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| I do not own the rights to this photo |
First things first, you've got to identify your kryptonite honey! Figuring out exactly what makes you cringe about networking is the key to being totally bomb at it! If you're shy or an introvert, get on social media, follow the organizers of the event and engage! You've just done a soft introduction and you've already got one or two people familiar with your name when you arrive. If you're afraid of rejection, think of it this way, it's only a place to meet people. You're not asking for a small business loan, turning in applications for your dream job, or asking someone to publish your book, so relax! If you're the over-analyzer (raises hand), then make a list of the questions to ask. Getting everything down on paper helps unclog your mind and gives you something to work towards instead of building anxiety. While you have your pen and paper out, make a short list of goals for the event; you've got to know what you're there to do. The idea is to put your weakness to work in your favor. Lastly, draw your focus away from expectations by creating a list of things you have to offer. Surely, you didn't think you were the only person in need of something did you? So here it is again real quick:
The Run Down
1. Identify your kryptonite; make it a strength
2. Get on social media, follow the event organizers; engage!
3. Make a list of questions
4. Make a list of G O A L S
5. Make list of what you have to offer
The Execution
It's the day of the event, you're dressed to impress, you've got your business cards ready to go, your questions are written down and your pen and note pad are tucked away in your clutch! Ready, set, go!
Yes, by all means visit the bar. Whether you drink or not, wherever there are drinks, there are also people; so get a good spot and go for it! Don't feel pressured to drink, if it's not your thing it's not your thing. However for people that even just drink socially, the bar is usually a neutral area. Besides, there's probably someone over there that's just as nervous as you, they've just been waiting to see a friendly smile. Remember, just relax. You don't have to jump right into grilling them; you're there to make actual connections, whether they have something to offer you, vice versa or not at all.
Listen then speak. Your goal is to treat each person you encounter as if they were already your friend. Networking is not about just gaining valuable contacts but instead it's about creating real relationships that can eventually become valuable in building your business; you need to find value that you can bring to their business as well. Your job is to listen with purpose; not just listen to respond! Seriously take in what this person is sharing with you even if it initially has nothing to do with work because you need to be able to engage effectively.
Icebreakers. If there are icebreaker activities, or even a Q&A, your job is to participate! Instead of having to go around to each person individually, introduce yourself to the crowd and get it out of the way already so when you make your rounds, people are already familiar with and know what you do already. Participating in event activities makes you visible.
Take notes. LITERALLY! You may need to takes some notes, there may be a speaker giving important information to questions you may not even know you have yet. Always be prepared!
Do not work the room. Don't spread yourself too thin girlfriend! Working the room comes across as a bit too over zealous and as if you don't know what you want. Be more specific and intentional with your interactions. You can't make meaningful and lasting connections when you're jumping from conversation to conversation. Consider each individuals network and think, "Is this in line with what I'm doing now or what I plan to do?"
Sharing is caring. It's totally ok to ask for and exchange social media handles, take some event pictures together or pass out some business cards but what else does the conversation consist of? You've got to be transparent when you're trying to form relationships and it doesn't have to be weird. Share what you're working on, share what your hopes are for an upcoming project! Being transparent opens you up to someone meeting a need of yours and all you did was have a conversation! This also goes for sharing your own contacts and resources. You're not the only person there in need of something. Give give give, then ask!
It's the day of the event, you're dressed to impress, you've got your business cards ready to go, your questions are written down and your pen and note pad are tucked away in your clutch! Ready, set, go!
Yes, by all means visit the bar. Whether you drink or not, wherever there are drinks, there are also people; so get a good spot and go for it! Don't feel pressured to drink, if it's not your thing it's not your thing. However for people that even just drink socially, the bar is usually a neutral area. Besides, there's probably someone over there that's just as nervous as you, they've just been waiting to see a friendly smile. Remember, just relax. You don't have to jump right into grilling them; you're there to make actual connections, whether they have something to offer you, vice versa or not at all.
Listen then speak. Your goal is to treat each person you encounter as if they were already your friend. Networking is not about just gaining valuable contacts but instead it's about creating real relationships that can eventually become valuable in building your business; you need to find value that you can bring to their business as well. Your job is to listen with purpose; not just listen to respond! Seriously take in what this person is sharing with you even if it initially has nothing to do with work because you need to be able to engage effectively.
Icebreakers. If there are icebreaker activities, or even a Q&A, your job is to participate! Instead of having to go around to each person individually, introduce yourself to the crowd and get it out of the way already so when you make your rounds, people are already familiar with and know what you do already. Participating in event activities makes you visible. Take notes. LITERALLY! You may need to takes some notes, there may be a speaker giving important information to questions you may not even know you have yet. Always be prepared!
Do not work the room. Don't spread yourself too thin girlfriend! Working the room comes across as a bit too over zealous and as if you don't know what you want. Be more specific and intentional with your interactions. You can't make meaningful and lasting connections when you're jumping from conversation to conversation. Consider each individuals network and think, "Is this in line with what I'm doing now or what I plan to do?"
Sharing is caring. It's totally ok to ask for and exchange social media handles, take some event pictures together or pass out some business cards but what else does the conversation consist of? You've got to be transparent when you're trying to form relationships and it doesn't have to be weird. Share what you're working on, share what your hopes are for an upcoming project! Being transparent opens you up to someone meeting a need of yours and all you did was have a conversation! This also goes for sharing your own contacts and resources. You're not the only person there in need of something. Give give give, then ask!
Be Yourself. Sometimes we can easily get caught up in being what we think other people need and or want to know. That happens in real life but especially at events such as these. Just be genuine! You are building real relationships that could benefit your business or career, why wouldn't you want to be your real self. If you don't, then you could spend the rest of the relationship attempting to live up to what you think they want and who they think you are....way too stressful honey!
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| Image by Charles Dante via (@BeautyByAfricaMiranda) Sip & Shop event |
This phase of networking is easily the most important phase of all. If you fail to follow up, then everything you've done was in vain. So what, you collected a lot of business cards! What are you going to do with them? Which of those, did you actually establish some form of relationship while you physically had their attention? What did they discuss with you about their business? Were you able to pinpoint a need within that person or their company? Were you even memorable to them? These are things you should consider when you're sifting through the flood of business cards. The next thing you need to think about is how you will follow up with them. Will it be by email or phone call, then will you eventually meet up to have a one on one, will you do a video chat to have a more in depth conversation? The options are endless. Your goal throughout this entire process is to leverage the power of that single connection into many different opportunities, not only for yourself, but for the other individual as well!
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| Image by Charles Dante via (@BeautyByAfricaMiranda) Sip & Shop event I really hope this was helpful to you! |
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