Be Prepared: How to Represent Your Business at a Networking Event
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Are you attending a networking event soon? Networking is a vital component of any marketing strategy, and you need to implement a plan to maximize the time you spend working the room. Arriving at a function without setting clear goals for yourself and your team wastes a valuable opportunity.
Here is everything you need to know on how to represent your business at your next networking event.
1. Plan Your Event Objectives
You need to treat a networking event in the same manner as you would with any other business meeting. As you walk through the doors of the venue, you need a clear, defined plan to optimize your time spent with industry influencers and competitors.
Your objectives should include the following factors;
Prospecting for new clients – Review the list of speakers and company’s attending. Research as many attendees as you can and identify prospects. Allocate each of your team members with a prospect list.
Building rapport with influencers – Influencers offer tremendous value in promoting your business. If you are successful with pitching them your business model, they will endorse your business to their network, which could net you hundreds of potential prospects.
Analyzing competitor trends – Don’t be scared to approach your competitors and ask them their thoughts on industry trends.
Headhunting talent – People that attend networking events are typically highly ambitious and enthusiastic. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity to canvas the room for new talent.
2. Get Social
Its standard practice to promote events on social media. While you’re at the venue, use Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Live to improve your visibility.
Most organizers update social activity during the course of the event, and the use of hashtags helps you identify other people in the room using a social strategy as well.
Always act professionally on social media, you’re representing your company, not yourself. Ensure that you reply to any mentions or comments while at the event and use the data in the follow up after the session.
3. Arrive Early and Stay Late
The early bird catches the worm. Get to the venue at least 30-minutes before its scheduled to start. The earlier you get there; the more opportunities you’ll have to meet people. Arriving before the doors open allows you to secure positioning in the room.
Instead of sitting at the front, sit in the back row instead. This strategy lets you watch the people in the room and their reactions to the speaker’s content. After all, you’re here for the people, not the speaker.
After everything’s finished, don’t just fly out the door, stick around to develop new relationships with others or offer to take a prospect you’ve met out for a meal.
4. Remain Professional at all Times
Most networking events offer a cash bar or cocktails for the guests. It’s critical to remember that you’re representing your company and your behavior is a direct reflection of your company’s brand and its values.
There’s nothing wrong with having a social drink but remember that you’re here for business, not a party.
5. Be a Brand Ambassador
Create a positive first impression with people you meet by acting as a brand ambassador. Order custom lapel pins for yourself as well as your team and proudly display them on your jackets.
These pins make an excellent tool for opening a conversation. They also provide a touchstone that instantly notifies the people you meet of who you are, and the brand or business you represent.
The Final Thought
Treat every networking event as an opportunity to drive new business to your company, and it’s not often that you get the opportunity to work an entire room of potential prospects, so use your time productively.
If you find your spending too much time with someone, politely introduce them to someone else and gracefully move on to the next prospect.