How to get the most from a networking event

Blog by my fellow co-worker Marc DeAmorim (@marcdeamorim)

Networking is an important aspect for both individuals and companies. It can allow you to build powerful and potentially profitable connections with numerous people. However, networking can prove to be challenging and at times even a little intimidating. I recently attended my very first networking event, SproutUp hosted by Sprouter here in Toronto and would like to offer my personal experience to help you get the most out of your networking events.

Below is a list of points that helped me get the most out of my very first networking event.

Define your networking success. It might sound odd to “define” what you would deem a networking success but it proves to be most helpful. By establishing what you want out of the networking event you have set a goal for yourself -one that you can work towards achieving. The best goals should be reasonable and measurable, such as collecting five business cards or talking to ten people, thus allowing you to clearly determine if you were successful.

Practice what you want to say. Going over what you want to say ahead of time will help you feel more comfortable while at the event. A good elevator pitch is a big help. With a little practice you will have helped to put yourself at ease and will have smoother conversations once at the event.

Arrive early to the event. This will allow you to become comfortable in the new setting and allow you the chance to ease into your networking event. You will also have the opportunity to introduce yourself as new people arrive, making for a great time to say hello.

Be friendly and be confident.If you are polite and friendly they will welcome the chance to get to know you, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. Be confident in knowing that these people are just like you -here to meet new people and make connections.

Swap business cards and make a note. The best way to swap information is through the exchange of a business card but to get even more out of a business card, I recommended making a short right on it.  Jot down something about the contact or their business to help you associate your conversation to their business card. This will be great for following up for future connections.

I am proud to say that my very first networking event was a success. My goal was to collect five business cards, which I was not only able to reach but exceed with an additional ten cards. I felt accomplished knowing that I had reached my goal and look forward to the chance to try again at some of the events in June . Additionally, I met a lot of new and wonderful people at the event, who I have since connected with over LinkedIn, e-mail or Twitter, and I learned some savvy business points from  Sean Ellis (@SeanEllis) on how to avoid common start-up marketing problems. I gained a lot from attending this networking event and feel that the above points really helped me have such a successful night.

Networking can be an exciting opportunity and with the help of these tips I hope that you can get the most out of all your networking events. If you would like to learn about more great events every month, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

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