Networking events are the perfect opportunities to connect with other professionals, discover potential business partnerships and grow your professional network. However, building meaningful and lasting business relationships requires more than just a quick hello and exchanging business cards. Below, we’ve taken a look at why networking events are ideal for building business relationships, and five things you need to do to make a lasting impact.
Why Networking Events are Perfect for Building Business Relationships
When you attend a networking event, you’ll find yourself surrounded by business leaders and professionals from a whole host of industries, creating an environment that’s full of potential business relationships for you to make. You’ll have access to decision makers, industry leaders, investors and potential customers, all in one place. These people can be hard to reach otherwise, and you certainly won’t find them all hanging out in the same place.
Whereas sending an unsolicited email and hoping for the best has very little chance of success, networking in-person enables you to connect with others instantly. Networking events give you the chance to showcase what you have to offer, such as your expertise, products and services. It’s easier to build business relationships at networking events because connecting in-person is a lot more impactful and memorable.
How to Get the Most Out of Networking Events
If you want to get the most out of a networking event – and connect with others in a way that’s going to continue once the event is over – you need to know how to build business relationships that last. The key is to approach networking with making strong connections as your focus, and put effort into growing those connections in the days, weeks and months following the event.
Approach Networking as Being Mutually Beneficial
A lot of business leaders make the mistake of assuming that networking is all about getting as much as you can out of others, but you need to provide value to others too. Whether it’s sharing helpful insights, introducing one business leader to another, or providing useful resources, being helpful shows others that you’re willing to give back to the community. This helps to build trust, and it showcases you as someone that others should want to connect with. By positioning yourself as a valuable resource, you become a connection that others purposely seek out. It shows that your business relationship will be reciprocal, making others more interested in what you have to say.
Have Authentic Conversations
You’re not going to get the most out of networking events if you go in with a transactional, ‘how can this benefit me’ mindset. Instead, go in with the goal of having authentic, real conversations with other business leaders. Take the time to ask thoughtful questions, listen to what others are saying and show that you have a genuine interest in the person you’re speaking to. Instead of simply pitching your services or products, focus on finding out more about the needs and goals of others. Who knows, you might have something to offer them. Ask questions about their work, challenges and interests, and understand more about who they are, what they do and what they’re looking to get out of networking. By doing so, you’ll create a stronger connection and make the interaction more memorable.
Follow Up After the Event
There’s a common misconception that networking happens in the moment, that a connection needs to be made at the event. Though this is where building business relationships starts, lasting relationships are strengthened in the days, months and years following that first meeting. This is why it’s so important to follow up with people after networking events. You can do this by sending a personalised email or LinkedIn message a few days after meeting, referencing your conversation and suggesting that you stay in touch. Following up shows professionalism and that you have a genuine interest in building a connection with the other person. Plus, providing value when you follow up – for example, by sharing an article related to something you discussed – reinforces your commitment to the relationship.
Be Consistent with Networking
Building strong business relationships takes time and consistency; it’s by no means a one time thing. With a lot of networking going on at an event, and business leaders leading busy lives, you need to make sure they remember you. Stay in touch with people you’ve connected with by sharing industry news that’s relevant to them, congratulating them on their achievements, or just by checking in periodically and seeing what they’ve been up to. Being consistent reinforces your commitment to the relationship. You could even set reminders to follow up with key contacts every few months. It’s also a good idea to engage with them in meaningful ways, rather than just by email or LinkedIn message. For example, by inviting them to an exclusive event.
Use Social Media to Keep Connections Strong
Don’t forget, networking doesn’t end when the event itself is over, it just moves onto social media. Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn or other relevant social media platforms to continue the conversation. Engaging with their content, commenting on posts and sharing information helps to build strong business relationships that go beyond the initial in-person meeting. Social media provides an easy way for you to maintain visibility and relevance within your professional circle. By regularly interacting with your network online, you strengthen relationships and position yourself as a valuable contact to have in the industry.
At The Directors Box, we’ve seen for ourselves how beneficial networking can be, which is why we’re dedicated to hosting networking events designed with business leaders in mind. At our events, you can connect with fellow business leaders in intimate settings and build strong, meaningful professional relationships. Get in touch to find out more.
