Hi harmony hustlers, do you ever find yourself at a networking event, feeling a bit like a fish out of water?
You’re not alone! Networking can be daunting, but fear not – I’ve got some game-changing tips to help you not just survive, but thrive in these situations.
Whether you’re a seasoned networker or just dipping your toes into the pool, mastering the art of networking can take your career to new heights.
Ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters?”
I used to rigorously challenge this notion as a young teen starting out in University, however the older I get the more I realise how valuable this advice is. You’d be surprised what a good connection can offer you, and vice versa.
So, grab your favourite beverage, pull up a chair, and let’s dive into five proven strategies to unlock the full potential of your professional network and make a lasting impression. Ready? Let’s do this!
The challenges of networking
When you attend a networking event, do you hide in a corner of the room and wait for someone to approach you? When they do, do you freeze and forget the most basic of things, like maybe, your NAME? If so, you’re not alone. Networking can be daunting for most people, even if they appear to have mastered the skill.
However the trouble with being ‘bad’ at networking is that it keeps you from building strong connections and progressing within your field.
In order to avoid limiting your job opportunities, collaborations, and possible partnerships, learning the skill of networking is key. Without this skill, you may miss out on career advancements and business growth opportunities.
What is networking and what is the purpose of networking event?
Networking is the process of building and nurturing professional relationships. It involves connecting with others in your industry or related fields to share information, resources, and support.
The purpose of a networking event is to provide a structured environment where you can:
- Meet new contacts and expand your professional network.
- Exchange information and share knowledge, ideas and experiences.
- Identify opportunities, in particular potential job opportunities, partnerships and collaborations.
- Strengthen relationships with existing connections and build deeper relationships.
- Increase visibility and raise your profile within your industry/ community.
So how can we make the above happen? How can we successfully network at a networking event?
How to impress at your next (and all future) networking event(s)
- Prepare and research
- Dress Appropriately
- Engage actively and listen
- Offer Value
- Follow up
1. Prepare and Research ahead of the networking event
The first rule of networking is ‘know your attendees’.
This is a crucial starting point. If you go in blindly, not knowing who anyone is, or what their background is, you may inadvertently cause offence.
Imagine attending a movie premiere where Brad Pitt is present, and you ask him what he does for a living because you have no idea who he is, despite him being the lead actor in the film. Awkward, right?
1. Research
To avoid such horrors, be sure to research who will be in attendance and identify key individuals you want to meet. Understanding the attendees’ backgrounds, company, and recent projects can provide great conversation starters.
If you do not have any information on who will be attending the networking event, check your invitation or the flyer for the event. If you have no luck finding the information you require, do not hesitate to contact the host for further information.
2. Prepare
Now that you’ve got the research out of the way, make sure to prepare your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a concise and compelling pitch about who you are, what you do and what you’re looking for. (I will be posting a ‘How to write the perfect elevator pitch’ in the future- keep your eyes peeled for it).
Once you’ve jotted down your pitch, practice saying it out loud, until it feels natural. The last thing you want is to sound as though you’re reading off a script.
2. Dress Appropriately
It’s always best to dress in a professional and appropriate attire for any networking event . Your dress sense is a fundamental aspect of presenting yourself appropriately and professionally and so it should not be overlooked.
The right outfit can boost your confidence and can significantly influence first impressions.
Be sure to know the dress code for the event. If you’re going to be in a room full of lawyers, it’s probably best to wear formal attire i.e. a suit, dress etc. If however you’re at a networking event with creatives, you may opt for a more casual attire.
3. Engage Actively and Listen
Have you ever attended an event where someone has introduced themselves and you later realise you were too busy in your stream of thoughts (usually focused on how to present yourself) that you failed to pay attention? Yeh, maybe don’t do that.
a. Remember names
Remembering someone’s name at a networking event is important because it demonstrates that you value and respect the person, and it makes them feel important and acknowledged. It’ll be sure to win you some respect during the conversation.
When engaged in conversation using someone’s name it helps create a personal connection and encourages rapport. It ultimately leaves a positive impression, showing you are attentive and considerate.
Once the interaction is over, it helps you remember the person and the details of your conversation for future interactions.
b. Ask Open -ended questions
Show genuine interest in others by asking questions that encourage them to share about themselves.
Questions like “What projects are you currently working on?” can open up meaningful dialogue. Or alternatively if they mentioned something about themselves, and moved on quickly for example “I published a book a few years ago, however now I’m focusing on xyz.” You could say “you published a book?” What is it about?” This will give the other person an opportunity to talk about something that matters to them, and will demonstrate that you’re interested in what they are saying.
This leads me onto the next tip ‘active listening.’
c. Active listening
It is important to actively listen to people during a networking event since it builds real ties and shows that you respect and are interested in them.
It also makes it easier for you to comprehend the needs, passions, and viewpoints of the people you are interacting with, which promotes deeper and more fruitful exchanges.
Active listening involves asking relevant questions to show you’re interested and paying attention, nodding and smiling to indicate you understand, and maintaining eye contact to stay engaged with the speaker.
It also entails not interrupting the speaker so they may finish their point without being cut off, and when you summarise or rephrase what they’ve said, it shows you’re paying attention.
4. Offer Value
A misconception about a networking event can often be that the sole purpose of your attendance is to meet people who could benefit you. However this is not the case.
Instead of going in thinking about what you can gain from the event focus on what you can offer. Sharing your knowledge makes you appear more authentic and can help create a more successful mutual exchange of ideas and collaborations.
Have a think about how you can help the people you meet (this should form part of your preparation exercise, discussed above).
The type of help you can offer can vary from providing a unique insight, to making an introduction. It does not need to be a grand gesture, just something that can add value to your exchange with another person.
Don’t be afraid to share your expertise and insights since this positions you as a knowledgeable and valuable contact.
5. Follow up
It’s always a good idea to exchange business cards, social media handles or email addresses- whatever seems appropriate.
Personally, when I’m given someone’s contact details, I always make a note of any specific talking points from our conversation. For example, ‘Ben the CEO of XYZ who ran a marathon in Marrakech’. This makes it easier to recall the person I engaged in conversation with and to follow up. Referencing something specific when following up helps build rapport and reminds the other person of who you are.
When you do follow up, make sure you personalise your message and send it within 24-48 hours after the event. Anything longer and you may risk them forgetting who you are. A host for example will have met lots and lots of people, and it may not be so easy for them to remember you. The sooner you get in touch, the more likely it is that they will recall who you are.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to leave a lasting impression and build meaningful connections at any networking event.
You’re all set to be an expert at your next networking event
Networking can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. By preparing and doing your homework, dressing the part, engaging with genuine interest, offering value, and following up with a personal touch, you’ll not only survive networking events, but thrive in them.
By applying the advice from this blog post, you will see some fantastic changes in your professional life. You’ll discover new job opportunities, feel more self-assured in networking situations, and build strong relationships with peers and mentors who can support your career journey.
With a solid network, you’ll find yourself advancing faster in your career, continuously learning, and staying ahead of industry trends.
Networking isn’t just about making connections; it’s about taking control of your career path and opening doors to endless possibilities.
Remember, every conversation is a step toward building your professional future.
So, take a deep breath, smile, and dive in. You never know who you might meet or where those connections might lead.
Happy networking! You’ve got this!