How To Prepare For Your Next Networking Event - Tips
The problem with business networking events is that we are not taught how to make a business networking event effective and how to effectively and strategically prepare for an event. Here are a few ideas that will help you to prepare yourself for the next business networking events. Rule Number 1: You most build yourself up towards an event and that doesn't mean by just creating cool business cards. This means adding and learning more skills towards the next event. This means showing up to an event with results or at least some numbers in your hand. I've met many people at different events who brag alot but have no results to show... Rule number 2: Focus on marketing your information to the crowd coming to these events. Target them, add them as a friend on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. As you are adding them, send them a message with something like: "Hey - I'll be coming to the Pulver event in a few weeks - looking forward to network" Rule number 3: Plan ahead of time what you want to get out from such an event. Many many people show up, they have a business, they have an idea but when talking with them they have no clue what they are looking for. In life people like "tachlis", so be clear and specific for what you are looking for or interested in. Rule number 4: Learn how to listen to other people. Ask questions and show interest. You cannot imagine how much information and new things you will learn from other people that will help your business grow. It was very frustrating to meet with people yesterday who were just going on and on showing only interest in themselves. Rule number 5: Brush your teeth! People! you cannot imagine how hard it is to talk with someone that has bad breath! When someone has bad breath - the people he is talking with will remember the bad breath and forget the conversation. If you are drinking coffee make sure you have mint candies or something similar in your pocket. Rule number 6: Follow up, follow up and follow up! An event is worth nothing if you don't follow up. In the follow up try to schedule a more chilled face to face meeting over coffee. The Face to face contact is critical. Rule number 7: Use the Dale Carnegie rule: make people feel important. Listen to what they have to say. Now if you want to take this rule to a higher level: Thanks to social media you can basically see who is signed up and coming to a business networking event- (whether on Facebook or LinkedIn) research those people you are interested in meeting and see what accomplishments and past successes they have had and mention it to them at the event. People love recognition!
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