Live events are great opportunities to expand your network, learn new skills, and discover new career paths. But how do you make the most of them and avoid wasting your time and energy on superficial conversations? Here are some tips to help you make meaningful connections at any live event.
Before you attend a live event, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do you want to meet potential mentors, collaborators, or clients? Do you want to learn more about a specific topic or industry? Do you want to showcase your expertise or portfolio? Having a specific goal will help you focus your attention and filter out irrelevant distractions.
Once you have a goal, you should do some research on the event itself, the speakers, the attendees, and the organizers. Find out what topics will be covered, what questions will be asked, and what challenges will be addressed. Look for people who share your interests, goals, or challenges, and make a list of who you want to talk to. You can also reach out to them before the event via email, social media, or the event platform, and express your interest in connecting with them.
When you meet someone at a live event, you want to make a good impression and spark their curiosity. That's why you need to prepare a short and clear pitch that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what value you can offer. Your pitch should be tailored to your goal and audience, and include a hook that invites further conversation. For example, you can mention a recent project, a relevant insight, or a common challenge.
During the event, you should be fully present and engaged with the people and the content. Avoid multitasking, checking your phone, or looking around for other opportunities. Instead, listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and offer genuine feedback. Show your enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation for the other person's time and expertise. You can also use body language, eye contact, and facial expressions to convey your interest and rapport.
Be genuine! If you ask a question do so because you're interested in the answer, not just for the sake of asking a question. It's pretty easy to spot when someone isn't interested. When you hear the answer, play back what you heard and use that to feed into your next question. It will not only show you were listening, it will help the information stick and create a story that is easier to recall later.
After the event, you should follow up with the people you met and maintain the connection. Send them a personalized email or message within 24 hours, reminding them of your conversation and expressing your gratitude. You can also suggest a specific action or next step, such as scheduling a call, sharing a resource, or introducing them to someone else. Make sure you follow through on your promises and deliver on your value proposition.
Finally, you should nurture your network and build long-term relationships with the people you met at the live event. Don't just contact them when you need something from them, but keep in touch regularly and offer your support, advice, or referrals. You can also invite them to join your online communities, attend other events, or collaborate on projects. By nurturing your network, you will create trust, loyalty, and mutual benefit.
Be genuine! Networking can become a minefield of names and faces so think about what makes you memorable. If reaching out on LinkedIn to connect, include a note to remind them what you talked about or thank them for sharing information that they did.