Networking again - fear or excitement?

This week I’ve been to a property event with over 200 people!?Not having attended any events for over 18months it was quite a shock but also exciting too.?

Now, I’m a natural networker and tend to enjoy events, but with such a gap I was surprised how overwhelming it was!

So I thought I’d share some top tips of how to make the most of networking as an investor.?To feel confident and to get the most out of the events you attend.

It’s such an important thing to do for investors at all stages.?Meeting people, learning about other people’s experience, stages of investing, expert skills, finding people you can meet with again.?With great learning from presenters at the event too, there can be huge value from a very small cost.?Most of my experts in my power team, and people who have helped me along the way, have come from this type of face to face networking.

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Some of the most important things to do when networking:

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Preparation

????????????????Check out the organisation in social media

????????????????Post that you will be attending and where you are from/ experience/ who looking to connect with , eg I’m investing in buy to lets for families in slough; I’m just starting out and deciding on my investing area

????????????????Check travel and location and contingency so you’re not arriving late and flustered

????????????????Connect with the hosts and presenters in advance?- LinkedIn ideally

????????????????Make sure you have business cards or a QR code on your mobile

????????????????Practice your 2 min introduction so it trips off the tongue (who are you, where are you from, what do you do in property)

????????????????If the event has a chance to stand up and introduce yourself to the room - think carefully what you are looking for or how you can help others (don’t feel you have to do this just listen and observe)

????????????????Allow extra time in case the meeting over- runs or you want to chat to others afterwards

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Arrival and networking before being seated

????????????????Arrive early and get a drink/ familiarise yourself with where the registration is and where the meeting room is.?You could even place a jacket over a seat so you’re not fighting to find it

????????????????Start chatting to people and asking them where they are from and what they do etc.?

????????????????Relax and enjoy finding out what others do. Listen, listen and listen, avoid talking too much about yourself.

????????????????There are often people who can bore you, and talk too much.?Don’t be one of those find a reason to move to someone else

In the room

????????????????If there’s a lot of people it can be overwhelming.?Sit towards the back so you have a view of the room and relax.?Often there are others who feel the same.?

????????????????Make notes from presentations on a pad or phone.?Take pictures of contact details of presenter on your phone so its easy to find later

????????????????If audience are invited to stand and introduce themselves make a note of those you think you’d like to talk to

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After the event

????????????????There might be networking in the bar after or just in the room

????????????????If you haven’t got to rush off after, then people are usually more relaxed at that point.

????????????????Find those you wanted to connect with and at least say hello and share your contact details.

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Follow up

????????????????Make time to sit down and connect with those you met on social media/LinkedIn

????????????????Email those you’d like to follow up with and see if you can arrange to talk - a virtual coffee perhaps

????????????????Pick up the lessons learned and book in for the next event.?It’s only by consistently being at the same meeting that you get known and get to know others.

I’m writing this the day after the event I attended and I laughed at myself as I’ve actually nearly lost my voice!?So much talking in one evening!

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Don’t forget that we are all different.?Depending on your Wealth Dynamics you will find this super natural or impossibly difficult (I have a module of this topic?- if you’re not a full programme member and would?like to see it email me).

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Do message me back about what you struggle with and I’d be happy to help.?

What scares you and why??

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The next Ask The Expert panel is coming up on 6th Dec https://www.propertyinvestingfoundation.com/property-expert-panel-bronwen-vearncombe/

and until then if you’ve not watched my free training here’s the link https://membership.propertyinvestingfoundation.com/webinar