Natalie Lund is an account government at Technique Communications.
After years of pandemic-driven cancellations, in-person networking occasions are again and also you don’t must be trying to find a brand new job to attend one. With the proper method, there’s potential to satisfy a brand new consumer or future colleague, or construct a reporter connection. The following pointers ought to improve your possibilities of making all of these connections, even when it’s your first in-person networking occasion.
Earlier than the occasion
Earlier than heading out, there are some things you are able to do to organize and ease any nerves you might have. If you happen to’re occurring behalf of a consumer, put together a 2-3 sentence elevator pitch for each the consumer and your self. Reporters will typically host pleased hour occasions to satisfy potential sources or study an business panorama in a specific metropolis so that you’ll solely have a brief window of time to pitch a consumer and your self.
If the occasion has a selected theme or is concentrated on a specific business, spend a while studying up on the newest information, which can come in useful throughout any lulls within the dialog.
Additionally, come ready with two to 3 inquiries to ask. I’ve discovered that asking, “How did you study concerning the occasion?” tends to be opener and might result in conversations about their background and expertise.
Lastly, set a aim for your self. Possibly it’s to introduce your self to 3 new individuals and join with them on LinkedIn. Possibly it’s to confidently get via one dialog with a stranger. No matter it could be, having a aim in thoughts will help inspire you for achievement.
In the course of the occasion
In contrast to a job interview, networking occasions are presupposed to be enjoyable and straightforward going. I bear in mind my first networking occasion, which was targeted on sustainability and hosted by a Bloomberg reporter, and being so anxious that I needed to be an professional in local weather change coverage and different business developments. If truth be told, the conversations ended up being a combination of business information and informal matters, like what everybody’s favourite grocery retailer was. So keep in mind that it’s OK to make informal non-work associated dialog, so long as you retain it skilled on the identical time.
Once you first arrive, the variety of individuals could really feel overwhelming, so I like to recommend transferring round to maximise the variety of individuals you possibly can meet. When there’s a lull within the dialog, don’t be afraid to say “I’m going to get one other drink or snack,” or “I’m going to go mingle some extra, it was nice to satisfy you” earlier than politely excusing your self and discovering new individuals to satisfy.
If you happen to felt the dialog went effectively, don’t be afraid to ask for somebody’s enterprise card or add them on LinkedIn. It’s anticipated and precisely why individuals attend networking occasions, and the worst case state of affairs is that they don’t add you again.
Lastly, as somebody nonetheless earlier in your profession, it’s straightforward to get imposter syndrome. I bear in mind being in my head, questioning if I had been deserving of being there speaking to those senior PR and comms professionals. Bear in mind that you’re deserving and folks do wish to discuss to you as a result of you’re the way forward for PR and completely convey one thing to the desk.
After the occasion
Crucial a part of networking will not be the occasion itself however the observe up afterwards.
For any enterprise playing cards or connections you make on LinkedIn, attain out once more. One message I’ve despatched earlier than is, “Hello X, nice assembly you at this occasion [insert networking event name]. I sit up for being related and hope to see you at future occasions!” If there’s something specifically you mentioned throughout your dialog, be happy to personalize as you’d a pitch earlier than sending. You by no means know when connections you make at a networking occasion will come again that will help you sooner or later.
If your organization despatched you or a supervisor requested you to attend, be ready to offer a recap. It must be a brief abstract of the individuals you related with and any potential results in act on. It should present your staff that you simply had been engaged they usually’ll maintain you in thoughts for future occasions.
Bear in mind: observe makes good in the case of networking. It should get simpler so don’t put an excessive amount of strain on your self on your first occasion.
Lastly, have enjoyable! It may be laborious to satisfy individuals exterior of labor so get pleasure from a free drink, meet some new individuals and simply be your self.
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