News / By Fire Up / 30th August 2024
In-person networking is essential for the growth and success of businesses, offering a chance for the local business community to connect. Now is the perfect time to seize this opportunity. With some preparation and a few strategies, you can make the most of these events. Let’s explore them together.
Participating in meet-and-greet events is a fantastic way to broaden your network. With so much time spent on virtual meetings, we might be more adept at setting up WiFi networks than forming personal connections.
As society reopens, in-person networking remains vital for business success and community engagement, leading to a surge in networking events around the region. This is your chance to get involved. With some preparation and a few tricks, you can excel at networking. Let’s dive into how to get started.
Preparation Begins Before the Event
Announce Your Attendance- Planning to attend a networking event? Share your plans on social media to see if others might want to join you. This approach helps you anticipate the event dynamics and identify potential connections. If someone catches your interest, send them a message or comment to arrange a meetup at the event, creating a warmer introduction as they already know a bit about you.
Craft Your Elevator Pitch- To make a strong impression and stand out, prepare and practice a brief speech that highlights your product or service. At networking events, you often have only a minute to introduce yourself, so make it count. Clearly convey who you are, what you do, the problem you solve, and how others can connect with you to continue the conversation. A concise, impactful pitch maximises your networking potential.
Bring a Colleague- Having a familiar face in the crowd can make networking less intimidating. Consider bringing a colleague along. Just be sure not to stay glued together; you want to meet new people, and your next big opportunity could be right around the corner!
Breaking the Ice
Engage with New People- Networking events can feel overwhelming, especially when surrounded by strangers. It’s tempting to stick with familiar faces, but that defeats the purpose of attending. Push yourself to step out of your comfort zone and approach new people to expand your network.
Start Conversations Smoothly- Initiating a conversation can be challenging, particularly with a cold start. Avoid diving straight into your pitch. Instead, comment on the event or venue or ask why they decided to attend. This approach provides a natural way to ease into a conversation based on their response.
Listen Actively and Ask Questions- Effective conversation is a two-way street. It’s important to listen attentively and ask relevant questions to keep the dialogue flowing. Give open-ended responses that encourage your counterpart to share more. Remember, networking is about mutual discovery, so avoid controlling the conversation.
Make Connections- Always aim to exchange contact information with those you meet. This is key to expanding your network and could lead to future business opportunities or collaborations. LinkedIn is an excellent, eco-friendly way to maintain these new connections. With the LinkedIn app, you can quickly connect by scanning QR codes, keeping your professional network up-to-date.
3 Simple Steps to Connect Using the LinkedIn App:
- Open your LinkedIn app.
- Tap the search bar at the top, where you’ll see a QR code icon on the right.
- Click on your unique QR code to start connecting.
Exit Conversations Gracefully- To make the most of your time at a networking event, don’t hesitate to politely exit a conversation once you’ve established common ground or agreed on a follow-up. The goal of networking is to build relationships that extend beyond the event itself.
Stay Calm and Relaxed- Remember, everyone at the event is there to expand their network, just like you. There’s no need to be nervous or feel like it’s a competition. Stay calm, enjoy the conversations, and focus on making genuine connections. It’s an opportunity to meet new friends and potential business partners!
We hope to see you at our next networking event BGH Match X Rochdale Book Here: Business Growth Hub | BGH Match – Rochdale