It’s been really nice to get back to networking again after quite a long period away ! You get to meet other business owners, both old and new and catch up with the admin teams involved with hosting the event. What has struck me the most this time is that groups are now much more focussed on supporting each other rather than just shouting about what they do.
We’re getting new members joining as well as those who are attending for their first time, so for those who are feeling a bit nervous about going online to chat with people they don’t know, here are some suggestions:
- Be Concise When Introducing Your Company
Many events start with people being asked to give a brief overview to people in the room about what your company does. I’ve lost count of the times today that people have just rambled, leaving us all a bit confused. Often the best way to summarise things is to say what the problem or need is then how you solve it – simple! - Provide Contact Details in the Chat
Most of the video conferencing programmes have a chat facility which will allow you to share your contact details. Here again, keep it brief: usually your LinkedIn profile and website URL with a little bit about what you do is more than enough, so people can be reminded of what you said in the room. - Follow Up
There should always be people you would like to have a longer chat with; it’s best to follow up as soon as you can after the network meeting and ask for their Calendly or other booking facility to arrange that 1-2-1. - Read/Interact with Posts on LinkedIn
It’s nice getting likes but comments get you noticed. People remember you because you took the trouble to post a reply to something they created. - Try To Post Something on LinkedIn
Writing that first post can be daunting for some, but it’s a way of getting your skills/knowledge shared. News items may provide you with ideas, but nothing beats humour and shows your fun side.
What do you enjoy most about networking?
