Be Prepared
When actively networking at live events, prepare a networking kit. Include essentials such as a professional name badge, extra business cards (physical and digital), antibacterial gel, a sewing kit, double-sided tape, and safety pins. Organize these into your networking toolkit.
Eat Before Attending
Having a meal before the event helps you focus on the reason you are at the event instead of an empty stomach. It also keeps your right hand free for handshaking and prevents messy conversations.
Dress for Success
Choose clothes that are clean, pressed, and fit well. A blazer or jacket offers a professional look and can be worn over jeans, slacks or a dress. Jacket pockets are great for organizing business cards—right pocket for your own cards, left pocket for those you collect.
Master Proper Handshaking
A good handshake sets the tone for the entire interaction. Approach with confidence, extend your hand, maintain a firm grip, and smile while maintaining eye contact.
The Power of a Professional Name Tag
A professional name tag exudes confidence and competence. Avoid paper tags that you write your name on because they can ruin your clothes. I’ve damaged a few beautiful blouses in the early years because of those tags!
Order a tag with a magnetic back instead of a pin which puts holes in your clothes.
Also consider a unique touch; for example, mine is framed in rhinestones and has drawn attention from across the room!
Name Tag Placement
Place your name tag on the right side of your body just under your right shoulder. Why the right side? It’s the same side as your handshaking hand which allows the person you connect with to easily read your tag. This avoids the person you are interacting with needing to look for the tag across your body.
Arrive Early
Arriving early allows you to take a few moments in your car to breathe and get grounded after your drive. It also allows you to get comfortable in the venue and if possible review the attendee list.
Making Connections During In-Person Events
Understand What Networking is All About
Networking is about creating powerful relationships—not selling. Focus on building trust and rapport first. Ask open-ended questions to discover the other person’s needs and interests. People buy from and partner with those they know, like, and trust.
Become an Ambassador
As you meet people ask who they are looking to meet at the event. This creates a bridging opportunity for you to make referrals and introduce people whenever possible. Listen for keywords that help you create connections. This positions you as the go-to person in your network, enhances your influence and makes you memorable!
Focus on Positive Communication
People prefer to do business with those they know, like and trust. Keep conversations positive and avoid negative language, religion and politics. Concentrate on how you can help others.
Mix and Mingle
When attending an event with friends, avoid hanging out with them until after the event. Spread out, engage, and meet new people—that’s what networking is all about! There was one event where a group went straight to the bar and stayed there. I overheard them complaining, as they were walking out of the event, that they didn’t meet anyone. Ah, hello? Of course they didn’t! They were glued to their little group at the bar.
Be Mindful of Alcohol Consumption
Nurturing one drink throughout the event keeps you grounded and centered. Becoming tipsy can give a negative impression. It’s not something you want to be remembered for!
Listen Actively
Active listening is crucial to the know, like and trust factor. Ask open ended questions and show sincere interest in the other person. In a noisy environment. If you want to keep speaking with your new connection, find a quieter place or exchange business cards and plan to follow up.
After the Event
Follow Up
This is the most important step in the networking funnel and the one that is the most ignored. Without follow-up, networking efforts fall flat. Use a business card scanner or keep digital records of business cards.
Send a “Nice to Meet You” message soon after the event.
Follow this with a call or email to arrange a meeting. Online tools such as zoom simplify connecting if an in-person meeting isn’t possible.
