After a year of attending only virtual events, we are finally able to attend them in person. One big perk with IRL events? Networking. But, whether you’re fresh out of college and trying to land your dream job, or a big-time CEO, chances are you are a little out of practice.
With just a few tips, you’ll be back out there—feeling comfortable and confident to shake hands (or touch elbows) and make a connection.
Here are our top suggestions for networking at an in-person event:
Get to know the event: Make sure to do some research before attending the event. Having a lay of the land will make sure you’re there on time, will know about each stage and who’s speaking when—you may be able to say hello before or after their session. You may also find out there are pre-or-post event networking opportunities.
See who else is attending: Meeting on the show floor is great, but if you see someone you want to connect with is attending, set up a meeting before you go! Some events have portals for attendees to connect, and we suggest searching the event’s hashtag on Twitter—scroll through and you’ll see who else is posting that they’re excited to attend.
Do your research: If there’s someone you want to meet, look into their background and check out their LinkedIn to see if there’s anything you have in common, or that you want to comment on. You will definitely stick out from the crowd.
Get out of your comfort zone: It’s easy to gravitate towards the people you know during events. It can give anyone a bit of anxiety trying to make a first impression but the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Have your elevator pitch ready: Any time you go to an event, you have a chance to meet someone new. Research shows that 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So make it count! Having your personal elevator pitch—a quick background on you, what yu’re working on, what you’re looking to accomplish—down will show that you came prepared.
Hand out Business Cards or Connect on LinkedIn: Bring a stack of business cards or, better yet—ask for other people’s cards, so you can reach out directly. Another great way to build a professional relationship is to connect on LinkedIn (it’s easy to pull up a profile and connect with others right on the show floor). Prior to the event make sure you have a professional headshot as your profile picture and a clear experience section.
Follow-up: If you receive business cards and connecting on LinkedIn, you will have an easy time following up after the event. Here are some tips:
Make sure to follow up within 24 hours of the event.
In your message, reintroduce yourself and where you met.
Make sure to reference something from your conversation. Shows you were paying attention!
If you are looking to continue the conversation, be clear about what project or topic you want to discuss—people are more likely to respond to specifics than, “We should get coffee sometime!”
Enjoy: Lastly, enjoy yourself. In-person events are back! Take advantage of the connections, the swag, and the knowledge you’ll gain from each presentation.
Hopefully, these tips will help you network like a pro—and if you want to talk about how to get out speaking more, get in touch!
