Networking is a valuable skill that can help you build relationships, expand your opportunities, and grow your career. However, it can also be challenging, especially if you are not sure how to prepare for it and set clear goals. In this article, you will learn some practical tips on how to make the most of your networking opportunities and achieve your desired outcomes.
Before you attend a networking event, do some homework on the event itself and the people who will be there. Find out the purpose, format, and agenda of the event, and identify the speakers, organizers, and potential contacts that interest you. You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Eventbrite, to learn more about their backgrounds, interests, and goals. This will help you tailor your introduction, pitch, and questions to them, and show that you are genuinely interested in them.
Counter perspective - when strangers come up to me at networking events and know “too much” about me that they’ve clearly just learned by stalking attendees prior to walking in the door, it’s off putting to me and many others. Now, when I’m the speaker or host that’s another thing. But my advice is to broadly know the crowd and mindset of who’s there and why, and to just meet as many people as possible and network organically.
You can go in with an open mindset to see what happens and that's ok. If you want to capitalize on the opportunity do research. Via LinkedIn and other social media see who's posting and commenting about the event. That will give you an idea if it's with your time to go. Do some sleuthing to find out more about the companies that will be there and what they currently have going on.
If you are going to show up and get to know people, it's a good idea to know your crowd. That doesn't mean you need to know everything about everyone. If you've done your homework and know the landscape of the event and the attendees, you'll be ready to get folks talking by asking great (and relevant) questions. Making conversation is about getting other people talking (not making a pitch) and you do that by being genuinely curious and listening when people talk. Scribble notes or dictate to your voice-notes for follow up later.
Researching event details and attendees is essential for effective networking. Start by understanding the event's schedule, topics, and speakers. Identify potential connections among attendees, such as researchers, industry leaders, or peers. Set specific goals, like establishing collaborations, learning from experts, or showcasing your work. Tailor your approach based on these objectives for a successful networking experience.
Networking without a clear purpose and objectives can lead to wasted time, energy, and opportunities. Therefore, before you go to a networking event, ask yourself why you are going and what you want to achieve. For example, do you want to learn something new, meet a specific person, find a mentor, or explore a career change? Once you have your purpose, set some specific, measurable, and realistic objectives that align with it. For example, how many people do you want to talk to, what kind of information do you want to get, or what action do you want them to take?
The best objective for networking in business is to cultivate genuine relationships that foster mutual growth, share knowledge, and create opportunities for collaboration. It's about building trust, understanding the needs of others, and positioning oneself as a valuable resource, rather than just seeking personal gain. Successful networking leads to both personal and professional development, with a focus on long-term benefits over short-term gains.
Intentionality is everything. Why go anywhere if you don’t know why? Why try to do “something” if you don’t know what the something is? Having targets helps us hit them. Having a game-plan let’s us prep for and execute it. Sometimes we just network to get our name out more - and that’s ok too, as long as it’s intentional and we are successful in our endeavor.
It doesn't have to be a huge, overwhelming goal, like meeting thirty new people. Start small: "My objective for this event will be accomplished, if I talk to one new person from my priority list, and our conversation flows naturally, without being forced. We found common ground and there's interest from both sides to continue the conversation outside the event." The whole point of networking is not about numbers, but about the depth of of relationship you are building, and how much value you are offering before asking for something.
Seize the opportunity for any type of engagement that is aligned with your work-life balance, goals, mission, and vision. Never hesitate to say “yes” to a special invitation to a networking event that could potentially be of value to you or of benefit to others. Your presence there is important to continue to build that meaningful relationship with like minded individuals. Next time you’re about to say “no” to an opportunity, just think of this great quote from Dr. Mansur Hasib, “ Simply showing up will lead to chance meetings” and you will see magic. It will make you consider the best possible option for you. Just show up. Those who have the courage to show up will build great impromptu relationships and great personal brand presence.
Events that clearly define attendee types are great! Take the time to map out one's objectives and purpose to each attendee type and note what they care about, how you relate to them, where you can potentially add value and how they can help you in meeting your objectives. Prioritize attendee type based on your own objectives. When you build a great connection with someone, use the initial meeting to get to know them and if value can be derived in the future, ensure that you set up a way to stay connected in the future and leave the conversation open-ended so that you can follow up. Aim to meet as many people as you can at the event based and the time spent with each attendee type should be prioritized based on your objectives.
One of the most important aspects of networking is making a good first impression and establishing rapport with your contacts. To do this, you need to prepare a concise and compelling introduction and pitch that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what value you can offer. Your introduction and pitch should be customized to the event and the audience, and highlight your relevant skills, achievements, and goals. You should also practice your introduction and pitch beforehand, and make sure you can deliver it confidently and naturally.
When it comes to preparation, if you know what you are doing in your business or profession, you won't need a pitch. Understanding the people and event will give you some ideas about what you can share to help others. Go; ready to be generous. Share your expertise freely (not to brag, but to actually help). People will connect with you if you listen, hear a problem and offer a solution, rather than telling them to engage you or pay you for your services. You won't need a "pitch" if you know your stuff and share it freely when appropriate. Make introductions generously, showing that you care more about the person you are talking to, rather than trying to capture a client.
Don’t over prepare. People really don’t network to be “pitched to”. If you overhear people saying the same things to you word for word as others you won’t feel as special, will you? Just relax, be yourself, let people come to you and BE NATURAL.
Even juniors can offer value. Recently obtained a professional certificate? Share your learnings and experience! Know how to train dogs? Offer advice! It doesn't have to be strictly professional. After all, we are all humans and have lives outside work. The important thing is that now you have a common ground to establish rapport and nurture your new connection in the future. Affinity bias is real.
Another key aspect of networking is engaging in meaningful and memorable conversations with your contacts. To do this, you need to plan some open-ended questions and conversation topics that can spark interest, curiosity, and rapport. Your questions and topics should be relevant to the event and the person, and show that you have done your research and have something to offer. You should also avoid asking too many questions or dominating the conversation, and instead listen actively and attentively to their responses.
Prepare thoughtful questions and conversation topics for a productive networking opportunity. Tailor inquiries to your goals, whether it's seeking advice, sharing your expertise, or forging collaborations. Be a good listener, showing genuine interest in others' insights. Well-planned discussions can lead to meaningful connections and achieving your event objectives.
If you are new to networking it is smart to have a few ideas of conversation starters. Be prepared for a few different circumstances. What do you say when you approach someone standing alone? Try a funny one, "alright, what's the game plan? You cover the west corner, and I'll take the east?" Then admit you have no idea what you are doing. How can you interject yourself into an ongoing conversation with others already talking? "Don't let me interrupt, please continue" is enough to enter a circle of ongoing conversation. Are you waiting in a food or drink line? Try "this must be the good stuff." Is this your first time at this event? Say so! "I'm new to this event, have you attended before?" A seasoned veteran might be glad to make intros.
When you research the event and know your purpose, this will give you some questions to ask at the event. These can make you feel comfortable and help start a conversation. Always start by asking people about themselves as that always gets good engagement as well. Don't overprepare and be authentic in your approach and people will be open to having a chat with you. Finally, speak to someone within the first 5-10 minutes of being in the session to ensure that you get over that nervousness.
Finally, to ensure a successful networking experience, you need to bring some essentials and follow up with your contacts. Some of the essentials you need are your business cards, your resume or portfolio, your phone or tablet, and a pen and notebook. You should also dress appropriately and professionally for the event, and bring a positive and friendly attitude. After the event, you should follow up with your contacts within 24 hours, and thank them for their time, remind them of your conversation, and suggest a next step.
This is very important. I often create online forms to help me capture necessary details whenever I am attending an event with the intention to network with prospects. It makes it easier for me to get and organise their details. I only use this technique if I’m at the event to network with business prospects. Another handy thing to carry along is a card holder. Some persons might be too engaged to spare time but would certainly want to connect with you so they give you their cards instead. Securely store these cards to avoid possible loss and the chances of these cards getting into the wrong hands.
For a successful networking opportunity at your goal event, bring essentials like business cards, a notepad, and a professional appearance. After the event, follow up promptly with contacts to solidify connections. Send thank-you emails, connect on social media, and discuss potential collaborations. These post-event actions are crucial for long-term networking success.
Follow up is key. You'll want to remind people of something from your conversation. If you promised to make an intro, do it within a day or two of the event. Shameless plug for my networking courses on Linkedin Learning: https://www.dhirubhai.net/learning/the-ultimate-guide-to-professional-networking covers some broad territory. And, if you are looking for how to find opportunities for networking, this course has some suggestions. https://www.dhirubhai.net/learning/21-opportunities-for-better-networking.
A networking mantra that keeps me in the right headspace is "curiosity and generosity." If you come back to those two ideas, it'll keep you from the pitfalls of seeming transactional, or impersonal, or salesy. Take your time, there's no prize for the most contacts or the largest stack of business cards. However, if you find you are in a corner, with one person too long, have an out ready to give you the freedom to break away. It can be as simple as "I've got a few more connections to make, and hope to see more of you....thank you for taking the time with me tonight." And, likewise, don't monopolize someone's time, and give them the same "out" to go circulate.
Networking events are crucial for achieving goals and success. They offer opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, share knowledge, and explore collaborations. Building relationships at such events opens doors to valuable insights, resources, and support. Networking is the bridge that can turn aspirations into reality.
Networking is not about business transactions. Few people will want to work with or partner with you after mere minutes of interaction at an event. When you focus on building a relationship first, you will not only reach your goal (to sell, to get hired, to land partnerships, etc.), but you might also make a friend along the way. Find areas where you can offer a small dose of value, like offering to make an introduction or sharing a relevant article or report. Bottom line: you will always get more by giving than by pitching.