eTip: How to Network An Event
If you go to formal or informal networking events to eat, hang out, and be seen, then do not read the rest. If you attend networking events to get potential clients/customers, then read further.
There are three major steps to network an event.1. Set clear objectives and goals.
Decide the specific people with whom you wish to meet or talk.
Decide how many people you wish to meet or talk.
Decide the number of post-event meetings you will want to schedule.
2. Meet people.
Practice and estimate before the event, how long it will take to:
Proactively approach people.
Introduce yourself.
Engage them.
Learn about them.
When appropriate, inform them about you/your business/your product/your service.
Obtain their business card. If they don't have one, give them one of yours to write their information on the back.
Exit and move on.
If an event allows 30 minutes of networking and it takes you approximately 7 minutes to meet a person (or be referred to someone in their network) and obtain a business card, then you have 3 to 4 opportunities to add a new person to your network. If your goal is to meet more people at the event, then you will need to scale down your time somewhere along the above process.
3. Have a follow up system.
Consider such a plan, then create your own:
SAME/NEXT DAY - Send a "glad to meet you" email.
SAME/NEXT DAY - Mail literature about your business, product, service, etc., so they remember you.
1st WEEK - Follow up email, asking to add them to your newsletter, blog reminder, etc., so they get to know you better.
1st WEEK - Send an Introductory newsletter, blog article, etc., and any links to your archived newsletters, blogs, etc.
2nd to 4th WEEK - Send standard newsletter, blog reminders, etc.
4th WEEK - Follow up call, asking if the information they have been getting is helpful in understanding your business. Ask for meeting or referral.
Everyone drives revenue one way or another. Keep in mind, the average person knows about 200 people. Of these 200 people, approximately 10 percent of them are your potential clients/customers. If you meet someone who has 500+ people in their network, the potential number of clients/customers increases. Build a relationship with your new networking contact to eventually gain access to that "10 percent."
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