Most people treat conferences and events as things that happen to them rather than opportunities they design. I see so many people show up to conferences THEY PAID FOR and just sit on their phones the whole time. I get it, I’m an introvert with very limited social battery, but growing your professional brand is an uncomfortable journey. We’ve all seen it.
People show up. They sit in sessions. They grab a coffee and talk to the people they already know. They collect a few business cards. They go home and nothing changes.
That’s not networking. That’s attendance.
This module is about showing up with intention, to rooms, stages, conversations and walking away with real outcomes.
What events are actually for
Deepening existing relationships: The people who already know you, like you, and trust you. Events give you a chance to spend concentrated time with them, which accelerates trust and creates opportunities. Just don’t spend all the time with them, but a quick catch up and coffee plans is a good move to remind people you like them (and they like you).
Making the right new connections: Not as many as possible. The right ones. Targeted, intentional, quality over quantity. Try not to bee-line straight the to the people you are looking to connect with, but if you see a natural inroad go for that.
Adding value: By either presenting or engaging with the content being presented, events normally hav some educational format around it. Engage with it, if it’s something that you already know, don’t roll your eyes or disengage because other people will notice that and you will look less approachable as a result. Being present and engaged is a good look and more respectful to the people around you.
Why most professionals network badly
- They’re reactive instead of proactive (waiting to be spoken to)
- They are trying to sell/pitch to anyone listening
- They try to meet everyone instead of the right people
- They talk about themselves when they should be listening
- They don’t follow up
- They have no clear goal for the event
The pre-event preparation that changes everything
Before you go to any significant professional event, answer three questions:
- Who specifically do I want to meet or reconnect with?
- What do I want those conversations to achieve?
- What do I want people to remember about me after this event?
With those answers, you have a strategy. Without them, you’re just attending.
Exercise
Think of the next professional event you’ll attend. Answer the three pre-event questions above.