What do you do if you want to make meaningful connections at motivational speaking events and conferences?

Prior to the event, decide exactly what you want to accomplish and the kinds of relationships you want to build. This will help you stay focused on your objectives and direct your networking efforts.

Preparation is key for meaningful connections at events. How to prepare: *Research Attendees: Identify who you want to meet and their work. *Set Goals: Define your objectives for the event. *Craft Conversation Starters: Develop topics related to the event theme to spark engaging discussions. Recommended Action: Send a personalized pre-event message to key individuals, showing your interest in connecting. #Networking #PersonalDevelopment #EventPrep

Imagine that you are in a room with a few hundred people. How would you know who to talk to? Here are a few steps of preparations that will help you: 1. Look at the list of speakers, if it is provided, the list of participants 2. Select a maximum of 10 people as your priority contacts 3. Research their company, their profile and publications 4. Look at their picture so that you might recognise them 5. Prepare great questions as conversations openers Then, you can enjoy the event, have clear priorities and develop great connections.

I am always amazed at how easy it is to connect to participants and speakers. Guess why? Because they are also there for the same purpose. With participants and speakers alike, the most robust approach starts with a question about the conference's topic. By hearing their perspective first, you will get many benefits: - Hear what is essential for them - Discover if they are an excellent fit for you - Prepare your answer to match what you hear from them. - Introduce yourself in a way that adds value to them It is, in my experience, far better than an elevator pitch.

Are you open or closed? This question is sometimes asked at a store when you enter, and you have the impression that the staff is busy. When present at an event, people are probably wondering the same. I see people on their phones or reading the documentation when I look around. Some others are already sitting in very early for the next session. How should you be "open"? - Make eye contact with people - Walk around looking at people doing the same - When you see someone alone, get to them and ask them a question This will get you to make contact reasonably quickly and do something that most will appreciate. Remember, people are attending a networking event to ... network!

Did you speak to someone and discover their interest but realise that someone else is the right person to fulfil them, or is it not the right contact for you? Then think of somebody that you can introduce to them. If you don't, think of other ways you can add value to them, such as: - A resource you can suggest for them (website, book) - A person not present at the event that you can introduce them to - An idea can share with them - A great question to help them think further What you sow is what you reap! So try to give value to each person you meet... one way or another.

Be genuinely interested. I think the key for great connections is to have a genuine interest in the people you meet. Listen to understand and ask questions about what they are trying to accomplish or looking for from the event. We all go to these conferences looking for something: information about a particular topic a tip, insights on something we don't know too much about but we are interested, ways to solve problems or innovate, and connections. I always like to facilitate new connections among my connections. Like John Maxwell likes to ask himself : who do I know, that you should know?...is such a great networking question. Relationships are built with trust, and trust is built when we show we care.

As soon as I meet a person, I like to stay in touch with them, even if they don't directly fit the contact profile I am looking for. Would you happen to know why? You don't know what the person will become and whom they know. The easiest way is through LinkedIn, particularly the QR features. That only needs a few seconds. There are some additional ways, such as: - Ask for their business card. Don't forget to add some keywords at the back of the card to refer to some topics that you discussed - Enter their details directly in your CRM by asking them to type it in the CRM app or by scanning their business card. When you return to the office, send them a thank you email and invite them for further discussion on the topics you identified.

Most important point to be considered during Motivational Speaking, it is regular eye contact which help to make a good connection among audience. Also understanding audience's demographics and interests are also important for the same, we can also use story telling methodology which help in audience engagement.