I Thought I Knew How to Network
The 3 Things I Do Before Every Event
Weekly insights on thought leadership, tech, and travel. Practical ideas that make your work and life easier.
I was spoiled with my introduction to networking.
It started when I worked for a larger organization.
We had a HUGE booth. (2 stories. Meeting rooms. A reception desk.)
There were many colleagues (aka friends) working the floor. Prospects clamoured for tickets to our side events, meaning people were lining up to meet with us. Clients I already knew, with their own networks in tow.
My name badge did half the work before I opened my mouth.
I didn’t realise how much the company was doing until it wasn’t there anymore.
Solo Event
My new employer sent me to a conference in Amsterdam on my own.
I was in the same industry. I knew the city.
But it was a different product portfolio, no booth, and no co-workers.
Just lil ol’ me and an attendee badge.
First coffee break, I was in the corner with my phone. Staring at the exhibitor floor map and frantically scrolling through LinkedIn. Then I wandered aimlessly, luckily finding a few familiar faces.
Then I saw 3 people I’d been meaning to connect with were already deep in conversation with someone else.
I watched that from across the room. (Insert awkward feels.)
Eventually, the event worked out well enough. Some tangible ROI.
But, I’m not always a fan of “eventually.”
The playbook
Here’s what I do now. Steal it.
Reach out to your network. Check your CRM, LinkedIn, and Rolodex (old-school, but love it). See who may be going or who’s based nearby. Prioritize your ideal customer or client, but also think about other connections you’d like to make. Because you just never know. Example: I’m looking for marketers, leaders, and owners in the B2B space who view email and content as growth channels. What’s yours?
Research the event. Check out the agenda, tradeshow, and event app. Look for known contacts and potential “new” friends. Connect on LinkedIn through comments or DMs. Send emails. (And if you have an email list, ahem, let them know!) Even if you get minimal responses, the effort isn’t wasted. The connection may warm up again on a different occasion.
Build your schedule. Highlight sessions, keynotes, and the exhibitor list. Make coffee and dinner dates. Use your calendar, but leave room for serendipity. Bonus: Arrive early or stay later to spend time in the destination. You know I’m Team Bleisure.
What’s next
Running your own business, being part of a smaller team, or going solo can add additional challenges but also opportunities for networking. There is more flexibility, and there’s a good chance that the connections you make will have a big impact.
And if you’re part of a larger team, use that visibility. There’s more of a safety net and lots of chances to increase your luck surface area.
Is there an event coming up where you’ll be flying solo? Let me know.
✈️ Carry On
with Pamela Wilton
Stay in touch, stay visible, stay helpful.
Increase your luck surface area.
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