Attending a networking event is an effective way to connect with fellow businesses, learn about industry developments and your competition all whilst potentially gaining new customers. Many individuals attend networking events, but how do you truly get the most out of your experience and how can you maximise your time and efforts. Here are a few tips which will help you gain the most out of your time spent.
Set Targets
Firstly, before you attend the event you should set yourself some targets. What are you aiming to gain? Is your intention to build more industry connections, are you looking for advice in a specific area? Once you understand what relationships you are looking to make you can forge forwards to building creative leads and productive partnerships.
Make the conversation stand out and personal
Once at an event and meeting new business contacts you want to be able to make your story stand out in a favourable manner. Provide people with a creative narrative and concept and show them how you have the ability to help them in the future. Asking questions is imperative. The person who is asking holds the power, you can build a rapport and a personal connection. This could lead to potential business partnerships, investment or even new leads helping provide you with a solution.
But remember one of the most important elements is to not over sell yourself! As much as it’s essential to ask questions and learn about an individual, it’s paramount you build relationships. One of the main aspects which will help this is to remember it not all about you. Listen to others so you gain an understanding of what other individuals are looking for. You never know, you may be able to provide them with an answer to their problem. Through interacting with others you may be able to recognise that one person could provide a solution for another helping to build on the success of the event.
Keep in contact
How often have you left a networking event with someone saying, “I’ll be in touch” and not had it follow through? It’s important that in the 48 hours after a networking event, whilst the engagement is fresh in both your minds you touch base with the contacts you met, this could be a quick email or phone call. A creative way to personalise your message is to quote part of your conversation you’ve had, this will make it relevant to you and will show that you were fully engaged and the conversation had a long-lasting impression on you.
