Networking is essential for business and personal growth…but approaching new connections feels intimidating.
Meeting new people in a professional setting can be both stressful and awkward. The pressure to make a strong first impression while also standing out in a sea of conversations can be overwhelming.
How do you genuinely maximize these opportunities and leave a memorable impression?
You’re about to learn why the keys to successful networking are all about how you prepare, how you introduce yourself, and how you nurture new connections.
This transforms initial one-off encounters into valuable, long-lasting, and mutually beneficial relationships.
Shout out to Tian Shi who gave us the idea to write on this topic at a recent networking event!
What topic would you be excited to read more about? Hit reply to let us know, and we’ll give you a shout out when we write about it in a future newsletter :)
Preparing to Network Effectively
Words we love: “You were born to win. To be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” – Zig Ziglar
Preparation is key to making the most of a networking event. Start by setting clear objectives, whether it’s finding new clients, learning from industry experts, or free food and booze, know what you want to achieve at each event.
Not sure what to wear? Dress as you hope to be perceived. That could mean your startup t-shirt with a blazer, your favorite Hawaiian shirt, or a traditional business casual outfit.
Next, craft a concise, natural elevator pitch to respond to the “what do you do?” question. Try using this 2-sentence template:
- Do you know how [problem or pain point you solve]?
- Well, what we do is [unique selling proposition].
Here’s what we use:
- Do you know how CEOs wear too many hats and juggle too many hair-on-fire problems?
- Well, Malloy Industries helps CEOs like that confidently delegate to vetted fractional executives, freeing up their time and boosting their business growth, all for a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee
Engaging Authentically During Networking Event
Networking doesn’t have to feel like schmoozing. Don’t approach each conversation like a sale because this kind of interaction will come off as disingenuous and can be a huge turn off.
Instead, start each conversation an opportunity to genuinely connect with others, make a new friend, and find a way to give first by offering value. It’s important to approach each person conversationally with authenticity and grace. Here’s how:
Breaking the Ice
Besides an overweight polar bear, a great way to break the ice is to comment on your shared surroundings or situation. These simple, situational remarks invite a response without feeling forced. For example, you might say:
- This venue is amazing. Have you been here before?
- That keynote was really inspiring. What did you think?
- I couldn’t help but notice your [interesting accessory]. Where did you get it?
Let’s remove the “what do you do?” question from your vocabulary. Instead, try a few of these icebreakers:
- What do you enjoy spending most of your time on? (opens the door for them to talk about something personal or professional that they care about…it’s our #1 opening question)
- What was a highlight from your past week/month/holiday? (invite them to share a positive story)
- How do you know the host/organizer/mutual friend? (learn more about how they’re connected to the event organizers)
Google Doc for Notetaking Part 1
Create a blank Google Doc on your phone that you can use throughout the event to jot down names, ideas, potential connections, and follow-up action items chronologically as the event unfolds. This live note taking document will transform your ability to follow-up quickly after the event. It looks like you are sending a quick text message as you write down brief notes after an interesting conversation with a new connection. By saving them here, you don’t have to rely on remembering everyone.
No Card? No Problem
When you wrap up a conversation with someone who doesn’t have a card, you can politely say “Well I’d love to follow up. Would you mind adding your contact info to my phone?” Then, open your contacts, make a blank one, hand over the phone, and be silent.
Is it a common move? No.
However, 100% of people I’ve talked to and politely asked them to do this have gladly done it. You can send a quick text or one-line email right then to remind them of your name and say it was great meeting them at this event/location.
The key is adding value on the front end, so they want to hear from you again in the future. Remember, the goal of every meeting is to get the next meeting :)
Setup Your Networking Follow-Up System The Malloy Way™
Exiting Gracefully
If you’re ready to move on from a conversation, politely ask, “Do you have a business card?” It’s a subtle yet effective way to signal that the conversation is wrapping up.
Pro Tip for Business Cards: Keep your business cards in your left pocket and store the cards you receive from people in your right pocket. This prevents any embarrassing mix-ups, like accidentally handing someone someone else’s card. Don’t be afraid to jot down notes on the cards you collect: write reminders about who they are, what they do, or ideas for follow-up.
Sometimes, they might offer to connect on LinkedIn instead.
Pro Tip for LinkedIn: If someone asks you to connect on LinkedIn, make them get out their LinkedIn QR code (open the app, tap the search bar, and tap the square in the top right of the search bar), so you can scan it and send them the request to connect. Then, immediately take a screenshot of their profile to remember your new contacts in chronological order. This is a hack for building your stack of virtual business cards.
Other ways to gracefully exit include:
- “I’m going to grab a drink refill.”
- “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
- Or, simply look at your phone and say, “Great to meet you! I need to take this…”
Tools and Techniques for Effective Follow-Ups
Capture Business Cards Efficiently
Before you get home, lay out all your new business cards and take a photo of them. You can fit 6 per photo and still be able to Zoom in for the details. Send it to your Virtual Assistant (VA) to put all their contact info into a spreadsheet.
Google Doc for Notetaking Part 2
Before you get home, re-read all the notes, contact info, and action items you wrote in your blank Google Doc. Add details about people you met and plans to follow up ASAP before you forget who and what you talked about. Send it to your Virtual Assistant (VA) to put all these notes in the same spreadsheet with the business cards for a central place with all your contacts, notes, and action items from the event. If you don’t have a VA and want a free trial for 20 hours to start to see the benefits, hit reply for an introduction to one of our partners that provide trustworthy VAs.
Mastering the Follow-Up
Following up after a networking event is essential. You don’t want to let the momentum fizzle out or risk the connection slipping away because the other person doesn’t remember you!
The last thing you want is to reach out, only to be ignored or greeted with, “Who’s this?” That’s why it’s best to follow up within 48 hours of the event. Acting quickly helps keep the connection fresh and ensures you remain top of mind.
Prioritization is key.
Pro Tip for After Events: Sort your collected cards by potential impact. Make it a goal to follow up with at least the top three connections. Here’s a simple follow-up email template:
Subject: Great to Meet You at [Event]!
Hi [Name],
It was great chatting at [Event] about [specific topic]! I’d love to continue our conversation.
Does one of these times work for a quick chat next week? [Insert Calendly link]
If not, please propose a few that do, and I’ll do my best to accommodate your schedule.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
Setup Your Networking Follow-Up System The Malloy Way™
Your Network Is Your Net Worth
Remember, successful networking isn’t about collecting the most business cards or racking up LinkedIn connections.
It’s about creating authentic relationships that are impactful and mutually beneficial, especially when you give first.
With these strategies, you’ll be able to navigate networking events confidently and make meaningful, lasting connections.
Want to find your next networking event to apply these principles?
Join me this Thursday, February 6th from 8am-12pm ET at the Big Idea CONNECTpreneur Baltimore Forum.
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help:
1) 1:1 CEO Coaching to lead your company more effectively and work through challenges. Email me if you’re interested because I only have 1 coaching spot open this year.
2) See if a Fractional Executive is right for you to scale your company with top-tier talent on your terms. No pressure to hire, just the chance to talk about your unique situation and interview 2 vetted candidates (plus a third on request) who could help.
3) Free Entrepreneur Roundtables for entrepreneurs seeking advice at any stage to come in with problems and leave with a new lens to examine their business, helpful DIY resources, and potential solutions. Join me on Wednesdays in October at 4pm ET on Zoom.