|
|
How do I best present myself at a networking event?Dave, I've just started attending professional networking events and don't really know how best to present myself and my company to the people who attend. Are there some tips or tricks you can share regarding how to talk about myself and how to make a good impression? I have the usual interests in partnering with others, gaining new customers and clients, etc. I think that the best way to get involved at networking groups is to actually be in the front of the room, speaking. You only have to do that once and you'll find that everyone will remember you and seek you out. Offer to talk about an area that you possess expertise, or even to just talk about how companies in your space should be evaluated before being hired, whatever. Potential partnerships are born when people learn about you and your business and decide that they really want to -- no, must -- work with you so that they can be more successful. There are other ideas about networking too, including one of my favorites, Dallas-based networking group Freedom Builders DFW's "Seven Ways To Be Productive":
Those are a good starting point for your networking. The best way to get ahead, though, is to "just do it". Go to lots of networking events, listen respectfully to the speakers, ask a few thoughtful questions, and hang around the "groupies" afterwards, being polite and pleasant. And good luck!
More Useful Business and Management Articles:
✔ How do I trademark my group's name?
Yo Dave! So I'm looking 2 trademark my group's name, and once its trademarked will I get a certain certificate of trademark to...
✔ Export LinkedIn Profile as a PDF Resume?I've spent the last year or two updating and adding to my LinkedIn profile and it has a ton of information about me....
✔ How do I run a credit card transaction with PayPal Here?I contacted PayPal and got their little blue triangle card reader for use with the "PayPal Here" application, so I can process credit...
✔ How do I search for a registered trademark?I'm trying to come up with a new name for our software product, having been informed by a customer that a really big...
✔ I'm unemployed. What do I list on LinkedIn?I wanna ask you about LinkedIn. What's the best practice to fill out the CURRENT POSITION Field when you are not working and...
Let's stay in touch!
Sign up for my weekly AskDaveTaylor Newsletter and you'll receive even more tech and gadget help
right to your inbox, along with exclusive news and industry updates. It's good stuff. I promise!
Categorized:
Business and Management
(Article 4046,
Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: Previous: Can't add signature to Apple Mail.app in Mac OS X Tiger? Next: What's the best starting bid for an eBay auction? Reader Comments To Date: 2Madison said, on October 17, 2008 11:43 AM:
Great tips. Having held conferences and attended many more, I hate to see people who spent so much time and money to attend just lurk around not making any attempt to network. Its like they're afraid to talk about themselves, listen to others, or talk about what they do. If you've gone so far as to get yourself to a networking event, don't ruin a good thing by being a fly on the wall!
I do have a comment, now that you mention it!Check This Out Too... |
Recent Entries
Look for Answers
Recommended
All Our Categories
Apple iPad Help
Articles and Reviews Auctions and Online Shopping Blogs and Blogging Building Web Site Traffic Business and Management Computer and Internet Basics d) None of the Above Facebook Help Google Gmail Help Google Plus Help HTML, JavaScript and Web Site Programming Industry News and Trade Shows iPhone and Cell Phone Help iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help Kindle Fire Help Mac OS X Help Pay Per Click (PPC) Advertising Pinterest Help Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Shell Script Programming Tech Support Video Help The Writing Business Twitter, LinkedIn and Social Network Help Unix and Linux Help Video Game Tips and Help Windows PC Help Find Me on Google+ ADT on G+ |
Dave,
Your answer is right on!
I'd just like to add that the best person to be at a networking event is yourself.
Don't forget to follow-up. Networking events by themselves are useless if you're not taking the time outside of the meetings to connect with the people you've met. When you're speaking with a fellow networker listen for some way that you might be able to help them.
The best way to follow-up is to share a resource or referral with them that can help with the issue they described when you met. This shows that you were listening to them, and can be a great resource.
Setup a one on one meeting. Lunch, a cup of coffee, whatever's convenient. It's these personal encounters with people where you can really get to know (and like) each other where real business networking happens.
Happy networking!