5 of our staff members are at MozCon 2014 this week and while they'll be learning and hearing from the biggest names in Inbound Marketing, it also presents an opportunity to shake hands and meet some new people. This is something that all of us are well versed in, right here in Vancouver - meeting the best and brightest in the city.
Needless to say, networking is important for growing a business, building up your database of contacts and learning from those senior to you. All of us at LocalTrifecta have done networking events here in Surrey and throughout the Greater Vancouver area and I thought this would be a great opportunity for all of us to share our best tips for maximizing time at networking events.
Here we go!
Source: Flickr
Breaking The Ice
You've just arrived and now you need a way of easily meeting others. Some of the "pros" out there will just give it a whirl and go right up to people. But hey, not everyone is like that. Here's how you can start those conversations:
1. Break The Ice At The Food Table
For our very own Lincoln Chan, this is his go-to way of breaking the ice. His love of food is second to none. He can talk about it for days on end. So why not merge food and networking, right?!
Moreover, the food table is usually a high-traffic area where people will leave their groups and tables to pursue the satisfaction of their empty stomachs. Going into detail about what's in front of you both is a great strategy for breaking the ice with fellow people interested in doing the same. What's even better is that once you've come to the end of the food line, there's the opportunity to invite the other person to your table (or be invited by them to theirs), assuming you've wowed them!
2. Crack A Joke About Something A Guest Speaker Said
If you've been through a few sessions at the event, you'll have encountered a few guest speakers by the time you get around to the mingling sessions. Our very own Drew Bay suggests cracking a joke about something a guest speaker said. Bringing in humour is a good way to start the conversation.
However, try to make sure the person you bring up a joke to was in the audience for that speech or presentation. Otherwise, the attempt at engaging may fade quickly.
3. Master The Firm Handshake
One thing I've learned and experienced first-hand is the importance of a firm handshake. It's a subtle point but does make a difference. Impressions are important and making the first one (and that first action) is something you need to master.
Here's a tip: Simply hold out your hand with your arm at a 90 degree angle. Let the other person be the one to move their hand forward. However, on subsequent handshakes with that person, do a role reversal and be the person to engage your hand forward.
Networking
Beyond simply breaking the ice, you want every interaction with someone to hopefully go somewhere. They might turn into a business partner, a client, a contact, a friend or none of the above. But ultimately, you want some sort of long-lasting working relationship to come out of it. Here are some simple ways to take your interactions with others a long way.
4. Smile And Be Pleasant
Drew suggests simply smiling and being pleasant in interactions with others. A smile positions yourself as welcoming to peers and open to conversation. Smiles are positive and infectious - so smile away! Furthermore, who's going to greet a person who has the look of "I wished I stayed at home"?!
5. Be Yourself, Act Natural
According to Lincoln, you can spot someone acting as someone they're not from a mile away. So it's important to be as natural as possible when greeting and talking to others. People like dealing with people they can get along with and think they can trust. Be yourself and don't act like someone you've never been your whole life.
6. Ask People About Themselves
In sales, you're taught to let the other person speak the majority of the time. It generally means you're asking them questions and letting them air their opinions, views, objections and more. But on top of that, you're allowing them to be heard. Relationship-building is important for your business and so these networking events present an opportunity to just start a relationship. Don't focus on selling. Use this opportunity to get people to talk about themselves, what they do, what their interests are and more. Get to know them.
Moreover, people love talking about themselves. So when talking about yourself, be concise and be sure to say "...but I want to learn more about you. Tell me..." and go on into your questions for them.
7. Say Their Name 2-3 Times
After the greeting exchange, try to mention the person's first name 2-5 times during your chat with them. If the chat goes on for awhile, use their name more - at both the middle and end of sentences. People like hearing their names. Mentioning it a number of times shows that you care enough to remember their name and are willing to acknowledge someone with it. Plus, it'll also help you with remembering their name!
Lastly...
Simply showing up to networking events isn't enough. You need takeaways and most of all, you need to lay the groundwork for potential future business. Use these ideas at your next networking event or whenever you meet a group of like-minded professionals and you'll be on your way to that. Remember, it's the little things that matter in life - so use these 7 tips!
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About the Author:
Ramesh Ranjan is the Inbound Marketing Specialist at LocalTrifecta Internet Marketing, where he helps businesses across Metro Vancouver increase sales and revenue through Inbound Marketing. His marketing heroes are Marcus Sheridan, John Caples and John Carlton. In his off time, he can be found playing roller hockey in Richmond, blogging on his personal website, and at the top of the office hockey pool. You can follow and connect with Ramesh over Twitter and Google+
