9 Powerful Situations at Professional Networking Events

If you are attending networking meetings with the intent to sell your product or service, you have set yourself up for disappointment. The pathway to success lies in seeking introductions, not sales.

When you attend a networking event neither you nor the other networkers intend to endure a sales pitch from other attendees. Recognizing this nugget of wisdom changes the way you interact during networking situations.

For the purpose of this article, let’s go with the idea you are attending a networking event where you know only one person, the individual who invited you, and that person is not the host. You should prepare for these Nine powerful situations. Each of the situations contains the opportunity to increase your influence.

You are going to recite your elevator speech a number of times.

Know your answer to the question, “What do you do?” You will be asked several times. Make sure your answer is concise and generates an increased interest in you and what you do.

You are going to need business cards.

Often the most awkward part of new introductions is the exchange of contact information. The business card is the best tool for this. Don’t network without them.

You are going to demonstrate how friendly you are.

We want to do business with people we like. For this reason, you need to be in a friendly mood. Be calm, and smile. Be genuinely interested in each person you meet. As you speak with people position yourself in such a way that others feel welcome in joining your conversation. Keep every comment about people positive and professional.

You are going to meet new people.

Be genuinely interested in what your new acquaintances do and who they are. Ask questions. Remember names. Make an attempt to recognize what you have in common, and how you can help each other grow professionally.

You are going to ask for introductions to other attendees.

You want to be introduced to the function leadership or host. You also want to be introduced to attendees who are well-networked. You are seeking to be introduced to professionals that you can create alliances with in the future. Warning: If you attempt to move forward with a sale in any way the introductions will stop. This is a time for building professional relationships.

You are going to ask for introductions to people who are not in attendance.

As you meet new professionals at a function you will undoubtedly hear reference to people not there. When you hear a specific person brought up repeatedly, ask for an introduction. This provides opportunities for follow-up away from the event.

You are going to offer to introduce attendees to folks.

As you have conversations with your new contacts there will be times you can offer an introduction. If the introduction can happen while at the function, do it. If the professional introduction needs to happen away from the event you should offer to make the introduction in a way that is most convenient. This is one of the most powerful tools you have in networking. Make sure you arrange the introduction expediently.

You are going to leave a positive impression.

There comes a time when conversations conclude and functions end. Express gratitude for the introductions and invitations. Don’t loiter – transition. Too much of a good thing is still too much.

You are going to follow up.

New contacts don’t mean much until they are cultivated. Schedule time in the days following a networking function to follow up with your new contacts. If there are introductions to make, do it quickly.

It doesn’t matter if the function is large or small. It doesn’t matter if the event is formal or informal. It doesn’t matter if you are a long-time member, or new to a group. It does matter that you don’t sell to people while at networking functions.

When you recognize the impressive results of professional networking you change your view of networking functions. You no longer see fellow networkers as sales conquests but as a portal to a flood of business.

How many networking functions do you attend?