How to work a networking event

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Networking can be tricky. Its time consuming, following up is usually forgotten about and no one wants to get sold on their first meeting. Do you?

But… our business was built on networking. In person. With face-to-face conversations. Its easier to care about someone’s business once you care about them. Many of our clients and vendors came about in networking groups. Its not always easy, but almost always worth it.

Here’s a top five tips to build your network in person and face-to-face.

Networking, not Promoting.

Going to an event and passing out business cards like its Halloween candy is promoting. And you’re the only one getting tricked. Going to a networking event with the intent of meeting interesting people who you can form an alliance with later on is networking.

A quick way to determine if you want this person in your networking alliance is ask yourself “Do I like them”. If not, maybe its time to move on. Business is hard enough without working with jerks. Find a like-minded person.

People care about people, not business cards

Give a prospect a reason to do business with you over your competitor. Offer to help a new contact in someway, either by introductions, advice or help on a project. Don’t expect to get paid at this point, but you can build your network. People are more likely to help someone who has already helped them. At least you’ll be remembered.

Then ask if you can give them your card. Pass out your cards as if they are worth $500 – only to a few individuals who you can work with. Then ask them, for their card – so you can followup with them later.

Show up early. Stay late.

Come early if you can. You can try to engage the organizers of the event – if they aren’t too busy.

You can network with other early birds before the busyness of the night starts.

Stay late and you might get to know a few others a little better than during the event. People usually let their guard down and are more open to meeting new people.

Be authentic

Find something in common with other networkers and networking will be easier and more fun. You should be yourself, you might turn some people away and attract others but its best to be authentic and you can meet someone at a personal level and followup later on.

Make sure to followup and soon as it makes sense. Perhaps you can meet over coffee or lunch? At the worst you got some coffee and at best you made a business contact and its even better if you made a new friend.

How to work a networking event

Networking, not Promoting.

People care about people, not business cards

Show up early. Stay late.

Be authentic

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