You’re going to a conference. How can you network effectively?

Events are a great place to meet people when done with intention. But I think so many people waste time trying to meet everyone. Usually, I think about the ROI drivers behind going to the event first and what would make it valuable as an outcome and show up to the content sessions where those people would hang out. For instance, at SaaStr, I went to learn about customer experience and success, listened to a panel, and then went up after and asked the panelists questions, where I changed my search criteria and immediately found our VP of Client Services who had led 3 post-sales organizations. Knowing what you want out of each event enables you to find the right people, ask the right questions, and convert on what you're trying to do.

When attending a conference, remember that everyone is there to learn, network, and grow their business. The best approach is to introduce yourself and be kind. If you feel intimidated, know that others likely feel the same, and you can become their ally in this new experience. Put on your extrovert hat and don't hesitate to engage!

Successful people in all walks of life find preparation is the key to success. When you begin any process, it is far better to build a plan and adapt as you go along. View the speakers, topics, suppliers etc., and build an itinerary that ticks off everything you want to do, leaving time for those unexpected opportunities you stumble across once there.

→ Muestra un interés genuino en los demás: Haz preguntas y aprende sobre sus experiencias e intereses. → Ofrece tu ayuda: Si puedes ofrecer ayuda a alguien, hazlo. Esto te ayudará a construir relaciones y crear una buena impresión. → Participa en las sesiones y eventos: Asiste a las sesiones que te interesen y participa en las discusiones. Esta es una excelente manera de conocer gente con intereses similares. → Asiste a los eventos de networking: La mayoría de las conferencias ofrecen eventos de networking como recepciones, cenas o cafés. Estos eventos son una excelente oportunidad para conocer gente nueva en un ambiente informal.

Der ideale Pitch fasst deine Arbeit in einem Satz zusammen und beschreibt sie in ihrer Tätigkeit. Das ist der perfekte Eisbrecher, um danach in ein lösungsorientiertes Gespräch zu starten, wie die eigene Arbeit Bedarfe erfüllt.

→ Define tus objetivos: ¿Qué quieres lograr con la conferencia? ¿Conocer gente nueva, encontrar oportunidades de trabajo, aprender sobre nuevas tendencias? → Investiga: Investiga la agenda de la conferencia, los oradores y los asistentes. Busca personas con las que te gustaría conectar e identifica las sesiones y eventos que te interesen. → Prepara tu "elevator pitch": Un resumen breve y conciso de tu experiencia, habilidades e intereses. Practica para poder presentarte de manera efectiva. → Lleva tarjetas de presentación: Ten a mano muchas tarjetas de presentación para intercambiar con las personas que conozcas. Asegúrate de que incluyan tu información de contacto actualizada y tu sitio web o perfil de LinkedIn.

Communication is huge, and while what we say is important, there are ways in which we communicate that are nonverbal. Have open body language. Maintain eye contact. Don’t cross your arms. Expose your palms. Before you step into a room, take a long pause. Think about your tone. Consider the pitch of your voice. Relax your facial muscles. If you have SBF make sure the corners of your mouth are curved upwards. Lastly, consider the distance between you and the other person. Research shows that more Americans feel more comfortable with an 18-inch distance. Others are close talkers. As such, consider your breath. If someone steps away from you, don’t step closer head on but approach them from the side.