Looking to improve
your business contacts or find new people to mentor and inspire you? Unique
Client Solutions specialises in customer acquisitions and marketing and
whether we’re learning from people in our industry, or looking to make new
business contacts we love to network! Here are a few tips to become the best
networker in the room.
1. Pick your venue
Firstly make sure
you’re going to the right events. If you’re looking to get to know people
beyond your office or company then pick a larger meeting or networking event. If you're looking for a more intimate setting where you'll get to spend quality time with people then find something more suitable.
2. Dress appropriately
That doesn’t mean
necessarily mean dress flashily. You want to come across as smart and
professional. You should wear the same thing to networking events that you
would wear to an interview.
3. Arrive early and
stay late!
Unique Client
Solutions recommends that you prepare yourself for a long day. It’s never easy
to get chatting during meetings so you’re going to have to allocate time before
or after the meeting. Don’t plan your return travel for immediately after the
meeting is scheduled to end!
4. Pinpoint who you
want to approach
Are you looking to
find a support network at your own level, or are you looking to make an
impression on someone more senior? Is there someone who you know is having a
fantastic year and you want to learn from them? At Unique Client Solutions we
like to do our research before we go and have a few specific people in mind
that we want to spend time with.
5. Make contact with
key figures before events
If at all possible,
particularly with more senior people, it’s worth getting in contact with them
beforehand. You can mention that you’d love to chat to them for a few minutes
to discuss some specific points. That way you put yourself ahead of the crowd
before the meeting even starts.
6. Plan what you’re
going to say
At networking events
time is tight so it’s always a good idea to have an idea of what you want to
say. It’s easy to waste the few precious minutes with idle
chit-chat and before you know it they’ve moved onto someone else. Unique Client
Solutions would suggest that you jot down a few questions you want to ask.
7. Don’t forget your
business card!
You’re definitely
going to want to keep in touch with people you meet so make life easy for them
and you. Have plenty of business cards with you to hand out.
