Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Friday, 9 November 2012
Success Formula for Networking Events
The most obvious thing as a networker I notice when going to networking events is that most event goers are not aware of how they can make networking work successfully for themselves and their business.
I believe that there are four things you need to do and understand before networking will reach your expectations.
The first being is to know what, where, why and who your niche market is. What are you looking to achieve when you are going to events? Are you aware of who you are needing to meet for your future success? Why do you want to be in that marketplace? Do you know where you need to be to meet those business people?
These are really crucial questions if you want to get your networking right! Once you are aware of these four questions you can then set out to achieve what you want in the most cost and time effective way. Word of mouth marketing is not a 'hit and miss' experience. There is a formula that I believe will bring success once you know your niche and move to that area for your connections.
Prior to going to any event you need to have goals on what you wish to achieve during the time you are there. Are you setting goals and making sure that they come to fruition. It is important that you accomplish what you set out to do and do not leave the event until you have achieved it.
Socialising is very important and you are there to meet new people, so don't spend the time with people you already know and have developed a relationship with already. Your time with people you know needs to be limited to at least a third of your event time. Be aware of people who appear not to know anyone and support them to meet others. This will help you move into new circles of attendees. Do not leave the event until you have achieved what you went there to do! Don't be pushy in regards to your business, you are there to learn about the other attendees firstly!
The most important part of any event is your follow up - what you do after you leave and go back to your office. Make sure you email people you have met that you feel you would like to know better and see again. It is very important that you send a nice friendly email WITHOUT any promotion on what you do in your business. One of the first turn off's is when someone emails to say 'nice to meet you, here is what I do'. That type of email gives you the license to hit the delete button!
Networking is all about relationship building and giving without expectation on return. Your first priority is to learn as much as you can about the person you are making contact with, asking them for more and deciding if you wish to meet them again on a one-on-one basis or at a future event. It is important that the email you send states what your intentions are in regards to learning about them. Remember, you do not know who they know or you may be looking for someone for your network who does what they are doing or you may just want to know them better and develop a personal business relationship with them.
We all have different reasons for our networking and it is very easy to just turn up and expect things to happen. Networking is all about the ACTION you take to make it worthwhile for you and your business future.
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Friday, 12 October 2012
Tips to Effectively Survive Networking Events
Networking events are primarily organized to meet business and social networking needs of enterprises. Hundreds of professionals participate in networking events held at different points of time to make new contacts, generate effective leads, and develop business opportunities.
Networking is hard and very few are adept at this game of generating quality contacts. For most individuals such occasions tend to be full of situations which may be monotonous in nature and small talk. Every professional should be aware of the formalities and the etiquette in order to mingle with attendees to achieve their business goals. Let's talk about some tips which may prove to be effective and would help you make the most of these events.
Walk into the Room Smartly
Don't just stand still after entering the room where the event is being hosted. You can either look for your friends who are already there or else go to the registration desk to find out the whereabouts of the speaker or the host. Instead of heading straight towards your seat or the bar, it is good to meet up with your friends or join a group of people discussing the latest market trends or stock exchange reports.
Introduce Yourself
When meeting up a new person or a group, you should introduce yourself first, and then tell them a little about the company you work for, your designation and most importantly how being associated with you can benefit them. Don't just wait for others to ask what you do, etc. You should frame a small introductory paragraph in your mind which should ideally comprise of phrases that should easily catch the attention of your new friends. However, do not try to dominate the over the group and ensure that it doesn't sound like a speech.
Have Honest Conversations
It means you should participate in a conversation healthily and smartly - it should not look like you are forcing yourself to chat or trying very hard to butt into an interesting dialogue going on between some of the people. In case an individual asks you about your role you should explain it in plain, easy to understand terms without being too technical about it. Remember, your goal is to allow interested individuals to be acquainted with you and not listen to a sales pitch.
Give Your Business Card plus Collect Other's Cards
After a successful introductory phase and participating in useful discussions, it is now time to give your business card to the ones who in your assessment may be interested in doing business with you and your company. You should approach potential contacts and in turn ask them to give their cards for future follow ups. In this way, you can establish a personal and professional rapport with prospective clients and business associates. Also, you should note down their social networking link ups to be able to add them to your friend list.
Follow Up Post Event
Your research and physical presence in a networking event will go to waste unless you follow up with your contacts after the event! You should communicate with your target contacts at least 3 days post the meeting. It is better to email the person rather than to call him or her on the first instance. Once your target responds, find out the best ways to keep the conversation going!
Jonathon is a professional event planner. Event professionals worldwide are increasingly relying on automated software to streamline the online event registration, payment management, and attendee relationship management. Acteva is the market leader in providing event registration solutions at competitive price.
