How to Prepare for a Networking Event

How to Prepare for a Networking EventHow to Prepare for a Networking EventNetworking events can be invaluable for meeting new connections, reinforcing others, and providing an opportunity to improve your professional profile. However, for some personalities, networking events can feel imposing and foreboding. Learning how to prepare for a networking event can alleviate some of these concerns.If you prepare properly, you can overcome the networking jitters rather easily and get the value from your interactions at every networking event.Follow these tips on how to prepare for a networking eventPrepare your elevator speech.Some of the fruchtwein important preparatory tasks will occur prior to the networking event that you plan to attend. One such task is to prepare and practice an elevator speech, which is a three- to five-minute description of what you do or an important project that youre working on. Having this information prepared in advance will put you at ease when asked, What do you do?Update your online networking accounts.Before attending your networking event, review and update your business networking accounts, including LinkedIn, your professional website, or other affiliations that feature profiles about you. Include your latest accomplishments, promotions, relevant volunteer work, and other important updates. After youve met an interested party at the event, theyll likely look you up online and having these accounts updated will promote the positive image you wish to portray.Scrub your social media pages.Similarly, you should take a keen look at your social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. Scrub these sites of any overly personal information or opinions, which could possibly turn away a future business contact.Get new business cards.There are many resources for inexpensive business cards or contact cards available to allow you to bestellung new, updated cards prior to your networking event for little out-of-pocket expense . Consider the message you wish to convey when selecting the theme of the card and consider what information you wish to share on the card.Remember, this is for business building, so consider including only your name, work phone, work email address, website or LinkedIn profile URL, and work address. Refrain from adding personal information.Peruse the speaker list.Now that youve attended to all the prep details for the event, its time to draw your attention to the event itself. Before arriving to the event, request the program and list of speakers from the event organizers. Look up information on the speakers and identify those whom you wish to meet. Make notes on the program and make a list of talking points to use with these chosen speakers.Feel free to discreetly carry the program and notes with you so you can refer to it prior to introducing yourself.Steer clear of cell phones or connection barriers.Heres another great tip for how to prepare for a networking event. Avoid carrying your cell phone in hand or any other device that will create a barrier to a firm handshake or that will make you look disinterested and unapproachable.Connect with pertinent people after the event.Be aya to focus on meeting some guests of the event, as well as presenters. Collect business cards and use your prepared talking points to have engaging discussions. Also, prepare some questions of fellow guests to show your interest in their work and be sure not to dominate any conversation with your own news. Once home, reflect on the event and those youve met. Find these folks online and like or follow their social media pages and send them a note to work on building a professional relationship.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off