5 Tips For Networking At A Conference

5 Tips For Networking At A Conference As the Cofounder and President of PowerToFly, Ive been to my fair share of conferences and networking events. PowerToFly ran over eighty events over the last twelve monthsNeedless to say, I know that trying to meet new people at a multi-day event seems overwhelming. But it doesnt have to be exhausting. It can be reinvigorating and lead to useful connections that last for years to come - after all, thats why we go to conferences, right?So, without further ado, here are my 5 tips for networking at a conference - read them, live them, and make the most of your next conference1. Do Your Homework - Conference networking starts well before you pick up your name tag. Review the speakers and program as a whole a few weeks in advance so you can make a plan for who you want to meet and how you can connect with them. *Pro tip* - Once youve decided who you absolutely want to meet at the conference, ask a mutual connection to introduce you on LinkedIn or send them a connection request with a specific ask. Tell them who you are, why you want to meet them/need their help, and propose a time to meet. If youre delivering any pitches or talks of your own at the conference, you can invite them and ask them to connect for 5 minutes afterwards.2. Practice Your Pitch - Youll be introducing yourself a lot. Be ready to tell everyone you meet the following info in 30 seconds or less Your nameWhat you doWhy you are at this particular conference3. Be Genuinely Interested in the People You Meet - Dale Carnegies old advice definitely applies to networking at a conference Your ability to drive an interesting conversation that isnt all about you will be a breath of fresh air for your fellow attendees. Try the following When you meet someone, repeat their name and use it in the conversationAsk open-ended questions Practice active listeningSmile and ask targeted follow-up questions4. Take Notes - Once youre done chatting with someone, jot down a few notes about the conversation. If youve done step 3 effectively, you should have several unique takeaways that go well beyond the persons job title. 5. Follow Up Share The Wealth - This is where the real fun begins. Connect with everyone youd like to stay in touch with on LinkedIn and/or social media - when appropriate, you can use the notes you took to add a personal message that references something unique about the conversation you had Finally, consider sharing what you learned at the conference in a blog post or even a short video (you can share videos throughout the conference too). This is a great stepping stone to connect with fellow conference attendees you didnt have the chance to meet, and to share your key conference takeaways with colleagues/acquaintances who werent able to attend the conference. From Your Site Articles Grace Hopper Conference 2018 Guide - PowerToFly Blog Related Articles Around the Web Why Conferences Are the Best Place to Ne twork - The Muse Aki Merced