5 Tips to Conquer your Next Networking Event
One of the perks of being a member of the Indep Chamber is all the networking opportunities we provide. Our staff works around the clock to plan over 90 events per year ranging from casual events such as Business After Hours to monthly staples like the Monthly Membership Luncheon to annual events like the Annual Banquet in January. Every detail – location, setting, topic, food- is planned to pave the way for YOU to meet other businesses and connect!
While a room full of business leaders from various industries and niches might seem intimidating, it offers limitless opportunities for prosperous interactions. You can't find a room of people like that on accident; it is an investment in your business and will produce results for years to come.
Today, we want to share several tips to get you ready for the next networking event you attend. You've probably heard enough about practicing your elevator speech and giving out your business card so we will skip the obvious and dive right into other pointers.
1. Set reasonable expectations. When attending a networking event, make sure you have a goal in mind that is attainable. Is your goal to feel out a new organization and get to know the vibe? Is it to meet three new people? Is it to meet one or two specific people? Take a little time to pre-plan a reasonable objective so you go in prepared and leave successful.
2. Ask great questions. People do business with people they know, like and trust. By asking genuine, thoughtful questions you begin to build rapport by showing interest in someone else's well-being. Doing so not only gives you a better idea of how to follow-up, it also leaves the other person feeling great about the conversation and more accessible in the future.
3. Treat networking like a puzzle. When you start with great questions, you’ll naturally start to draw connections between who you are talking to and others in your network. Offer to make those connections! You could connect two people who have the same target client industry or have a contact who is looking for that particular service. Once the introduction is made, follow-up with both parties to find out what came of their interaction. It will not only pay dividends for you, it will also help you hone your matchmaking skills.
4. Attend more than one type of event. Don’t pick one type of event and stick to it. Take advantage of the different benefits you can get from the various types of events. Smaller, informal networking events are held in a casual environment to give you a chance to connect on a deeper level, like our Business After Hours, iMembership 101, and Speed Leads. They are ideal for strengthening your relationships with fellow Chamber members.
Bigger, formal events, such as the Annual Banquet, Annual First Responders Breakfast, and Eastern Jackson County Business Expo can generate a lot of exposure to your business and present you to the community as a leader in your field.
5. Don't forget to keep meeting new people! Often times we see our members spending all their time with people they already know. While that is a great way to continue to cultivate your relationships, remember your goal is to expand your network by building new connections. Manage your time strategically to allow you to meet new people and reconnect with old ones.
Bonus Tip: Save contact information on your phone! Don't rely on keeping business cards that are easy to lose or misplace. Get into the practice of spending 10-15 minutes saving contact information as soon as you leave the event.
Start using these tips at our upcoming networking events and watch your connections grow! To check our events calendar, click here.
Always remember you can reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to get more involved!
Independence Chamber of Commerce | 210 West Truman Road Independence | MO | 64051 | PH: (816) 252-4745 | www.iChamber.biz | iChamber@iChamber.biz
