Know Top 10 Pointers to Help You Get Around Your First Networking Event in 2024
It can be intimidating to attend your first networking event. You should not only project a sense of serenity and assurance, but you should also pay attention to proper etiquette and make sure that attending the event is an efficient use of your time.
Here are some pointers on networking to get you started.
Before:
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Prepare Your Look
Making a positive first impression is essential for effective networking, so dress correctly.
Typically, business casual attire that is stylish and well-fitting but not overly formal is the best choice for networking meetings.
It’s a good idea to dress comfortably, or even better, to wear something that makes you feel confident.
Your conversations will reflect how constrained or uncomfortable you feel as a result of what you’re wearing.
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Purchase business cards
Even though it could seem like one of the most simple networking advice, a lot of people show up unprepared.
Your goal should be to make a good first impression that sticks with individuals in the hopes that it will lead to future chances.
A business card serves as a physical memory of your meeting in addition to displaying your contact information.
Take a lot of them, and distribute them to everyone you meet.
Additionally, make certain that you are ready to accept business cards.
Have a special spot for them in your attire, such as a pocket or compartment within your wallet or pocketbook. You might think about spending money on a mobile scanning app that enables you to scan and save data directly to your phone.
To better integrate with the mobile digital environment, you might think about including a QR code on your business card that links to your personal professional website.
A business card is still useful even if you do not feel like an experienced professional or are not currently employed. Anyone may construct a design that piques the curiosity of potential connections with a little creativity.
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Plan ahead
Being prepared is among the most important networking fundamentals.
Do your homework to comprehend the event’s structure and primary goals. Use this to make a list of the objectives you have for your trip, such as making a certain number of new connections or learning more about industry trends.
A list of guests will frequently be available before an event. When this is the case, carefully review the list and make a note of the persons you want to speak with.
If there is a certain person you believe may hold the key to one of your short- or long-term career goals, do more research on them so you can prepare a conversation starter that will capture their interest.
During:
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Being yourself
Thinking that acting fake will be more advantageous than being authentic is one of the biggest blunders you can make during a networking event.
Remember that the goal of networking is to establish connection with others; if you fake it, any relationship you do establish will be phoney and fleeting.
Business networking veterans can see a fake at a mile away, and they won’t think highly of you for it.
Try to unwind and show the greatest version of yourself that you can. This increases your likelihood of connecting with people in significant ways.
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Have a few conversation starters at the ready
Even though the art of business small chat can be challenging to perfect, networking events require it of you.
Your first event will be a learning experience, and it’s possible that your talents won’t yet be at the same level as those of others.
Prepare a few conversation starters you may pull out as necessary to prevent any awkward pauses.
These don’t need to be novel inquiries. Asking someone about their business or position within it could be enough.
You might bring up this subject as the first point of conversation if the event included a presentation or seminar.
Of course, coming up with something particularly interesting to talk about is fantastic, but bear in mind that this will depend on the kind of people you will be interacting with.
If you initially feel a little unsteady, don’t be alarmed; that is typical. You get better at business small talk the more you do it.
- Be Mindful of Others
At networking gatherings, it’s also normal to dominate a discussion while avoiding eye contact with the person you’re speaking to.
We are all capable of occasionally getting carried away with the sound of our own voices, but when networking, it’s critical to use your communication talents to their fullest potential by encouraging a two-way conversation.
Pay attention, elicit information, and express interest in what people are saying. After all, your goal in being here is to create relationships, and that can only be done by being attentive and really curious.
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Create Notes
At your first networking event, you’ll probably meet a lot of new people, and while business cards can help you remember names, firms, and job titles, they won’t detail the specifics of what you said to each other.
Find a quiet area and take some time to make any notes that can help you move a relationship forward. For easy reference, it is best to bullet highlight the main points on the back of the pertinent business card.
If not, bring a classy notepad and make sure to correctly connect the names and topics discussed. Your recollection isn’t perfect.
This is crucial for maintaining your ties after the event. But watch that it doesn’t consume too much time. As your primary area of attention, continue working the room.
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Put Your Elevator Pitch to Use
Events for networking aren’t often lengthy affairs. They are fleeting, giving you only a tiny window of time to leave your mark.
In light of this, it’s crucial to plan, practise, and deliver your elevator pitch.
This is a vital tool for networking. You should be able to sell yourself with an interesting speech that lasts no longer than 60 seconds if someone asks what you do.
You can create an elevator pitch for both professional and personal goals. The idea is to present it such that it sounds natural and flows naturally as part of a conversation rather than sounding planned.
Practice on a few people before your networking event because this takes practise. Ask your friends and relatives for their honest opinions.
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Keep moving politely, but consistently
Attending a networking event and spending the entire time talking to one person defeats the purpose. When a conversation has reached its conclusion, you must recognise it and politely end it.
Even more challenging than starting a conversation in the first place, this is possibly the most challenging aspect of networking events.
Everyone is, however, on the same boat. You shouldn’t feel terrible about parting ways and approaching someone new because they are all there to meet new people.
As with most of our networking advice, this may feel odd at first, but with practise it will become natural.
After:
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Maintain Contact With Your New Contacts
The event is just the beginning of expanding your network. After it’s over, you need to maintain contact with any new contacts and strengthen the bonds you’ve made.
Sending follow-up emails is acceptable, especially if there was a specific topic left open for additional discussion, but you should also try to make connections on LinkedIn.
But refrain from making general requests. Add something pertinent from your meeting to each one to personalise it for the recipient.
Involve yourself in their posts if they accept your invitation, and make sure you continue to be active on your own profile. This will keep you on their minds, which is advantageous if a chance comes up later that matches your objectives.
Final Reflections
Whatever level of your job you’re in, networking events are great chances to broaden your contacts.
They provide a variety of advantages in addition to enhancing your confidence and professional communication abilities. These advantages range from new business or employment prospects to increased knowledge, new contacts, and even new friends.
You might not be naturally good at networking. It might even be your worst nightmare in some circumstances. However, after you get over your anxieties and start networking, you can find that you end up enjoying it.
This is especially true if you start seeing results and realise how valuable personal connections can be.
