Great Tips on How to Network at Events
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Great Tips on How to Network at Events

No matter what type of profession you're in, you will want to (or perhaps be required to) attend specific events – conferences, industry parties, or social media styled gatherings – where you can connect with people, strike up a conversation, and give others a sense of who you are. Because email and social media play an integral part these days in global commerce and philanthropy, I never pass up on any opportunity to make a real life connection with an online contact. Never. As social media consultant once said to me:

“No matter how technical the world gets, opportunities happen through people.”

This is true. It is one of the reasons I decided to start co-hosting and organizing networking events in Washington D.C. and Seattle over the past few years. There is nothing like a room filled to capacity - with some people unaware of who you are, and a number of others who enthusiastically back your work. In this situation, I always encourage the crowd to introduce themselves to folks they don't know. This, believe it or not, is the beginning of how transformational things - across region and culture - can take shape.

I talked with the amazing Rachel Thomas recently. She's an event producer at Six Degrees, the company behind the well-attended Social Media World Forum Conferences in Europe and North America. Having keynoted both events this year, I am more than familiar with her style, and its clear that she loves people. She surveys the room, shakes hands, asks questions, and makes a point of greeting everyone with a smile.

So if you are going to an event this year, and looking to get networking value, here are three great tips from Rachel to consider.

Research who you want to meet and connect before the show

"We always advise people to do their research before the event to work out not only who they want to see, but also who they want to meet. There are so many ways to connect with speakers and fellow attendees before the show via social media that it’s possible to start business relationships before even passing through the doors of the event itself. We encourage everyone to share that they will be coming, and to start conversations with speakers and attendees before the event to help break the ice, once there."

Be attentive and open to all conversations

"It’s easy to strike up conversations via social media, but there are some for whom being as open and conversational in the flesh can be tough. Simply being open and friendly and chatting to the people around you, not only makes the event more enjoyable, but it means you stand an ever greater chance of finding that one contact that is truly going to impact your life. This isn't going to happen though if you are head buried in your phone and tablet checking emails or trying to work. Put your out of office on and concentrate on getting the very most out of the show."

Stay in touch and share what you have learned

"Although this isn't technically a tip for networking at an event, it’s one of the most important tips of all. New contacts, like new friendships, needs to be nurtured and managed if they are to flourish. Collect business cards or contact details from people that interest you at the event and ensure you connect with them via social media after the show too. Similarly, if you picked up interesting tips or knowledge from your contact with them – perhaps an interesting speaker presentation – then a write-up of what you learned not only helps to consolidate your own learning but can be shared via social media with the person involved and with fellow attendees. Just remember to use the designated event hashtag though – in our case, its #SMWF."

As Rachel clearly demonstrates, one cannot stress relationship-building and networking enough. It is easy to gravitate to people in a room who we are already familiar with. I used to do it a lot. For many years in fact. But trust me, if you want to go from 'point good' to 'point awesome', you must be open to introducing yourself to unrecognizable faces in the crowd. You never know who they are or who they know. As entrepreneur Jeff Pulver once stated, "The next person you meet just might change your life." Yes, connectivity is a beautiful thing. So whether in a room of 100 or 1000 people, be ready to start enhancing, and advancing, your personal brand.

Sean Gardner is an international writer, keynote speaker, digital consultant and business creative who splits his time between Washington D.C. and Seattle, WA. He currently conducts workshops and social media training for small business, nonprofits, celebrities and multinational corporations. You can Tweet, Friend or Instagram him, and/or circle him on Google Plus.

Also...you can order Sean's best-selling book, The Road to Social Media Success, which is out on December 15th. It has some of his observations on digital strategy, social media law, Giving Tuesday's enduring impact on philanthropy, and a host of other topics.

So if you're trying to understand social, some its major players, its impact, its history, and where its going, this is the book for you.

Inspire, inform and elevate social media. Always!

Bruce Boillotat

Business Consultant at Maverick Sales Associates & Chief Treasure Finder at Unkyan Finds Estate Sales

9y

Thank you Sean, You always have great wisdom, BB Follow Sean Gardner on LinkedIn, and especially on Twitter at Sean Gardner @2morrowknight

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Wilson Ukah

High-conversion, freelance copywriter for B2B/SaaS and Tech Start-up | 🔥 Content UX Writer for Marketing | Healthcare | Finance | I help small and midsize brands generate insane leads and massive conversions.

9y

You've been to and spoken at a bunch of events to know. You practice what you preach. Thanks for sharing. Kudos.

Jaime Shine

Writer, Marketer, Social Media Strategist Helping Brands Communicate with their Target Audiences

9y

Good tips, Sean! Networking is so important in business today. Thanks for the great post.

Salomi Ratnagrahi

Helping families and business owners taking care of their loved ones lovingly. Helping to mitigate financial risk to your well-being during difficult times of life...

9y

Thank you Sean for awesome tips! I am not great at networking these tips surely boosted my confidence!

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