Select
Your Need
Getting the Most Bang from a Networking Event
Tips for Attending a Networking Event - Part 2
In Part I, we described how to plan and conduct a networking event. Your invited guests and their business associates have arrived and are enjoying an evening of meeting, greeting and networking. Since you are new to networking, you're not sure what to do next. Below are tips to help you network with your ideal client and become a "go to resource" for attendees. 24 Hour Secretary provides dictation, transcription, secretarial, marketing, and virtual administrative services for busy and often overwhelmed executives, entrepreneurs and their assistants.
- Decide in advance whom you want to meet. Define your ideal customer/contact. Be very specific and clear. Recognize the opportunity and help others bring opportunity to you. Your objective then becomes meeting individuals who can move you closer to your ideal client. When yo are in conversation with someone new, ask questions that will help you learn about what the other person is looking for, and then match his or her responses against what yo have to offer. Be prepared to tell your audio logo (elevator speech) in 30 seconds or less. What you do is not your job title but the solutions you offer.
- Practice listening. Pay attention to the other person's conversation. Do not interrupt. Listen to what they are saying and not saying. Listen for opportunity where both of you may benefit.
- Create a tag line for your name badge that will stimulate curiosity and conversation. For example, a coach may use - "Will coach for chocolate" as her tag line. Think of an interesting word or phrase that best describes what you do. My tag line is, "The 24 Hour Secretary, The 'I Needed It Yesterday' Company." Prospects usually respond with, "I wish I'd met you last week when I had this big job I spent all night working on." The conversation continues from that point and we discuss how we can mutually benefit from developing a relationship.
- Ask for help meeting people. If you don't know anyone, ask someone at the registration desk to suggest a member or attendee who can introduce you to your "ideal" prospects.
- Plan an opening statement or question to start a conversation. It cold be something as simple as, "Why did you come to this event tonight?" or, something totally unrated such as, "What's your favorite color?" Don't approach the person with a sales pitch or attempt to hog all their time. Remember, they want to mingle and meet potential clients, too.
- Bring your business cards! Be prepared. Have a ready stock in your pocket (right pocket for your cards and left for cards you receive). If a networker asks for your card and you reply, "I ran out" or "forgot them", it WILL leave a very bad impression. However, when yo meet people who are good prospects for your product or service, and they say they "just ran out" of cards, show them how you make it easy for people to work with you. Pass them your card with a pencil and ask them to fill out their contact information on the back. Make note on the back of the cards you collect to remind yourself later about the people that you've met and what you want to remember about them.
- Keep moving! Don't settle into one place with one person. Politely extricate yourself from a conversation, and then move to others in the room. Plan to meet up with your associates at the end of the event.
- Build your own network of relationships. Identify who you would like to be a part of your network, to refer business to, to partner with, and those who would increase your value to your customers. Then seek out those individuals or groups.
- Become memorable. Develop a follow-up system for keeping in touch with the people you meet and communicate with them on a regular basis. Send them tips or notes regarding information that may be of interest to them. (The information doesn't always have to be business-oriented. It could be an interesting article about a hobby or trend the person mentioned.) Before you know it, you will become a trusted source, business associate and become their "go-to" person.
You're on your way to developing relationships that may lead to future business. So, if yo are the "planner" or the "attendee" there's something for everyone at a networking event -- if you know how to get the most bang from attending.
Sharon Williams
©Sharon Williams All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Sharon Williams, MVA, PREVA, is president of The 24 Hour Secretary and provides administrative, secretarial, marketing and internet-based virtual support services for successful but sometimes overwhelmed executives and busy entrepreneurs. Subscribe to Smart Business = Success, the free monthly ezine stocked with business tips for the busy professional. Contact Sharon by email.
You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
Getting the Most Bang from a Networking Event
Tips for Attending a Networking Event - Part 2
If you feel that this article, has been helpful to you and that it may also be beneficial to others, please consider adding it as a resource link on your website, Ezine, or blog!
Getting the Most Bang from a Networking Event - Part 2
Step-by-step tips on how to benefit from attending a networking event and meeting your ideal client.
www.the24hoursecretary.com/Articles/networking2.htm
