Maximize Your Time at a Networking Event

I found the great Business Time article on networking tips

How can you maximize your time at a networking event? Follow these five steps and see where they lead.

1)     Know who you don’t know, but want to. Analyze your relationship map. Is there a specific person or type of person you need to meet?  Maybe an industry expert who knows about selling into the Fortune 100?  Or the head of procurement at a key prospect in your pipeline?

2)     Do your homework.  There is no shortage of networking events, and they come in multiple flavors: by industry, specifically for entrepreneurs, women-only. Which networking event is right for you?  Do a little background research and see if any of the people you want to meet are speaking at local events.

3)     Know your story and your audience.  Now that you know where you are going and who you want to meet, get your talking points together. Don’t be too practiced, though. Different people will respond to different things.  What business are they in? What role do they have?  What are they hoping to achieve?

4)     Know your ask, and don’t be shy When you hang out with wildly successful people, you will find that they tend to be pretty vocal about they want and they are not afraid to ask for help.  Asking for someone’s advice about a topic they know well is a great way to get a conversation started and bonds formed.  It’s pretty cool to have your ask turn into a successful person’s thoughtful input on what they would do if they were in your shoes.  That person you are talking to becomes engaged in your success.

5)     Do what you say you will do.  You are done. You went to the event, worked the room because you had a plan, and you executed on that plan.  Sure, you were a little nervous before every new encounter, but it got easier as the night progressed.  Now, it’s time to act.  Take up your new connection’s offer to help.  People attend events because they are social opportunities to meet new business connections, share their platform, and learn new things.  The rules of dating do not apply. Don’t wait; follow-up promptly.  Be persistent while also being respectful of your new connection’s time.

Edil Ortega
Kingdom Life