Networking at Events: 5 intelligent ways to master the building of Powerful Connections

A social skill that everyone must possess in today’s world is the skill of networking. You have probably not discovered that networking at events has transcended just exchanging names and making contacts with other attendees at one event or another. It has actually grown to be an effective tool for both professional and personal development. Networking at events encourages collaboration, introduces fresh perspectives, and creates opportunities for individuals.

On the other hand, when events are organized for any specific goal, it helps to bring together varied kinds of people with the same or diverse interests, communities, businesses, and preferences to a single point. This opportunity opens up the possibilities of sharing, expressing, and learning by interested attendees. It is, however, not out of place to say that the best place to build meaningful connections is at an event

In this article, we will explore ways through which you can build rewarding connections by putting to use the social skill of networking at events.

Let’s begin by examining the following ways you can deploy to master the art of networking at an event:

Start with, why networking at events?

Asking why will set you on a thinking trip and make you unravel many other facts that you probably have never thought about. Asking why you want to network may sound trivial, but seriously, it helps you set the tone right; it will make you separate wishes from reality and prepare your heart for the real deal. Considering the thoughts of Venturefizz “When we start asking why, we’re able to determine if we’re on the right track or if we’re able to push the boundaries further and explore more deeply before we make decisions”.

Psychologists say that, although asking why may seem accusatory, it helps us better.

Defining your personal goals and purpose

While this next factor may seem the same as the above factor “Ask why”, the difference is that asking why helps you to get your mindset and defining your goals helps you to determine what personal or business goals of yours align with the reason for networking.  You might begin the journey to mastering the art of networking by defining your goals and purpose before taking any action.

Life may have been designed so that not everyone is heading in the same direction, so values and vision differ. You must be able to define for yourself what your life’s and business goals are. According to Dr. Myles Monroe, this singular effort will help you differentiate distractions from motivations.

At this point, you must understand that not all people or organizations will fit into or support your goal. As a matter of fact, your goal and purpose are the deciding factors. In essence, effective networking at events starts with identifying the people or organizations you want to connect with. It entails identifying those who have the potential to form productive partnerships. This might be colleagues in the same industry, future customers, mentors, or partners.

Active listening and asking relevant questions

At this point, you have to approach the event with an attitude of listening actively to understand and take the best decisions. Active listening is a skill that must be developed because effective communication is built on it. Beyond only hearing what is said, it also involves interpreting and carefully responding to what is said. You can pick up on details, emotions, and unspoken signals if you pay the speaker your full attention.

On the other hand, asking relevant questions demonstrates the willingness to understand details, foster connection, and perhaps stimulate meaningful dialogue when necessary. It also serves as a guide for conversations towards a mutual understanding of shared perspectives.  Asking relevant questions to your intended networks can help you develop trust and shared interest between each other, which is an integral ingredient of a relationship.

Leveraging technology for enhanced networking at events

Leveraging technology for an enhanced network involves using technological tools such as event apps, social media, and other online platforms to enhance engagement and simplify communication for both the organizer and the participants. Mostly, networkers can interact or engage in real-time and share ideas, interests, pictures, and other documents.

In addition, technology helps us trigger networking opportunities even before or after the events, using social media platforms, business and industry forums, and pre-event gatherings.  It also creates an atmosphere that motivates visitors to engage in conversation and networking at the event.

Nurturing the connections and follow-up

The reason you want to network is really to sustain a long lasting relationship that will transcend just exchanging of contacts to becoming business partners, co-creators, mentors, mentees, etc. Following this, it is essential that there are sustained efforts to nurture the nascent relationship. This can be done by writing personalized messages and thanking them for giving your audience, sharing contacts, and being willing to connect with you.

Ensure that you keep sharing valuable content and scheduling breakfast meetings, launch meetings, and/or dinner meetings to consolidate the friendship.

In conclusion, this social skill of networking needs to be deliberate, planned, and done with the intention to grow and create more opportunities.