02 May Networking at Conferences and Events
It’s conference season—an opportunity to update your skills and to network with colleagues in your industry and beyond. Networking at conferences is an important skill that helps you create essential connections. Quality networking can lead to new clients, vendor connections, job opportunities, and more. Here are some tips for successful networking at conferences and events.
Keep an open mind and cast a wide net.
You don’t always know what connections will lead to future opportunities or how they will pan out. Forming a wide network of professional relationships will bring more opportunities your way. Create a strong network by connecting with a variety of professionals from entry level to the C-suite, from potential clients to vendors and everything in between.
Form a genuine connection to build authentic relationships.
Be friendly and open when meeting new people. Make eye contact, actively listen to what they have to say, and ask meaningful follow up questions. Try to find a personal point of connection, such as a mutual colleague, shared interest, or similar professional goals. Referencing this connection point in the future will help you stand out in their mind and build off of the initial interaction.
Show your value.
Networking is about forming mutually beneficial relationships, so it’s important to demonstrate what value you bring to the table. Share your expertise, introduce people within your network, or offer assistance where applicable. Prepare a clear and concise elevator pitch about who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for, to help communicate why you are a valuable connection. When you give, others will want to give back, creating a reciprocal relationship that benefits you both.
Follow up and stay in touch.
Building relationships takes time. After meeting someone at an event, send a follow-up email thanking them for their time and reiterating important details from your initial conversation. Keep the message brief, pleasant, and direct. Don’t forget to make clear what next steps you are looking for from them such as job opportunities, industry connections, or to set up a follow-up call or meet for coffee.
Networking is a continuous practice that is important at every stage of a successful career. Fostering these relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities for both your business and personal growth. Just remember, it all starts with a single introduction.
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