Networking Tips: How To Work The Room

If you have been to a networking event before, you are well aware of the chaos that can ensue. Everyone is there to meet other people, make connections, and better themselves professionally, yet so often we leave those events not remembering who we talked to!

In this blog post, I have outlined the best tactics to get the most out of any networking event. There is a famous quote that always comes to mind before attending a networking event, and that is, “Prior proper planning prevents poor performance.”

With this mantra in mind, use these tactics to plan ahead of time, work the room at the event, and follow up with new connections afterwards.

Leverage Social Media

• Linkedin — Learn about fellow attendees, make personal connections, and set-up meetings!
• Twitter — Follow the conference hashtag, set up Twitter lists, and tweet about the event!
• Facebook — Check & comment on the event’s page and create a list of people to connect with!

Set Up Meetings Ahead of Time

People get booked up quickly at events! Be on their calendar long before everyone else to get a head start.

Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

Come with a sentence or two about your company. Concisely explain your role at said company, and how you might be able to help someone. Finally, have some good questions on hand to make sure you are engaging the people that you meet.

Know Your Networking Goals

Do you want to spread awareness about a new project that you’re starting? Do you want to meet an industry leader who can become a valuable mentor? Having a clear goal in mind will make networking less ambiguous and lead to more effective conversations.

Start A Conversation

Your first connection at an event is your gateway to meeting more people. It can be intimidating, but with the right approach, you can join in on an existing conversation or start your own! Make sure to read up on industry news and trends beforehand so you’ll be prepared to spark up conversation.

Ask For Something

Maybe you’re looking for a job offer, a recommendation letter, or to land a client. Consider why someone should choose you over others, then, come up with a succinct, humble answer why and ask for it. Be clear that you want it to be mutually beneficial.

Follow Up With Your Connections

Connect soon after the event. The sooner you follow up, the more likely your connections will remember you. Connect with new contacts on Linkedin and make sure to write a thoughtful message in your invitation. Further those relationships, consider reaching out to mutual contacts that you and your new connection have.