Any last minute networking advice?

[bluewoodstudio]

I am going to my local Chamber of Commerce networking event tomorrow, it is going to work like 'speed dating', we will hopefully get to connect with up to 10-15 other businesses and get 2.5 minutes to talk about ourselves.

Any last minute tips/advice? The fantastic Dex from Gossipsm has been really helpful.

I have some QR codes on the back of my business cards as a bit of a novelty and talking point that will take people to my FB page. I have instructions etc ready to show people who dont know how to use them.

I also have my elevator spiel ready, and will be sure to ask those I meet if they know of any other businesses that could use my services (ie.referrals).

Any other tips? And good lucks would also be appreciated.

Heidi

[The Copy Chick]

ENJOY it!!

(and good luck! )

[BlackCoffeeComms]

Don't be shy and get straight to the point.

Everyone is there for the same reason, so no-one will be put-out if you go up to them, offer your hand and say "Hi I'm Heidi, I'm a designer and I can show you how to make your marketing material better..." Or something along those lines. In other words, start with the elevator pitch, then move to the niceties

Good luck and have fun!

[tonyk]

Just be yourself, and remember events such as these aren't about selling, they're about getting to know some new people in the industry. Try and find some kind of common ground, doesn't even have to be business related.

[AgentMail]

Hi Heidi,

At one of the Chamber of commerce meetings I go to, there is a really flamboyant guy that always wears a really loud suit. I am not saying where a loud suit, but these are the things that get remembered in a short time frame.

Try and get the other person to go first in the speed talk. That way, you will know what they are all about, and you will be able to give specific examples based on their industry:

Say you are chatting with someone who does pest inspections. You let them go first and explain what they do etc.

You can then talk about similar examples of work you have done within the pest/building industry, about using animations to explain what they do to their audience, clever business card designs etc.

Hope this helps,

Above all else, have fun!

[King]

I have some QR codes on the back of my business cards as a bit of a novelty and talking point that will take people to my FB page. I have instructions etc ready to show people who dont know how to use them.

Well there is your 2.5 mins wasted on that novelty. I would not draw attention to the QR codes at all and follow the good advice given here by others already.

[Khalid Adam]

treat networking like approaching someone you want to ask out. Don't just go and propose /sell.

Sure you may get lucky but it just might take alot more effort than needed and there is a pretty bi risk that you end up with someone who will make your business / life hell.

true networking is like a marathon. not a sprint.

Advance tip: treat the people you meet like future strategic alliances. they have a network and client base.

Once they get to know, like and trust you, create an arrangement where they become the rain maker / referral flood.

[Couple It]

Because you'll be meeting so many people in a short time, it's going to be hard to put faces to business cards at the end of the night.

After you've finished talking to each person jot down some notes on their business card. Older man with glasses, wants to look into affiliates. Tall woman in bright red dress, just started out in partnership with sister. These simple notes will turn their business card into a person who you will remember. And the next time you meet up with the tall woman, you can ask her how the partnership with her sister is going People like to know that you are listening to them.

Wendy

[seolyka2]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Just be yourself, and remember events such as these aren't about selling, they're about getting to know some new people in the industry. Try and find some kind of common ground, doesn't even have to be business related.

I agree. Networking in events is not advertising. It's important to lead with conversation, not with your elevator speech. Allow conversation to flow to your goals for attending the business event. But if this doesn't happy, just try to be good and amiable networker.

[The Infotainer]

last minute advice:

don't forget your business cards I have done that

drove for an hour paid $50 for parking no business cards

don't get drunk
don't try and pick up if your single (or married)
peppermints if you smoke
wash your hands and if a guy face in disabled toilets if you do smoke (girls with makeup I don't know)
dress well, in fact dress like you have some place better to go- later
If you do smoke- get the electronic cigs they don't smell or leave your breath bad or get in your clothes
bring a pen

remember eye contact, don't eat anything that takes more than 1 bite, avoid things that can dribble on your clothes (some people eat alot at those things I prefer water or OJ and no food) or pastries that flake on your clothes or around your mouth
for men and women (yes men) bring a small mirror for a clean mouth and nose (because no one ever tells you)
dandruff - bring a brush before you leave the car, or if your in a band use gaffa tape which works well (don't ask about the gaffa tape other than it's very sticky)

don't over do your aftershave/perfume- when you put it on after a shower- by the time you get to the event you can't smell it- but they can- so don't put more on.

last minute shaving cuts: buy from chemist STYPTIC PENCIL about $7, if you nick yourself in a last minute clean up- put some of this on it stings for litertally 1/2 a second and will stop it there and then- wait 2 minutes and then with tissue wipe off the white bits that appear gently- FANTASTIC. (also good for insect bites)

if you go to the rest room because of a large meal before hand of a spicy nature- go into disabled restroom and remove suit tops and place on other side of the room
(if you know what I mean no explanation is nessasary- if you don't know I can't explain it here) (and more perfume can't help) but courtesy floush often not just for them but for your clothes as well. moving on

Psychological touches
Keep your business cards in your wallet, and also keep a picture of your family in the wallet, when you open it up flash the picture subtly and this adds a trust factor to you and builds up family, warm feelings towards you when dealing with women.

Name badge - Bring your own and make it bigger so people can easily read it, or have a competition underneath it

David welzman
Ask me how to win a car

it's a nice ice breaker even if your responce is "I have no idea" brings a smile to peoples faces and break down barriers