I'm blown away!

Did you know that 85% of business success comes from building connections, yet most people walk away from events feeling like they’ve missed out?

In less than one week 330 of you have joined this newsletter already, which tells me you want to learn more about one or all of the following: how to pick more engaging events with your ideal connections and clients, turning events for your business into experiences, how to run an event for your business without losing money and business along the way, how to get the right sponsors and speakers at your event if you are sharing the stage and you want someone in your corner shouting about it with you. That someone is me!

Let's start this week by making the most of the events you attend; these are the biggest concerns I often hear from attendees:

• People often go to events without a clear plan, leading to wasted time and missed opportunities.
• Networking can feel awkward or forced, making it hard to build meaningful relationships.
• Without proper follow-up, connections rarely turn into actual results.

What can you do?

1. Prepare with Purpose: Set a clear goal before the event: Are you there to learn, network, or find clients? Who can you offer some genuine advice to, who can you collaborate with, who can help you reach your goals and overcome your fears. Be a Conscious Networker.
2. Network Authentically: Focus on quality over quantity. Genuine conversations create stronger connections. Too often, I see people in conversation at events, and the person they are trying to engage with is scanning the room around them and not paying attention. Please give people your time, 3 minutes of intentional conversation will quickly tell you if this is a good connection to make. Don't decide in seconds, and be rude, looking beyond the person in front of you. Many people notice this and feel that energy.
3. Follow Up Strategically: Take time throughout the event to note down the names of the people you most genuinely connected with so you can make sure to follow up within the next few days. It also helps me to write down why I wanted to keep talking to the person. I like to take selfies with those I am really enjoying the chat with, connect with them on social media immediately, send them the photo to find it later and tag the person when I am posting.

What's the payoff?

• Clear goals lead to more focused and productive conversations.
• Authentic networking creates lasting relationships that generate business opportunities.
• Consistent follow-up ensures that your time and effort translate into tangible results and you use time more effectively.

Remember, every event you attend is a chance to grow your business, connect with inspiring people, and create opportunities. With the right approach, you’ll never feel like you’ve wasted time again.

I highly recommend checking out the following events and getting registered TODAY if you are ready to really kickstart your year, I have chosen these events based on the attendee profile and the work I know the organisers put in and who and what the topics being covered are. These are all events I have attended in the past where there was little or no 'Clique' behaviour, and there was a genuine interest from the audience in connecting consciously.

February 18th and 19th 2025

Amplify Live, Croke Park, Dublin - for marketers, consultants, speakers, authors and any ambitious business owner. Food included.

Enter AISLING in the coupon box to join us for the 2 days for an INCREDIBLE price.

March 6th and 7th 2025

WE Believe: Business Empowerment Experience & Networking Fundraiser- (my event!) Belfast City, Assembly Hall. This child-friendly event is for all business owners, community leaders and those who identify as mission and purpose-driven. This one focuses on personal growth, developing skills and having fun, great food and forming friendships for future business growth. Food included.

April 9th 2025

SocialMediaFest - Dublin, all business owners looking to improve their social media skills and network. Enter aisling in the coupon box for a cheeky discount.

If you’d like to dive deeper into these strategies, download my free guide on maximising opportunities and ROI at events, chat with me in my inbox or at any of these events!

Until next time,

Aislíng x

p.s. If you've got an amazing event coming up that you are going to or you are hosting, drop me a message I'd love to hear about it and see who I know who would be an ideal attendee for it! Let's get the right people, in the right rooms more consistently.