Lately, I’ve been talking a lot about getting offline to maximize your online connections, but you can also enhance your online connections with in-person networking events. It’s nice to get on your computer afterwards, and find your new friends on Twitter and Facebook.
There’s a reason you are taking the time (and sometimes money) to network. In order to make the event worth your while, determine what this reason is. I recently met a woman at an event, and she said she was there for the food and to get out of her house for a few hours. She works from her home, buying and selling property, and had no need or interest in building a network, which is fine. She knew why she was there and she made the most of her time.
Many people, though, are there to specifically build business connections, or expand their potential customer/client base. But showing up and passing out cards is not going to get you very far. And just collecting cards won’t help you much, either. Here are a few tips to help you actually connect with people that are right for you.
*Do not pitch your business. No one is there for a hard-sell and people will start avoiding you.
*If you attend an event with friends, spread out. Huddling in a corner, catching up with each other, is not going to help you build your business network.
*Find out what people used to do. This information can lead to additional ways you can help them, and vice versa. (I love this tip.)
*Be prepared to write on people’s business cards, if it’s someone with whom you want to stay in touch. You can quickly forget who’s who after meeting so many people.
*Connect within a few days of the event. If you wait too long, they may not remember you, or it may come across as insincere.
Like every other aspect of business, creating connections takes time and effort, so make sure you’re investing in relationships that are meaningful to you and your company. Not everyone is a fit, personally or for your business, and that’s ok. When building a network of people, quality is definitely more important than quantity.
