How to Network at your next Networking Event
Networking can seem like a daunting task if you don’t know how to make it work for you.
Whether you are marketing a new business or want to spread the word about your products or services, networking can be an asset to you achieving your business goals.
Here are four tips that will help you successfully network at your next event.
Determine how you can be useful
Before you attend your next networking event, have a goal in mind.
Know what it is you’d like to get out of attending the event (e.g. earn more contacts, inform networkers of your products or services, etc.) and think of ways you can help the people you meet.
Individuals who attend networking events and think that they don’t work for them, usually attend with the main goal of seeking help for their goals.
Determine how your products and services can help potential networkers, and you will attract more contacts and individuals interested in what else you offer simply based on how useful you are.
Research who will be there and reach out before your event
Prior to arriving at your networking event, consider researching attendees and reaching out to the ones you’d like to connect with. This can be great for business owners who would like to partner with another brand.
By doing this, the individual will look forward to meeting you. Reaching out beforehand will make your first in-person introduction less stressful. This is an especially useful tip for individuals who usually shy away from approaching people at networking events because they don’t know how to start a conversation.
To be more personable when you reach out before your event, send a handwritten letter complete with a handwritten envelope.
Be sure to start your letter off introducing yourself, your company, and why you are reaching out.
Include a handwritten signature along with a contact number just in case your contact would like to reach out to you before the event.
Bring more Business Cards
The last thing you want to happen is for you to connect with someone and for them to request your business card and you reply with “sorry, I just gave out myself last one.” Because of this, it’s a good idea to take more business cards than you think you’ll need as you’ll appear prepared and professional.
If you’d like to stand out, consider handing out handwritten cards that introduces your brand and the benefits of using your products or services.
Your approach with be unique and charming and is sure to stay on the mind of your recipient even after the event.
Follow Up once the Networking Event is over
Just how sending thank you notes to your customers can leave a powerful impression following a purchase, sending a thank you note to individuals you met and spoke with at a networking event can have a similar effect.
You can always email, but so will many other networking event attendees. You want to standout and leave a positive impression on people you networked with, especially if you’d like to form a partnership, which can benefit your business.
Consider sending a handwritten thank you note thanking your recipient for connecting with you. When you do, be sure to address them by name and include what you spoke about at the event to let them know that you were attentive and engaged during conversation.
Keep your handwritten thank you note brief and include a contact number for them to reach out to you after receiving your thank you note.
Do you need help with creating handwritten correspondences following a networking event?
Letter Friend is experienced in creating customized handwritten material that are personal and will do the job of connecting with your recipient.
To get started, fill out our Custom Quote and we will reach out to you to begin working with you today.