Success often hinges on who you know just as much as what you know, making networking events the secret weapon in your professional arsenal.
But here's the catch: to reap the rewards, you need to know the ins and outs of these events.
So stay tuned as we dive into the world of networking events and share 20 hot tips to make a splash next time you network.
Ready?
Let’s dive in!
Networking events are gatherings where professionals from various industries come together to connect, exchange ideas, and foster professional relationships.
Being versatile, these events can take many forms, including conferences, seminars, workshops, social mixers, etc.
Regardless of the type of networking event, their primary goal is to create opportunities for meaningful interactions leading to:
All networking events fold under 3 main categories:
Depending on your networking goals, one networking event will work better than another.
Here are our top picks.
Industry-specific events are probably the most popular since they include conferences, seminars, trade shows, and similar events catering to specific industries.
Speed networking events will be your cup of tea if you prefer fast-paced and energetic events where you get to meet many people in a short period of time.
In general, you get 10-15 minutes to talk to each attendee.
Since these events can be overwhelming due to the sheer amount of information, it is a good idea to have a short introduction or an elevator pitch ready.
In addition, you should write down the key info about the people you meet.
ProTip: A great way to make the best use of the limited time is to turn to digital solutions, such as Tapni, to share your information and relevant links in one place instantly.
Social media events allow you to connect globally and join the events regardless of their physical location.
Popular social media, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc., provide an opportunity to search for various webinars, workshops, conferences, etc.
In order to choose the best networking event to attend, ask yourself some of the following questions:
Before attending a networking event, define your objectives.
Having clear goals will guide your interactions and set realistic expectations. Furthermore, knowing who the attendees are will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and what type of contacts you may make.
Prepare a concise elevator pitch that introduces yourself, your goals, and ongoing projects.
The main goal of an elevator pitch is to make sure you convey the key information about yourself.
However, this doesn’t imply learning it by heart but using it more as a guideline in case you get stage fright.
ProTip: If you use Tapni, you can make your elevator pitch more memorable and engaging by providing interesting info accessible via a single tap or scan.
Effective networking involves listening as much as talking, so don’t try to dominate the conversation.
Instead, show genuine interest in others by asking questions and actively listening to their responses.
In addition, this practice will allow you to focus on building meaningful connections rather than shallow, superficial ones.
Remember, it’s quality over quantity.
Smile, maintain open body language, and make eye contact to invite conversations.
Once the contact is made, offer assistance, information, or resources to your network without expecting immediate returns.
Generosity goes a long way in building trust.
All your event networking can go down the drain unless you follow up after the event.
Did you know that for each day you don’t follow up, you’ll experience a 20% drop off in engagement?
In order not to be a part of these statistics, do the follow-up.
Now all the notes you’ve taken about your new contacts will come in handy.
How?
Use them to refer to something specific from your conversation, and thank your new contact for their time.
ProTip: Using Tapni Business Account enables you to connect it to your CRM, and schedule follow-up reminders.
Pretty handy, right?
Bear in mind that building a strong network takes time, so don't expect immediate results.
Instead, be patient, persistent, and consistent in your networking efforts.
Want to hear more hot tips on how to network efficiently?
Jump to our 16 Networking Event Tips for Beginners - The Ultimate Guide and learn more.
Now let’s check the tips if the tables are turned and you are a host instead of an attendee.
Apart from more technical aspects of organizing an event, such as choosing the right venue/platform, setting a budget, etc., let’s focus on more networking aspects of hosting an event.
Even if you organize a more formal event, it doesn't mean it should be stripped of fun. Incorporating games and activities is a marvelous way to not only engage your audience but to help them connect and network better.
You can organize:
In addition, you can prepare ice-breaker questions suited for your type of audience and let them mingle and get to know each other.
Initially, smart badges worked only at in-person events, and they would light up once you were close to your match.
These badges were linked to the event app attendees have installed and filled in their profiles, interests, etc.
Fortunately, nowadays, advancements in digitalization enable virtual matching, too.
For example, you can use QR codes to help attendees mutually connect.
They can set the QR code of their digital Tapni profile as the background for other attendees to access all the relevant info immediately.
And you, as a host, can post the QR code from your digital business as the background so the attendees can simply scan it and find all the relevant info about you.
Who doesn’t like gifts or the possibility to win something?
Besides an element of fun, using small but meaningful prizes can be a great way to boost networking if you turn it into a team challenge, where each participant of the winning team will win a prize.
By following up after the event, not only do you open the possibility for further networking with your attendees, but you also get valuable feedback about the event and the way you can improve any future one.
Hungry for more tips on how to host an event?
We’ve got you covered - hop on to Learn How to Host a Networking Event Using These 9 Tips
By now, you should’ve got a clear picture of what to do at a networking event, but how about the things you should avoid doing?
Not knowing how to end a conversation seems to be the most challenging part for most attendees.
You don’t want to come across as rude and leave abruptly, right?
The good thing is that others share your fears, too, so knowing when to step away from the conversation and move on is essential.
For example, you can leave a conversation with style by thanking the speaker for their time, exchanging contact info if you want, and meeting other speakers.
Networking events are valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.
By setting clear goals, practicing active listening, and nurturing your connections, you can maximize the benefits of these events.
And thanks to Tapni, you can not only elevate your networking but make the whole process seamless and smooth.
Tapni is a digital solution that provides not only fully-customizable digital business cards but also invaluable features for teams and businesses.
🔥 Schedule a follow-up reminder to keep in touch with your new contacts.
🔥 Put a direct link, so your new contacts can land only on the profile you want them to see.
🔥 Organize and manage your contacts and filter them further.
🔥 Automatically send messages after the event to people who visited your profile.
🔥 Benefit from analytics tools providing valuable metrics and ROI at events.
🔥 Have your contact sent directly to your CRM.
🔥 and so much more.
Ready to make a splash next time you network?
Create your Tapni profile today and start reaping networking rewards.
Although it may provide more challenging, introverts can be good at networking if they:
The most common topics are work-related topics ranging from ongoing projects and past experience to future plans.
In addition, you can introduce more personal topics such as hobbies and free time activities to break the ice.
You should check what type of event it is, search other attendees and have a clear goal of what you want to achieve at the event.
Keep Learning:
