5 essential tips to maximize your offline networking efforts

Making the most of your networking efforts

Have you ever gone to a networking event that seemed like it was going to be great, you attend, then leave finding that you didn’t find what you were looking for at all there?

Business professionals from all kinds of backgrounds often spend time networking inefficiently. Going to events with just a few of these tips in mind will help ensure that you make the most out of your two to three hour networking events.

1. Ask first, talk second

Always ask in every conversation what the other person is looking for first. Not only does this make others warm up to you, they will be more likely to connect with you on a personal and business level if you seem interested in helping them achieve their dreams, goals, and desires.

2. Remember to ask the Magic question

I remember a few conversations I’ve been in where I first meet someone and we have a conversation that is filled with small talk. No one is asking ‘what are you looking for? What do you need from me? What can I do to help you get it?’ Weeks later, I run across people I’ve met at prior networking events and we do get into that kind of conversation.

The interesting thing is that there are people all the time we meet that are standing right in front of us that have the keys to what we need to get the next job, further our companies and projects, but sometimes we forget to ask the right question. Without remembering to ask direct questions about what you need and what they need, a gold mine of a great business relationship could be walking away from you that had been in front of you the whole time. Don’t let it get away!

3. Becoming a resource

Always mention what makes you different and how you’re valuable to others. Sometimes building our dreams isn’t always straightforward. I remember lots of business opportunities for me have that have come from being introduced to a friend of mine that happened to be the perfect resource. So when I’m networking, I often tell others that I’m a connector type personality and that I can connect them to any kind of specialist they are looking for – not everyone can do that.

Later when I go home, I often get calls from people I met at the event earlier to assist them in some way and from then on, I’ve proven my value to them and in turn it’s more likely that I’m able to see in a more detailed way, to what extent they have an ability to assist me in achieving my business goals.

4. Have a system in place that works for you

Most networking events are very similar. There are always long lines to check in. You always go get a name tag. Most events have a bartender and food, etc. Since many aspects of networking events stay the same it’s more efficient if you plan out who you want to meet ahead of time (if an online RSVP list is available), plan out just a few questions that you will ask everyone then make sure you ask those questions.

It helps to be systematic when you’re networking like this, since you only have a limited time to network. Think about all kinds of ways you can get the most out of your short time there. Just one hour of pre-planning may yield up to five times greater networking results.

5. Make sure you’re prepared and have backups

I often come to networking events with an extra ballpoint pen for those random times people want to write something and their phone has died. I also carry an ample amount of business cards, and extra phone batteries (in case my phone dies). I bring a felt-tipped marker for those times they want to write on the back of my glossy business cards.

Being prepared and always having two backups for most situations will help ensure you can keep networking without interruption. I’ve seen people run out of business cards and run back to their car to get more, but risk missing out on networking time at the event so always bring backups for your most common event-stopper situations and you’ll have the most effective networking event possible.