When many people think about networking they often think of in-person networking events.
The kind of events where people stand around feeling awkward nursing a cheap glass of wine and talking with strangers about nothing in particular. At moments in between unimportant chit-chat, they wonder why they even decided to come.
More often than not, these events don’t yield much for your networking goals. You leave the event feeling disappointed, wondering if it was a total waste of time.
But despite this, with the right approach, in-person events can be effective for building your network. With a plan and a structure, it can yield big results.Superficial small talk, uncomfortable asks, awkward silence.
Have a networking goal in mind for the event
The key to making these events worthwhile is defining an objective of what success will mean.
First figure out what you want to accomplish at the event. Keep your ambitions modest and measurable. That way you know exactly when you can leave. For example, don’t try to meet every person. Instead, identify three individuals you’d like to connect with.
Let’s say your goal is to meet three people in your industry or in your line of work. The idea here is to introduce yourself to them, have a brief exchange, and then propose having a more in-depth conversation at another time. That will be the extent of your efforts at the event.
Strategy for what to do at the event
Going solo, find a connector
Getting started is always the hardest. So plan ahead to have a point person who can lead you into new conversations. This could be one of the event organizers who are likely well connected and eager to help. Just contact them ahead of time and ask for some recommendations of who you should meet.
To feel more comfortable as you enter, find the organizers when you arrive. Have a brief conversation with them to start to feel more comfortable. If you contacted them earlier for introduction recommendations, ask them to help you find them.
Following that conversation, move on to others they suggested you meet. By then, you will have some momentum from the initial conversation.
Going with others, divide and conquer
If you plan to attend with others, agree to split up and make connections on your own. Too often people attend with other people and only talk amongst themselves to avoid feeling awkward or uncomfortable. This is a waste of everyone’s time.
You can agree to leave at a particular time so that you maximize your time at the event but are not left waiting.
Be deliberate with your conversations
When you get into your conversations, be ready to introduce yourself.
Have memorized a brief introduction of who you are, what you do, and what goals you have. Sounds silly, but you may turn into a deer in headlights. Also have a few standby questions to get the conversation started but keep it rather superficial.
“So, what brings you here tonight?”
“How did you get introduced to this group?”
“What kind of projects are you working on?”
Hopefully, the other person in the conversation will give you a moment to reciprocate. Be sure to succinctly state what you’re looking for. For example,
“I am a supply chain planner with XPO Logistics. I’m looking to connect with those in supply chain management with demand planning experience because I want to grow in this field.”
Keep each conversation to 10–15 minutes at most and come up with a polite way to exit the conversation. For example,
“It was great talking with you. We should connect at another time to continue the conversation. There are some other attendees I want to meet and don’t want to run out of time.”
If you have no interest in having further conversation with that person, omit the suggestion to meet at another time.
For any follow-up meetings, suggest a time not long after the event. This way the conversation is still fresh from the in-person meeting.
Post-event follow-up
Following the event, be sure to connect again with the event organizers to thank them. Comment on the conversations you had based on the introductions they provided (if they did). That may prompt them to offer more introductions if other people come to mind.
Don’t be shy about reminding them of who you’re trying to meet. They likely know a lot of people in the community. Ask them for warm introductions to those people too.
If you got something out of the event, consider going again if it’s a recurring event. That way you’ll meet more people and start to feel more comfortable. Once you start frequenting the event, you’ll be a familiar face and it will be easier to meet more contacts and grow your network through this community. People may even start looking to you as their point person for meeting new people.
Wrap-up
Networking at in-person events can feel awkward and intimidating. But they can help expand your network if approached the right way. With a little goal-setting, structure, and advanced preparation, you can walk into these events with confidence.