Maximising the Benefits of Networking

The success and growth of businesses heavily rely on in-person networking, as it facilitates valuable interactions within the local business community. Participating in meet-and-greet events presents a great opportunity to broaden your professional network.

 

Prepare before the event

Inform others of your attendance - Are you planning to attend a networking event? Consider sharing the news on social media to gauge interest from others who might be interested in joining you. Should you come across someone interesting, feel free to send them a message or leave a comment to plan a meeting at the event. This approach will ensure a more welcoming introduction, as they will already have some knowledge about you.

​

Develop your elevator pitch

Crafting and practicing a concise speech that highlights your product or service is essential to optimize your platform and differentiate yourself from competitors. With limited time to introduce yourself at events, it's crucial to make every second count. By communicating your identity, expertise, the issues you can address, and most importantly, how to stay in touch, you can leave a lasting impact and enhance your networking prospects.

 

Invite colleagues

Having a familiar face in the room is always a pleasant experience! Why not invite someone to accompany you to the event? However, it is important to avoid sticking together constantly, as it might hinder the opportunity to meet new individuals. You never know, your desired acquaintance could be among the crowd!

 

Speak to people you don’t know

Networking events can be daunting as you find yourself amidst unfamiliar faces. However, it's counterproductive to stick with familiar people in such situations. The whole point of attending such events is to establish new connections. Therefore, it's time to gather your courage, step out of your comfort zone, and initiate conversations with new people.

 

Ways to open and join a conversation

Initiating a conversation can be quite challenging, particularly when it involves the initial line. It is crucial to refrain from immediately launching into your pitch. A favorable approach could involve discussing the occasion or venue as a starting point. Alternatively, you can empower your counterpart by inquiring about their motive for attending the event, which may provide a valuable clue to initiate a conversation based on their response.

 

Listen and ask questions

Engaging in a conversation is akin to playing a two-player game. It is imperative to actively listen to your conversational partner and ask pertinent questions at appropriate intervals to ensure a seamless flow of dialogue. Additionally, providing open-ended responses allows your partner to respond and participate in a meaningful manner. It is important to remember that networking is a mutual exchange of information, so refrain from monopolizing the conversation.

 

Get connected

It is crucial to always make sure to establish a connection and obtain the contact information of anyone you converse with during the event. This is a valuable way to broaden your network by acquiring new connections, and it may even lead to potential business prospects or opportunities for collaboration in the future.