Making your mark: how to stand out at a networking event

Networking is all about building meaningful relationships. It’s not always about making a sales pitch or trying to get new clients. It needs a give and take attitude.

But that doesn’t mean you have to blend in with the crowd. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stand out at a networking event. In fact, it’s what you should be aiming for. You want other people at the event to remember you, whether that’s to refer clients, introduce to others in the industry, or simply build strong connections.

Here are our top tips to making your mark at a networking event.

Do your research

When it comes to networking, going in blind is a sure-fire way to risk getting lost in the group. Unless you’re the king of improv, winging it just isn’t going to help you forge meaningful connections with the people you meet. 

Before you go to an event, do your research. Find out how the event is done and who’s going to be there. If you’re really interested in a certain company, do your research on their Human Resource Representative, the company’s history, and be ready to start a good conversation.

It’ll show you’re making an effort to get to know the people and their businesses, which will make a great positive impact.

Show off your knowledge

You want people at the event to know you know your stuff. 

Whether it’s to learn new things about your industry, share their own knowledge and join in the conversation, or recommend you to a client who needs your services, establishing yourself as an industry thought-leader can really draw other professionals in. 

Help others

Remember, networking is all about give and take. And that doesn’t just mean in terms of what you can offer people professionally. If you’re more of an extrovert, take a look round the room to see if anyone’s sitting on their own. 

That person may be shy and want to be part of a group, but may have no idea on how to enter a conversation. Once you find out a little bit about that person, invite them to come with you so you can introduce them to someone else.

Be 100% all in

At a networking event, you want to be as engaging as possible. That means being as engaged as possible. Put your phone away so you can be completely present.  Be the first to approach someone rather than wait for others to come to you.

Really get involved in the conversation. Make eye contact, ask follow-up questions, be an active listener. If people feel you’re genuinely interested in what they’ve got to say, they’ll be much more likely to continue the conversation and meet with you again. Download our free Networking Checklist to help you in your networking adventures.

Looking for a networking group?

Whether you’ve just started your business and you’re looking to get your name out there, or you’re a growing business looking for other professionals to connect with, we’re here to help. At In Business, we’re all about helping business owners meet and connect, learn from and grow with each other.

To find out more about our networking meetings and events, give us a call today on 0113 3231333.