Networking events are a great way to drum up new leads, size up the competition, and connect with potential partners. Whether you think you have time for networking events or not, there are some great reasons you should make time.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be the most social person on the planet, there are ways to make the most out of networking events that will ensure all the effort is worth your while.
Here are a few tips to get you started on your next networking adventure:
1. Focus on events and people that matter
Especially if you need to travel to the event, make sure it’s going to be worth your time. Do some research beforehand and if you can, speak to others in your industry who have attended the event before and get their take on it. Some events tend to be more social while some are highly technical. Not that one is better than the other, but knowing what you’re walking into before you go is always a good place to start.
2. Arrive early
Many trade networking events only last a couple of hours. With potentially hundreds of people in the room, you stand to accomplish much less if you arrive late. Have a game plan in advance and be ready to hit the ground running to make the most of your time.
3. Have a plan
Make a list of the top companies and people you would like to connect with and make sure they are your first stops of the day. That way, if you get hung up chatting with colleagues your business will have already been handled.
4. Work on your elevator pitch
Everybody needs a good elevator pitch. This is the brief, concise summary of who you are and what you have to offer from a business standpoint. Shoot for no longer than 60 seconds, but aim for 30. Spend some time practicing before you let it fly.
5. Be prepared with business cards and other collateral
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a great pitch and suddenly realizing you don’t have a way to follow it up. Update your business cards, bring a good supply to get you through the day, and include any marketing material (not too voluminous) that you feel is important to share. Keep in mind that your website is good collateral, too. Don’t hand over more than you really need to in order to get your point across.
6. Follow up on your leads
Lastly, don’t forget to follow up! The reality is that if you don’t follow up right away, they may not even remember who you are. Stay organized, make note of who you spoke too, collect business cards, and spend the next couple of days chasing down the leads you’ve made.
Networking events are so important in today’s small business environment – especially in areas where your best customers don’t simply walk in the door on any given day. Do you have any networking tips you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them!
Fusion Workspaces is a network of flexible office solutions and executive suites dedicated to supporting the needs of today’s businesses. With locations in Texas, Maryland, Florida, Tennessee, and California, we’d love to find out how we can help you. Call today to find out more.