Key things to remember for your first networking experience

So, you’ve booked onto your first networking meeting or event. A huge congratulations for taking that first step!

But what key things should you really remember on your first networking meeting?

Know why you are going!

Firstly, you may want to think about why you are going:

·       Is it to create some business sales?

·       Is it to boost your confidence?

·       Is it to help improve your pitching?

·       Or, perhaps you just feel the need you need to get out of the home office and connect with fellow business professionals?

A little note if you are going to your networking event for business sales:

If your goal for your networking meeting is for business sales, then please don’t be disappointed if you don’t get any work on your first occasion. Networking is very much about building trust and rapport that is where the business flows. Networking is not a sprint but very much a marathon.

Ask the organiser for a format of the meeting

Something that will help you prepare for your first networking meeting is knowing what the format of the event will be, as there are a few options!

Is the event structured?

This means there is a layout of the meeting that will be followed such as having informal networking to start, then you will generally sit down and have the opportunity to pitch for 45 seconds to 1 minute, and the host will organise the running of the event following the layout.

Is the networking event informal?

This type of networking will be managed by an event chair or host, who will facilitate the event and manage the time & attendees, but you will generally have the opportunity to connect in a more relaxed setting.

Is it facilitated?

This will mean you have an event chair or host that manages the event, but is more laid back than the structured approach. There will be someone there to help organise the event. This is often very similar to a speed networking event – as a host will time manage the attendees and the event as a whole, so it runs smoothly.

Is it open networking?

 This means you’ll turn up to the event and be left to have conversations with attendees. Just rock up, have a chat, and get connected!

Does the event include a pitch?

Knowing the details on what you need to bring such as a pitch, and how long that needs to be, will help you prepare your talk to the room. This is usually included in structured and potentially facilitated networking.

When you know what will be happening at the event, it will help you feel more comfortable, confident, and help you prepare.

About WIBN

Women in Business Network is a bit of a mixture of all of them! We have informal networking at the beginning, we have a chair that facilitates the networking group itself, and we have a structure that is followed no matter the group you go to – so you’ll know exactly what to expect!

I run over 10 WIBN groups in London, Bishop's Stortford & Chelmsford and each one is special in it's own way. You can find my groups here and get in touch by emailing me here.

Preparing for open or informal networking

 At our Women In Business Networking Events, and at quite a few other structured networking events, you will often have the opportunity to have some open networking, so I wanted to share some tips to help you feel ready and confident!

Have some questions up your sleeve! A great way to feel confident about your open networking is to come with a few great questions to open the discussion, here are some of my favourites:

o   How did you get here today?

o   How long have you been in business for?

o   Are you a member of this group?

These questions are great to help you have some reassurance about this part of the networking event and to prevent yourself stumbling. A good point to remember is that the people in the room with you are all supportive and know how you feel, particularly as it’s your first time.

Bring your business cards!

Business cards are making a comeback! They should be with you at any networking event you go to. At WIBN your details are generally put onto the What’s Lead Sheet and handed out either on the table, or online and sent to you prior to the meeting, depending on whether it’s a classic, Flex, or National WIBN group. You may want to bring some business cards with you, though, just in case!

Networking really can happen anywhere, so pop your business cards in your purse wherever you go. The number of times I have been out shopping, on the train, giving blood (yes really!), I have had opportunities to talk about my business and been asked for my details. These are all great opportunities to hand out your business card, so you don’t want to miss out on those opportunities.

The One Minute or Elevator Pitch

Whatever you call it, these are usually 45 seconds or 1 minute opportunities within your networking meeting for you to make an impact and to focus on what you want to get from that particular meeting. A lot of networking groups have this section of their meetings, so it is really important that you think about what you want to get, and who you want to be introduced to.

A good format for your 60 seconds is:

·       Start with a quick intro – who you are and your business name

·       Services you provide

·       How those in the room can help you – this is your ask

If you are a little nervous about doing your 60 seconds, you may want to stand up as it really does project your voice, and don’t forget at Women in Business Network we understand that people may not be familiar to networking, and we are all rooting for you. Don’t forget, everyone else is in the same boat, and there to support one another’s businesses.

Don’t panic about referrals but do write notes!

I do know it may be a little overwhelming on your first meeting, and it is really useful when you get back to the office to take stock of what has been said. Making notes really does help with that.

If you’re like me, and there are lots of people in the room and you aren’t sure you’ll remember everyone’s names and how the match up, it can be really useful to write a little description about the person who was speaking or better still, do a little diagram of where everyone was sitting on the day which will help you when you come to look at your notes in future weeks.

Follow up after the meeting!

It’s really important that you follow up with people. During a networking meeting you may hear from someone that really wants your help, or vice versa, who you wanted some help from. I highly recommend you do this within a week, anything longer than that and it may give the impression that you’re too busy to provide someone the services they have asked for, or that you’re not as interested as you may have seemed in the meeting.

Networking very much about building trust and rapport, and the follow up is the first step into starting this relationship of trust.

More importantly, have fun!!

No matter which networking you join, networking should be fun and productive. Networking, like any hobby or business goal, needs commitment. The more you do it, the more you get into the flow of it and you will begin to see the results. Take time, enjoy the process, and commit to something for a good amount of time to start to develop those important business relationships.

If you want any advice or support with your networking journey, please get in touch.