How Do You Make Better Connections at a Networking Event?
Everyone wants to make connections when in a networking situation, but it can be daunting to go into a room and try to connect with people. Luckily, there are some tactics you can use to leave a networking event having made some awesome, lasting, and quality connections.
Here are some tips to help you navigate your next networking opportunity and shine!
1. Set an intention
What do you want to get out of the event? How many people do you want to talk to and why? Have goals and keep them in mind.
2. Breathe
Take a deep breath and feel with direction or person in the room you should go talk to. When you get a feeling, don't second guess it, go for it. They may be your next ideal client or connection point.
3. Approach
I always compliment the person on something they are wearing or mention something about their elevator speech. I ask them a question about their products or services. Get people talking about them and their business. They will ask you about your business in the conversation, it's part of social etiquette. You just have to wait for it and then because you know about their business and needs, you can tailor your talk to be about them!
4. Listen!!!
I mean truly listen to what they have to say. Don't be looking around the room for other prospects or planning your response in you head or thinking about how you will pitch them. Actively listen and your integrity and class will show up and create lasting impressions.
5. Take your time
Don't be in a hurry and rush through talking with a person. One great connection at an event, is far better then 15 people you half talked to, but don't really get to know.
6. Don't dominate the conversation.
It should always be 70%- 30%. You let them talk 70% of the time. They will feel heard, seen and respected. Now you have built a relationship with them and you might be able to refer each other, if nothing else. Win-win.
When you are at a networking event, what are your go to tactics?
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Comments (1-9)
I congratulate you on hitting all of the points to consider. One point I would add is to NOT try to run around collecting business cards in the hopes of striking up a relationship after the event. What always happens (nearly always) is that those cards will end up on the pile of other cards "you're going to get to." Focus on spending quality with two or possibly three people.
Another thing, learn your statement of purpose (elevator pitch) so that when someone asks what you do you don't go off in a confusing, untraceable story. I'm sure that has happened to you. Somebody tries to explain it by telling a jumbled up story and in the end you can't figure out what they do anyway. Sometimes you even want to slit your wrists for even asking.
As soon as you leave the event take a moment to jot down notes on those you spoke with. It's amazing how fleeting the memories can be just a day later.
I love this advice, networking can be difficult. Listening to others will certainly leave a lasting impression. It is often forgotten that relationships are 2 sided, if we only go with the intention to talk about ourselves we can turn others off.
Good advice! Listening is indeed critical, and it must be without dividing your attention. It can be tempting to try to end a less fruitful discussion for that next prospect hovering to speak to you. Just take each conversation as they come. I agree with the advice above, you'll almost always be asked about your business in the course of the conversation.
Great key points. I'd also like to add to those points in terms of being confident as-well-as being yourself. When interacting with people in general, it is important to show your confidence level. This will help to gain the trust of the individual(s) you are speaking with especially when you want to do business. Other business owners/executives like to know that you are sure about the service and/or product you are trying to offer them. Otherwise, if you are not confident in your business or yourself, then neither will they be.
Moreover, it is also important to simply be yourself. Everyone often put on display their best acting character to be impressive to another individual. When you are relaxed and yourself, it makes a greater difference in being more connected to those you are interacting with; thus, allowing the other person to see how relatable and ordinary you are although you are a professional.
Really good suggestions. I'd add to the first one (Set an intention), your intention shouldn't be SELL, SELL, SELL. As soon as you do that, it really turns a lot of people off even though there might be a chance at another valuable relationship. Partnering on content, bundled service offering, lessons learned from similar industry pain points, you name it!
You made this point splendidly by titling it "How to make better connections at networking events" because that can be exactly what those events are for!
Thanks for sharing this. Very good points!
From my perspective if you are networking with those whom you are acquainted with, find out something new about them, if those you are meeting for the first time encounter you might even want to listen More.
Great advice
What is a good answer when you're networking and you are "in between jobs" meaning, you're unemployed. Do we say we're unemployed, looking, or? What's a good way to answer this question? I'm not unemployed but I have friends who are and are looking for work.