Tip 1: Make sure you are well prepared
Good preparation is half the job. Where exactly are you going? Is it a conference, a work drink or a course that you’re attending? Make sure you know what the theme is and that you can talk about it.
Try find out in advance who will be attending the event. Think about who you definitely want to talk to and how you will approach them. Is there perhaps someone present that you already know who can introduce you to them?
Make a list of what you want to achieve at the meeting. If you are looking for a job, it is smart to get in touch with people in your field. If you want to gain knowledge about a certain subject, look for experts in that field.
If it’s a physical networking event, also familiarise yourself with the dress code. It would be a shame if you arrived in your jeans, while everyone else present is wearing a neat skirt or nice suit. Thinking about this in advance will help you avoid awkward moments.
Finally, make sure you have some business cards with you, or have your LinkedIn profile ready. This way you can connect directly with interesting people. Do not take too much stuff with you, full hands can cause awkward moments if you’re offered a drink!
Tip 2: Make contact
There is nothing more difficult than starting a conversation with a stranger. But there are a few tricks that can make it just that little bit easier. Open your stance during a physical event – even if you are not talking to anyone for a while, it is important to keep your head up and to not cross your arms. If you adopt a ‘closed’ attitude, you’re giving the impression that you’re not much of talker and don’t really want to be there.
If your networking event is online then try to connect with those present. Use the chat function to talk to someone ‘one-on-one’ for example.
Begin by making contact with people you know. Starting a conversation with someone you’re familiar with is less of a barrier, and it shows others that you’re open to contact. However, if you want to meet others, don’t hang around for too long – ask them to introduce you to other people or acquaintances in their network.
If you see someone you really want to talk to, make sure you ask the first question yourself. This way you immediately take the lead in the conversation and there is a greater chance that you will achieve what it is you’ve set out to do. Ask as many open questions as possible and don’t just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ yourself. This way the first contact becomes a real conversation. “Got some inspiration today?” or “How did you find the course?” are good conversation starters.
It’s easy to ‘zone out’ sometimes, so make sure to listen to the other person when you ask a question. Then respond to what they are saying and only ask the next question after that. This gives your conversation partner the feeling that you are genuinely interested and can lead to very nice chats!
Try to arrange a sequel! Network meetings are primarily intended to make first contact, but if you meet someone meaningful, it’s better then to connect one-on-one and get to know each other better.
Tip 3: Take action
Okay, so your first contact was successful. How do you go about organising a follow-up?
Never offer your business card first, instead ask for the business card or LinkedIn profile of your conversation partner. With LinkedIn you’ll then have them in your direct network. And if you ask for a business card, no doubt they will ask for yours back!
Next, ask whether they would be interested in a further follow-up discussion. This way you know immediately whether they are open to further interaction, and they know to expect an email or phone call from you.
Tip 4: Pay attention to your new connection
After your networking event you’re not done yet! Now is the time to set yourself apart and reconnect with your new contact, making sure the connection doesn’t fade. Invite the people you spoke to on LinkedIn, with a personal message. Tell them how you enjoyed meeting them what you would like to do now, such as a follow-up appointment. If you have a list in which you keep your contacts, make sure you also include the details of your new connections. This way you always have their details on hand if you need them.
Also remember that if you made any promises during the meeting, keep them. For example, if you said you would call to make an appointment, do so. It’s best to do this as soon as possible after the event, so that you both remember what you talked about.
Finally, you don’t want to dilute the contact. So, try to actively respond to status updates on the LinkedIn page of your new contact. Or contact them by phone or e-mail to ask how the one project he/she talked about is going. Anything relevant, to keep that contact hot!
At SkillsTown we have over 100 courses that your employees can use to develop themselves and their networks further. Give us a call today and we’ll take you through our innovative platform!
