow up the morning after the event.
Whether you’ve exchanged emails, LinkedIn profiles, or social media profiles, make sure that your message is personalized and expresses interest in a future one-on-one call or meeting.
So, do you feel more equipped to walk into your first networking event and ace it? It’s ok if you don’t. Here’s the thing about networking: the more you do it, the better you get at it. If you don’t ace this event, then take what you’ve learned from these tips, add in what you learned from your own experience, and try again.
You got this!
Happy Connecting!