Are you prepared for your networking this week?

It's Monday, it's 8am and it's........

Ok, so most of you are too young to shout "Crackerjack" at that (and I think that was on Friday afternoons, not very early Monday mornings in any case). But how about putting some preparation into your networking this week?

Something I wrote previously was that everything in networking is about what you do after the event, but actually, to be more accurate, a lot of your success in networking comes from what we do before the event too.

Networking can easily be seen as a play in three acts, our preparation, what we do during the event and our follow up. Let's think about Act 1 in this article.

Firstly, you will probably be asked to give a 60 or 40 second introduction, make sure you have it prepared, it is far too important to just wing it. I have some templates which I use with my clients, and I put one of them out, for free, on Instagram a few days ago, along with notes on what to say. You can get it right here - https://www.instagram.com/p/COiG9E0FFVB/

Prepare and practise your introduction. Rehearse it to an empty room if necessary. Crucially, time yourself using the timer app on your 'phone. If the organiser says 40 or 60 seconds, stick to it. It is significantly better to finish within time than to be cut off, or try to rush the last ten seconds. You won't bore people into buying, you only need to give them enough that they want to find out more, not chapter and verse about your business crammed into one minute.

Next, do you know the timings and format? If not, contact the organiser and find out. Make sure you have time in your diary to be there ten minutes early, and allow leeway of half an hour afterwards, just in case the event runs over. And if it finishes on time, you can use that time to do your follow up messages.

Practically, what you need will depend on whether your networking is virtual, or face to face.

For virtual networking events, make sure you've a decent enough webcam, that your lighting is good, so that people can see your face, and what else people can see on camera isn't too distracting. I work from home, I have never bothered disguising that with a Zoom background, but as people can see a section of my sitting room, I make sure it isn't too untidy or distracting. Zoom networking can be distracting enough in any case. But importantly, think about what people can see, which includes you!

Have a version of your 40 or 60 second networking introduction written out, ready to copy and paste into the chat box if that is part of the format of your meetings. So often I see people deliver their introduction, and then miss the next couple as they're frantically typing. Have it typed out, so that all you ned to do is copy and paste. Remember, people haven't got time to read War & Peace during the event, but those people who were interested in your introduction may want easy access to your contact details, so make it easy for them.

Also, my killer app for virtual networking is a notepad and pen next to my keyboard. So I can write down the names of the people I want to 'meet' afterwards, to make sure I remember them. I use tech for pretty much everything apart from this, for some reason, a notepad and pen just 'works' better.

For real life networking, are you comfortable with what you're wearing? I've long since given up sticking to any dress code, or even attending events where there is one, but you have to be comfortable. This will be different for everyone, culturally and practically. But if what you're wearing is leaving you feel less than confident, then think about wearing something different. I'm comfortable in what I wear, but a younger version of me was mortified at being underdressed at events, so do what's right for you.

If you need to travel then please leave enough time in your diary so you aren't the one rushing in late or having to dash off early. I put my travelling time in my diary as an appointment, using Google Maps to help me calculate it.

Practically, have you got business cards, and enough to give out to the people that will be there? Any other promotional literature you might want to give out or leave on the bumf table? And somewhere to make notes so that you remember the conversations you had and who you need to follow up with.

My mindset is the other thing I actively prepare for networking events. I set the bar very low for the events I attend. I'm not there to make sales, just start conversations. I don't set myself targets or goals for the event, as everyone else there will have their own goal. Over the years I have found it far more effective to see who is there, chat to them, and start a relationship which can be continued afterwards.

You can spot multiple excuses to keep conversations going after the event. Anyone you chatted with can receive a polite message from you, you can send a message to the speaker to tell them what you found interesting about their presentation, you can thank the organisers for inviting you along. In the world of sales we constantly look for how to start conversations with people, and a networking event gives you so many conversation starters. Take notes, remember what you talked about with people. Then you'll be able to start multiple and meaningful conversations after the event.

And finally, on your way into the event. Smile. Nobody wants to do business with someone who has a face like a slapped arse (an English expression, I don't know if it translates but I think you get the gist). So remember to smile and be ready for those little conversations to start.