How to Effectively Network during Events

Our recent Beauty Biz Roundtable (BBR 6) event was a huge success thanks to our PHENOMENAL Thought Leaders from Murad, Orly International, Kim Vo, SpaRitual, The Beauty Company, Lash Card, MML PR, Product 360, and Collective Wellbeing.

Networking events like BBR 6, are great for new business connections, potential partnerships and  job opportunities! But with all these opportunities to meet potential partners or employers, chances are you’re not utilizing the most out of networking events .

Here’s our Top 5 Tips on HOW TO NETWORK:

1. Set a Goal: Walking into a networking event without a goal is like showing up unprepared to a client meeting or an interview. Without setting a specific goal, you’ll end up wasting valuable time talking to the wrong people. Are you attending this event to meet with potential employers? Are you hoping to meet new retail distributors? Or a new marketing agency? Remember your goal and stick to it throughout the event.

2. Identify your Target Goal: Now that you’ve established your goal, it’s time to identify who that person is. Most networking events hand out badges for attendees to wear, so read them BEFORE you strike up a conversation. Have you ever met someone whom you thought you had a great connection with, just for them to make an obvious glance towards your name badge and then quickly leave? Not only is it rude and obnoxious, it’s also a complete waste of time for both of you.

3. Establish a Connection: Give someone a worthwhile reason to connect with you AND maintain that connection longer after the networking event ends. Show them why you’re worth knowing. Maybe both of you attended the same networking event a few months ago, use the same advertising agency, or both of you know the same person working in your company. Whatever connection you establish, just make sure that it’s something memorable and will make you stand out among other attendees.

4. Bring Lots of Business Cards: Your business card is the best branding tool for company YOU, so bring plenty. The best way to remember your contacts and to remind them of your connection during your follow-up, is to jot down a few notes on the back of their business card i.e. you both know Adam from your marketing department, your kids attend the same pre-school, you both used to work for an advertising agency before switching industries, etc. Having this “cheat sheet” will make it easier for you to follow-up after the networking event.

5. Follow Up: Don’t wait too long after the network event ends since you want to stay fresh in people’s minds. A good rule is to make sure you’ve contacted your contacts within 3 days of meeting. Calling is probably too much unless you really hit it off and have already agreed to meet up. Remember those notes that you wrote on the back of people’s business cards? Now is the time to use them during your follow-up. A brief email saying hello and reminding your contact of the interesting conversation you had, etc. should do the trick. Don’t forget to request a LinkedIn connection too!

Once your contact responds, you’re set to continue your relationship and hopefully reach your goal!

Stay tuned for more details on our next BBR networking event, scheduled for March 13th! We’re collaborating with BIW (Beauty Industry West) for the first time and it’s sure to be a hit!

Click here for more details on BBR 7