LAS VEGAS — Trade Show Executive (TSE) attended a Networking 101 session at the Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment Women’s Leadership Conference, held at the MGM Grand Conference Center, which supplied these tips:
1. Keep a Positive Mindset
Remembering the benefits of networking can set you up for success. For example, connecting with other professionals can give you useful advice and career opportunities.
Also, it could be beneficial to think of networking as part of your role’s responsibilities, because it can help you bring more value to your organization.
2. Set Networking Goals
Setting goals can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.
The Networking 101 session supplied four types of goals — strategic, professional, career and organizational.
Creating personalized goals, such as reaching a certain number of LinkedIn connections before a certain date, can be a great starting point too.
3. Plan Interactions
Making a plan can help prepare you to meet professionals and achieve your networking goals. For example, you could look at an attendee list or panel lineups before an event to find people who you are interested in meeting.
Related. How Do I Launch a Trade Show?
4. Create Your Introduction
Having a prepared, effective introduction can help you put your best foot forward. Be sure to come up with a brief description of yourself and your role, which includes the value you bring to your organization.
5. Prepare Conversation Starters
Having a conversation starter, or ice breaker, on hand can help you kickstart dialogue.
The Networking 101 session gave three easy ways to start a conversation: make an observation, find a focal point or offer a compliment.
6. Strategize for a Valuable Exchange
Making strategies beforehand can help make you make your networking interactions as effective as possible.
The Networking 101 session suggested smiling, starting with a warm introduction, finding common ground, offering value, listening actively, asking insightful questions and avoiding yes and no questions.
7. Exchange Information and Follow Up
Try send personalized communications after each networking opportunity. Be sure to express gratitude, recap key points, propose next steps and stay engaged.
