Get the Most From Your Social Networking Events

Part of being a member of the social media marketing community means you’re likely to attend a number of social media events. Traditionally the events are a great opportunity to network and learn from other members of the industry. Having been to a number of them myself, I’ve come up with a few tips for how to get the most out of networking events.

1. Immediately Connect on Twitter. When you meet someone at an event and follow them, take time to quickly browse through their tweet stream and read their bio. It will only take you a minute, and will give you a platform for conversation. Because you may not be able to recognize the value of your new connection in that initial meeting, take an extra minute to bump to exchange information. I follow my new connection’s conversation for a few days after the event, and if they say something I’d like to hear more about, I shoot them a text or DM to meet up for coffee. Brainstorm and learn from each other. I’ve forged great relationships and learn from some of the best in the biz this way.

2. Don’t Get Drunk. As obvious as it sounds, there is always someone that pushes the open bar a little too far, and without a doubt regret it the next day. I’m ashamed to say, I’ve been that person. Undoubtedly it damaged a few connections and made people second guess me, even if they say otherwise. I promise you, that martini was so not worth it. You don’t want to wake up the next day to DM concerns from your network (or from your new connections), or scroll the Tweet stream of shame. Just. Not. Worth. It.

3. Don’t Go For the Food. This can be tied with number two. When you get intoxicated, you lose inhibitions and shamelessly gorge. Think about people you’ve seen hit the buffet table a little too hard at events? What did you think? Maybe nothing, but you don’t want it to be what prohibits you from conversation or gives people a reason (as silly/judgemental as it may sound) to think less of you.

4. Set a Goal to Meet at Least 10 New People. You never know who’s in the room or where those connections might be tomorrow. Setting a goal of 10ish people (make a decent amount of time to speak with each person) may help your network grow exponentially over time. Again, you never know who knows who or who may be able to help you later down the road.

5. Think of Three Interesting Conversation Points. I have been called out more than once by my peers for approaching networking events as too much of a PR personality. I almost always starting conversations with, “What do you do?” Bo-ring. You’ll find out what they’ll do throughout the course of conversation or they’ll ask you. Let them ask. Stand out by asking something different.Think of interesting things to say that will help them remember you later. Consider current events (not political conversation). Talk about your bento box trial. Or tell them about a fantastic new place you found to bring your laptop and get a bite (I’m always looking for new places to workshift, so that would be worthwhile to me).

6. Don’t Be Judgmental. I’ll admit, guilty. We’ve all done it, when we do #1 (follow someone or friend someone) we check to see how many friends and followers they have and use that as a measurement of their value. Just because someone only has 10 followers on Twitter, doesn’t mean they’re not interesting.

After my shameful drinking networking kerfuffle, I started to give a lot of thought to how to get the most from my professional networking events. And while these tips  are all easy (maybe even obvious),  have helped me get so much more out of my meetups (and a lot less embarrassment). So get out there and start networking!