Will we like each other is the question? In my experience of conference it doesn't take long to find common ground, it begins with small talk, then light discussions on our work background and whom we represent, then we find common amusements and finally deep discussion about policy and politics.
When I am networking I have to go into a specific 'mode' to do it successfully. I love nothing more than meeting new people and finding out what floats our boats, our similar views and our agendas for the future.
I paid attention to the art of 'successful networking' on this particular conference and tried to stay in a mode / frame of mind, which I realised worked best. I am not saying I was fake, actually the opposite, I find I make the best progress in making connections, friends and colleagues when I am my 'best me' - smiley, fun, reactionary, interested and interesting. I actually imagine myself to have the attitude of a beautiful French woman in a coffee advert, she got something which turns heads and captures the attention of every person as she saunter light footed, swinging her bag over her shoulder, into a 1930's café. She would do something like I wink at the waiter as she pinched a lolly from the counter!! Too much??? It May sound absurd but confidence is a perception and whatever makes you stand tall and walk with a spring in your step will work.
I start the conference with a dignified, quiet and humble disposition, happy to talk and make friends with new people, but I don’t let myself seem over confident. I am working out who is who and who are friends with whom. Quite often a conference is full of clicks and old friends so I see how people are reacting to each other. It doesn't take long to work out who are the important, who are the shy and who are the alphas or 'most fun'. I make sure I meet these key people.
When I am networking I have to go into a specific 'mode' to do it successfully. I love nothing more than meeting new people and finding out what floats our boats, our similar views and our agendas for the future.
I paid attention to the art of 'successful networking' on this particular conference and tried to stay in a mode / frame of mind, which I realised worked best. I am not saying I was fake, actually the opposite, I find I make the best progress in making connections, friends and colleagues when I am my 'best me' - smiley, fun, reactionary, interested and interesting. I actually imagine myself to have the attitude of a beautiful French woman in a coffee advert, she got something which turns heads and captures the attention of every person as she saunter light footed, swinging her bag over her shoulder, into a 1930's café. She would do something like I wink at the waiter as she pinched a lolly from the counter!! Too much??? It May sound absurd but confidence is a perception and whatever makes you stand tall and walk with a spring in your step will work.
I start the conference with a dignified, quiet and humble disposition, happy to talk and make friends with new people, but I don’t let myself seem over confident. I am working out who is who and who are friends with whom. Quite often a conference is full of clicks and old friends so I see how people are reacting to each other. It doesn't take long to work out who are the important, who are the shy and who are the alphas or 'most fun'. I make sure I meet these key people.
The first night I don't stay up to late but am not the first to leave either. Next morning at breakfast, I am smiley and greet everyone I recognise, even if I haven’t spoken to them yet. I sit at an already occupied table, asking if they stayed up late, slept well etc. Then ask questions even if I know the answer, like... Do you know what is happening today? What time are we starting, not only does it create conversation, but it makes the questioned feel helpful and knowledgeable.
The night before I have established who the member of the party is who people feel most drawn to, it is more often than not, the most fun person. I try to stay close to them, sit near them and start conversations. If you are subtle and friendly, the rest of the conference members may now see you in the same way! They, hopefully, will be drawn to you and want to converse with you... At this conference it worked for me and now I am in a good position. I haven’t been fake but I have been observant and made the most of the members.
The next evening I stayed up a little later, being careful to not over do it, have fun with the other delegates, make jokes and have a few drinks. If drinking alcohol, it is very very important not to get drunk! One you will probably make a fool of yourself and loose all the respect you have worked hard at building but you will feel so awful the next day that the conference workshops will be pointless and your communication skills will be minimal... May as well go home!!!
The more open and myself I am the quicker and the better I get to know the delegate. I make genuine good friendships within hours. If you are lagging (networking is exhausting as it takes mental and physical alertness), take a deep breath sit up straight and tall and smile… works every time.
Top tips for conference networking. Smile, be interested in the people, ask questions and occasionally act slightly aloof or busy. Always swap as many business cards as possible and write on the ones you receive something about the person who gave it to you, guaranteed you will forget whose card is who otherwise. On the final day you can hand out information on your projects and company, this way the people you meet will be much more likely to be interest in your documents as they now know who you are, also they can read them on the journey home.
Always follow up every connection with an ‘it was great to meet you’ email, and say let's stay in touch- and mean it!
The night before I have established who the member of the party is who people feel most drawn to, it is more often than not, the most fun person. I try to stay close to them, sit near them and start conversations. If you are subtle and friendly, the rest of the conference members may now see you in the same way! They, hopefully, will be drawn to you and want to converse with you... At this conference it worked for me and now I am in a good position. I haven’t been fake but I have been observant and made the most of the members.
The next evening I stayed up a little later, being careful to not over do it, have fun with the other delegates, make jokes and have a few drinks. If drinking alcohol, it is very very important not to get drunk! One you will probably make a fool of yourself and loose all the respect you have worked hard at building but you will feel so awful the next day that the conference workshops will be pointless and your communication skills will be minimal... May as well go home!!!
The more open and myself I am the quicker and the better I get to know the delegate. I make genuine good friendships within hours. If you are lagging (networking is exhausting as it takes mental and physical alertness), take a deep breath sit up straight and tall and smile… works every time.
Top tips for conference networking. Smile, be interested in the people, ask questions and occasionally act slightly aloof or busy. Always swap as many business cards as possible and write on the ones you receive something about the person who gave it to you, guaranteed you will forget whose card is who otherwise. On the final day you can hand out information on your projects and company, this way the people you meet will be much more likely to be interest in your documents as they now know who you are, also they can read them on the journey home.
Always follow up every connection with an ‘it was great to meet you’ email, and say let's stay in touch- and mean it!
Happy networking!
