Perfecting your business networking takes practice.
Research shows that attending business networking events is crucial to your businesses overall success.
Not that we needed any convincing.
It’s also a valuable and cost effective way to market your business locally, make new connections and raise your organisations brand awareness.
Who doesn’t want that right now?
Getting out and about meeting people gives you the perfect opportunity to practice, work on and improve your businesses marketing message.
You might even pick up a tip or two from the other people in the room.
But you don’t have to wait until then.
Here’s 5 ways to raise your business networking game.
#1 Be Prepared.
Most networking events give you the opportunity to take part in a ‘60 second introduction’, or something similar.
Even if you’re not a fan or this type of thing, don’t wing it.
Hey, we’ve all been guilty of this at one time or another. But let’s be honest, rambling on ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ your way through to the end, is not a good look.
Think about it.
If you’re not prepared, you’ll be busy rehearsing what to say in your head before it’s your turn. And whilst you’re not paying attention to the other people in the room, you could be missing a valuable business opportunity.
Being prepared is useful in any networking setting, even if you’re just having a chat.
Pro tip: Write down and practice before any networking event the types of things you’ll say and how you’ll say it. You could even keep bullet points on a notecard if you think you’ll need a prompt.
And that’s not the only benefit of making a list.
Writing things down helps you commit things to memory.
Once you’re in the room and ready to go, make sure you speak clearly and avoid industry jargon. You might be great at what you do and know all the lingo, but will the people in the room?
#2 Be Memorable
What can you do, within reason, to make sure you stand out for all the right reasons?
One of my contacts on the networking circuit likes to entertain the room with a poem about what she does and how this benefits the lives of her customers.
By doing this at the various networking events she attends adds to her memorability because she is consistent in her approach. She’s also a very funny, talented poet. Which doesn’t hurt either.
She’s even generated paid business from this, with customers requesting her linguistic talents!
Maybe you could use a catchphrase about your business to begin or end your introduction but make it relevant and not boring.
It could be as simple as wearing something a specific piece of clothing, colour, or even just branded merch.
Think outside the box!
#3 Captivate your audience
When you speak, do it with conviction.
If you don’t sound sure of what you are saying, the people you’re speaking to may lose confidence in you and your business.
Keep eye contact and react to people’s expressions to keep them engaged and help you avoid looking nervously around the room.
If you’re doing a 60 second introduction at a networking event, be clear and concise, you only have a minute.
Practice pacing yourself so people will have time to digest what you are saying instead of speaking at 100mph and finishing in 10 seconds flat. You have 60 seconds, make sure you use them to your full advantage.
Finally, if you do feel an ‘erm’ coming on (hey we’re only human) try taking a breath instead. This will give you time to pause and think about what to say next.
#4 Keep to The Point
You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Or so they say.
So, focus on the problems your products and services solve for your customers as opposed to a full list of everything your business has to offer.
I’ve seen people do this time and time again at various business networking events I’ve attended, and the reason is usually to do with being unprepared.
Instead give an example of a customer case study. What was their problem? How did you solve it? What results did you deliver?
Trust me. This is far more engaging and relatable to any potential clients in the room.
#5 State Who You Want to Connect With
So, you’ve practiced your pitch, delivered it, and lived to tell the tale, captivating the entire room.
What next?
Don’t be afraid to tell the room who your ideal client is and who you’d like to connect with.
Do this at the beginning or end of your introduction so the people in the room know exactly who you’re speaking to and hopefully you’ll save time and effort finding the right connections.
Plus, there’s usually someone in the room who knows your ideal client and would be more than willing to make that introduction, after all, isn’t that what networking is all about?
Do you have any top business networking hacks or tips? Let us know if the comments.
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