How can you build a Thought Leadership network with live events?

2 Prepare your value proposition

Before you attend or host a live event, you need to have a clear and compelling value proposition. This is the statement that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what you can offer to your network. Your value proposition should be concise, specific, and relevant to the event theme and audience. It should also highlight your unique selling point, the thing that sets you apart from other thought leaders in your field. You can use your value proposition to introduce yourself, pitch your ideas, or invite collaborations during the event.

3 Engage with the event community

One of the benefits of live events is that they create a sense of community among the participants. You can leverage this to build your thought leadership network by engaging with the event community before, during, and after the event. Before the event, you can join the event platform, social media group, or email list, and introduce yourself, share your expectations, or ask questions. During the event, you can participate in the live chat, Q&A sessions, polls, or breakout rooms, and interact with other attendees, speakers, or hosts. After the event, you can follow up with the people you met, thank them for their insights, or propose further discussions or collaborations.

4 Showcase your expertise and personality

Live events are also great opportunities to showcase your expertise and personality to your network. You can do this by delivering valuable content, sharing your opinions, or telling your stories during the event. Whether you are a speaker, a host, or an attendee, you can demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and experience in your niche, and provide useful tips, insights, or solutions to your audience. You can also express your personality, your values, your passions, or your humor, and make a memorable impression on your network.

5 Nurture your relationships

Building a thought leadership network is not a one-time event. It is a long-term process that requires nurturing your relationships with your network. You need to stay in touch with your contacts, provide value to them, and support their goals and projects. You can do this by following them on social media, subscribing to their newsletters, blogs, or podcasts, commenting on their posts, or sharing their content. You can also invite them to your own live events, join their live events, or collaborate on live events together. By nurturing your relationships, you can strengthen your trust, credibility, and influence in your network.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?