How to Network at Business Events: Top Influencer Secrets

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about networking. Here are a few highlights:

Some people love business events because it gives them a chance to meet more prospective customers. Some people hate business events because they think it takes them out of the shop or office.?

But there’s a secret to making the most of these opportunities. Not only will your network of connections grow, but your business will also grow, along with your reputation as an influencer.?

Top influencers know: the secret is to attend the event and show up as yourself, for all the right reasons.?

Show up with the right attitude

Most people show up at business events looking for their next client. That’s NOT the best reason to attend. People can smell it if you’re “on the hunt”; it’s a real turn-off. There are better reasons to attend such events and they help you create more authentic relationships

While it’s important to acknowledge that every connection you make is potentially important for your business, don’t go to the event expecting to receive. Instead, go with the intent that you want to give and serve.?

Instead of looking for your next client, adopt the attitude that you want to find out who else you and your company can help. It could be a young entrepreneur or a new business in town. Can you mentor them? Or give them a monthly strategy session to help them succeed?

When you arrive at the event, these are the people you might want to be looking for so you can understand how you can be helpful.

How to introduce yourself without feeling awkward

If you’re a natural extrovert, introducing yourself is usually easy to do, though you may want to be aware of what you say: don’t automatically jump into a long monologue about yourself or your business. Get to know the other person.

If you’re a natural introvert, you can still make a good impression by being willing to take a step toward someone and make the connection.

Make a mental note about what their name is and repeat it out loud: “Hi Alice, it’s nice to meet you.” It’s so much easier to remember the other person’s name when you speak it out loud. Also make a mental note about what color Alice’s hair is, or her eyes, or her glasses, as a way to connect a name with something memorable about the other person.

Listen before you speak

Most people only half-listen when the other person goes first; that’s because they are thinking about what they’re going to say when it’s their turn. Don’t let that be you!?

After saying the other person’s name out loud and mentally noticing something about them to help you remember them, keep looking at them while they talk, and pay attention to what they’re saying. (Meaning: it’s impolite to be talking to someone while you’re constantly glancing over their shoulder or around the room, looking for someone more important or influential than they are. That’s just rude.)

When it’s your turn to speak, think about what you can share that would be relevant to the other person. And don’t talk for too long before asking the other person another question or two.

Be prepared with unique, sincere questions

Sure you can ask the usual questions about what company they work for, where they live, how many children they have, etc. Those are OK, and they’re even important to a certain extent.

But to get to know someone, and for them to feel like you really care about them, ask something different:

• What projects are you working on right now that you love?
• In your field, what do you love most about how you are able to help your customers?
• What do you envision for the future of your company? Why does that excite you?
• What do you love to do in your free time, when you aren’t working?

Make introductions

As you talk to someone at the event, think about who else you know that would be a good connection for them. It doesn’t have to be business-related. It could be that they love to ski and you can introduce them to someone who works for a local ski area, or someone with kids the same age as theirs who also love to ski. Or maybe they consider themselves to be a “foodie” and you introduce them to another foodie.?

Or if they talk about renovating a house, you can introduce them to a contractor or to a mortgage lender, depending on what they need.?

Also, be aware that the best way to politely exit one conversation so you can enter another one is to make an introduction.?

Follow up??

During the event, jot down a few notes to yourself about who you’ve just met and something useful you want to remember about them (where they live; their company; what they need; etc.). Be sure to follow up with a quick email within forty-eight hours. If you can offer to help them in any way, even better.?

Put people first

Be different from most of the people who attend business events. When you go in with the attitude that you’re there to help, the people you meet will remember you and appreciate you. All of that means your business will grow, but it will be for all the right reasons: you put people first.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected] ; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert