Networking events can be a great way to expand your professional connections, learn from others, and discover new opportunities. However, to make the most of them, you need to prepare and follow up effectively. Here are some tips on how to do that.
Before you attend a networking event, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do you want to meet potential employers, mentors, collaborators, or customers? Do you want to learn more about a specific industry, topic, or trend? Do you want to showcase your skills, projects, or achievements? Having a specific goal will help you focus your efforts and choose the right events to attend.
Let's be real - networking isn't everyone's cup of tea. It can feel overwhelming or agonizing for introverts, people who don’t like it, or those times when you’re just not up for it (but still have to go). In those cases, don't overstress the goal setting. The best and most realistic goal in that situation could be to simply show up and have one meaningful conversation. That's it! Not every event is going to end with the success of you walking away with new prospects, business, or job leads. Sometimes the greatest success is pushing past our comfort zone. This may feel like a small win, but even so, it can build your confidence and make attending the next event a bit easier - and maybe more tolerable.
Once you have a goal, you should do some research on the event and the attendees. Find out the format, agenda, speakers, and sponsors of the event. Look for the profiles, websites, or social media accounts of the people you want to meet. Learn about their backgrounds, interests, challenges, and goals. This will help you tailor your pitch, prepare relevant questions, and start meaningful conversations.
Before you go to the event, you should also prepare your materials and your elevator pitch. Your materials include your business cards, resume, portfolio, or any other documents that showcase your value and credibility. Your elevator pitch is a short and catchy introduction that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what you offer. It should be clear, concise, and customized to your audience and your goal. Practice your pitch until you can deliver it confidently and naturally.
During the event, you should aim to engage with others and add value. Don't just hand out your cards or talk about yourself. Listen actively, ask open-ended questions, show interest and enthusiasm, and offer help or advice. Try to connect with people who share your goals, interests, or challenges. Avoid monopolizing anyone's time or interrupting other conversations. Be respectful, polite, and professional.
I think the 'add value' of this piece can intimidate people - how can I add value to someone I just met? By being curious. Here's a trick I use (and this is great for introverts) - for each person you meet, pretend that you have just been told they are going to give a talk and you have to introduce them - in 5 minutes! If that were the case you would want to know: → what's their topic (what they love) → why do they love it → what's their unique background that led them to this topic If that's not in your comfort zone, here's a great ice-breaker: → "How would you describe what you do to a teenager?" The assumptions are short attention spans and no industry knowledge. It's a fun question that leads to more authentic conversations!
After the event, you should follow up and stay in touch with the people you met. Send a personalized email or message within 24 hours, thanking them for their time and reminding them of your conversation. Mention something specific that you learned, enjoyed, or appreciated. Suggest a next step, such as setting up a meeting, sending a resource, or joining a group. Keep the communication going until you build a solid relationship.
This bit can be hard to stand out, we're all taught to send the personalized, 'here's a piece of content I thought you would like" follow-up. Boring. Instead, challenge yourself to come up with 'what did I learn' moments with each person to use in your follow-up (in the 24-hour window). This demonstrates active listening and helps you make an authentic connection. Here's an example: "Hey Tom, it was great talking with you at [event] yesterday - and thank you for educating me on the story behind the naming of the Trash Pandas- who knew! Hope to see you at the ballpark soon" For extra-extraverts, end with an invitation to a game. For deeper topics, end with "I would love to continue our conversation..." and suggest a meeting.
Finally, you should evaluate your results and improve your skills. Review your goals and see if you met them. Reflect on what worked well and what didn't. Identify your strengths and weaknesses as a networker. Seek feedback from others or record yourself practicing. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes. Keep attending relevant events and applying these tips until networking becomes second nature to you.
Don't overthink it. Walking into a room can be intimating. Just focus on meeting one person. The goal is a few good connections, not 50.