I’m plotting out this blog from my seat at the 2021 Acumen Business Conference in Brighton and I am one of around 300 business delegates here to enjoy the return of this prestigious conference. Any other year this wouldn’t be a big deal, but today feels quite momentous as it’s the first large face to face networking event that I’ve attended since the start of the Coronavirus crisis. Chat is bubbling over coffee (critique of this, my specialised subject is important as you know), the agenda is in full swing and there is a real buzz in the air. We are all back in the room.

 

Some people are thrilled to be back, some are a little nervous. But there’s one common comment cropping up again and again…’’I’ve got a bit rusty’’, referring to the lack of face-to-face networking and the skills that have gone a bit flabby during the various lockdowns.

 

So, here are my top tips for getting back in shape with your physical networking if you too are feeling out of practice – or – if you’re completely new to the game. (There are many new business people born from the lockdown period who are coming to this for the first time. This blog is especially for you!)

 

Getting yourself ready – make sure you prep

A little bit of prep goes a long, long way! When you know you’ve got an event coming up, take some time to think about what it is you want to achieve. Are you looking for a new client? Are you there to raise awareness of a new product or service? Maybe you’re looking to collaborate with someone? Be clear on your specific goal for each event and do your homework to find out who’s going to be there on the day. Most event organisers will give you a list of attendees ahead of the event if you ask for it.  Set yourself a target to speak with at least three people who you’ve pre-defined as potential ideal contacts.

 

This goes without saying, but make sure you have business cards with your details to hand, so you can be ready to swap when the time is right. Don’t have a business card yet? Don’t panic! Check out Moo for their special finishes and sizes if you’re looking for a bit of WOW factor.

 

At the event – it’s go time!

First impressions count, so you want to make sure you feel confident talking about who you are and what you do. Practice your introduction (some call this an ‘elevator pitch’) before you go. It doesn’t need to be salesey or formal, just a brief overview which might include:

 

• Your name
• Your position (i.e CEO, founder, assistant)
• Who you work for (the organisation you work for or the name of your business)
• What your business does / how you help people
• Why you are there

Run through it a few times if you are new to networking so it rolls off the tongue a bit easier.

 

Building a rapport with people happens when we ask engaging questions, so have a couple up your sleeve for after your introduction to keep the conversation flowing. The aim here isn’t to interrogate, but to find out more about them and spark a more in-depth conversation.

 

Keep it light, be polite and don’t stuff your brochure down the neck of anyone who’ll listen.

 

After the event

If you take the time to do some follow up work with the people you’ve met, you’re onto a winner. This can include connecting on LinkedIn, writing an email to say thank you or sending them something they might find helpful. Whatever it is, make sure it’s genuine and personal. DO NOT go in with the heavy-handed sales pitch – no one wants that, and don’t bulk email your contacts. That s a big no no in the networking world.

 

Have you got any tips you would add to this? I’m loving the return to networking events and I hope you are too. Please share any advice with me by hitting reply to this email, or if you want to book in a coffee chat to talk more about building your business, get in touch via my diary link now. Thanks for reading!