Whether you are a small business owner or have been working as an independent freelancer for a few years already, it’s always a good idea to attend networking events. There are so many benefits that networking can bring you, but the most attractive one has to be all of the fantastic connections you might make. You never know who you will rub shoulders with and who could help you find your next brilliant professional opportunity, so it’s always a good idea to try to meet as many people as you can.
There is no denying that attending your very first networking event can be very daunting, though. As long as you follow all of these useful tips, you should find that you make a very good impression indeed!
Introduce Yourself
First of all, you need to make sure that you are a social butterfly at these events and approach as many people as possible. Don’t be a wallflower and expect someone to come over to you – there is no guarantee that they will do that. If you are quite shy, then it could be a good idea to take a look at lanyardsfactory.com.au and buy a lanyard that you can put a nametag in. You might find that more people are encouraged to approach you if they already know your name!
Smile More
The key to networking is being smiley and approachable. The friendlier you look, then the more people will want to talk to you and listen to what you have to say. So, make sure that you smile plenty at every networking event that you attend! This is also a great way to show others that you are interested in everything that they are telling you. If they think you are interested in them, then you might find that they are a lot more likely to listen to you!
Hand Out Your Business Card
If you don’t already have any business cards printed for your business, it’s worth taking a look at theprintco.com.au to see what offers are available to you. Once you’ve got a new set of cards, make sure you take them with you to the networking event. You can then hand out one to everyone who you meet. They will then have your contact details and won’t forget who you were so easily!
Don’t Push For The Hard Sell
One of the main mistakes that many business professionals commit at networking events is trying to sell themselves too much. So, don’t just talk about your business and its advantages to clients when you are chatting to someone. It’s a good idea to throw in a bit of small talk and some chat about things other than business. This will let your human side come through, which is something that many clients want from the business that they work with these days. Nowadays, many people don’t want to work with over corporate and sterile organizations anymore!
Hopefully, you will win some more clients at your first networking event!
