Episodes

The next three episodes of the podcast is a 3-part series on getting back to in-person networking after Covid. Whether you’re a networking newbie, or you just need to sharpen those networking skills, I’m going to share some tips to help you find events, prepare for them, and what to do to follow up and make the most of your connections. Part 1 of the series is all about how to find and prepare for networking events. In this episode, I’ll go over everything you need to know from defining your networking goals, how to find networking events in your city, to background checking the event and preparing for the day of the event.

Show Transcript

INTRO

In March 2020, right before the pandemic was announced, my calendar was jam-packed with networking events. It was International Women’s Day, which is my biggest networking week, and then…there was nothing. Events were cancelled. Life as we knew it stopped. And soon, everything shifted to online. 

But now we’re finally getting back to networking in person since the start of Covid-19. You’re probably feeling a little rusty, maybe even anxious. I have to admit, I am too. Whether you’re a networking newbie, or you just need to sharpen those networking skills, I’m going to share some tips to help you find events, prepare for them, and what to do to follow up and make the most of your connections.

If you listened to my last episode, you’ll know all about why networking is important. The main thing to remember about networking is that you are building meaningful connections and learning about other people. You may have to step out of your comfort zone, but it will ultimately help you grow. Even if you’re an introvert, or you think you’re not good at networking (which is probably not true, by the way), networking is a powerful tool to help you change the trajectory of your career and life.

It may not be easy at first — it’s called net-work-ing because there is work involved. In the next three episodes, I am going to give you the confidence and tools you need to make new, life-changing connections. Together, we’re going to prepare you for your upcoming in-person events and help you step into your best, most fearless networking self. 

Okay, now you’re convinced. Let’s start. 

Why You Need to Define Your Networking Goals

Before attending an event, you need to determine your goal. Do you simply want to reconnect with people because you haven’t seen them in a long time? Are you looking for new business opportunities? A mentor? No matter what the goal, make sure it’s specific. 

For example, decide on a set number of events you’re going to attend in the next quarter, or how many people you want to meet at each event. From my experience, 2-3 is a good amount. Focus on building genuine connections. If you’re unsure what your goal is, that’s okay too — sometimes, a goal can be as simple as making new friends. 

How to Find Networking Events in Your City 

So, you’ve determined your goal. Now it’s time to figure out where these people who can help actually hang out. The first and simplest way is to Google “Networking Events” in your area and see what comes up. You can also search LinkedIn and Twitter using a hashtag like #TorontoNetworkingEvent. If you “follow” these hashtags, they’ll show up on your feed and you can receive notifications when someone uses them. 

Another great way to find networking events is word of mouth. Ask around in your social circles or with your colleagues. You may know that I curate a list for women’s networking events in Toronto. You can find the link to my list in the show notes (https://iamdespina.com/toronto-women-empowerment-events). I also have a list of Toronto women’s organizations, which is also in the show notes (https://iamdespina.com/toronto-womens-organizations/). 

Lastly, sites like Eventbrite and Meetup have a ton of networking events listed. Meetup is similar to Eventbrite but more community-oriented, which is why I prefer it. In fact, I have just created a Meetup group called Connect and Bloom – Ladies Who Lunch. I typically have 4-8 people at every event. It’s so much easier to connect in a more intimate setting. Feel free to join us any time. 

You can also check out your local library, alumni organizations, co-working spaces, or local boards of trade. Always make sure that the events you’re choosing align with the goal that you’ve defined.  

How to Background Check the Event

Now that you’ve found a few events that sound interesting and align with your goals, you need to do some background checking. Always read the description of the event and see if it sounds interesting. You’ll also want to research who is organizing the event, the location, the speakers or panelists. Is there an attendee list so you can see who may be going? Make sure there are going to be like-minded people who you’ll want to get to know. 

How to Prepare for the Event

You’ve defined your goal, you’ve found an event that looks interesting, now what? Preparation is key to helping calm your nerves and make the most out of your experience. 

If you were able to find an attendee list, this is a great place to start. Look up a few of the guests on LinkedIn and see if they are people you’d want to meet. You can also search the hashtag for the event on Twitter if there is one. Or tweet that you’ll be attending. I’ve always made connections that way. Once, I was at an event in the UK, and I saw that three other Canadians were also attending. We introduced ourselves and have stayed in touch to this day. 

Before the event, prepare an “awesome list.” I learned this from networking expert Julie Brown, author of This Shit Works and who was also a guest on my podcast. So often, people think they are uninteresting, which is just not true. Julie explains that by making a list of all the things that make you awesome, it reminds you of everything you have to offer. Get specific and create a story for each item on the list — it can be anything from being a great dog mom, to a black-diamond skier. Before the event, scan the list to remind yourself of your awesomeness.

Remember how networking is all about building relationships? We always hear the phrase, “prepare an elevator pitch,” but it can come across as a bit self-serving. Instead, I recommend preparing a brief introduction about what you do, but don’t make it sound contrived and be able to adapt it to whoever you are talking to. 

Lastly, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date. If it’s not, fix it up before the event. If you need some advice on how to improve your LinkedIn, listen to my podcast episode with LinkedIn profile writer Leslie Hughes for some great tips. 

Tune in to episode two where I cover what to do the day of and during the networking event. 

Thanks for tuning in to Connect and Bloom — a podcast that empowers women to master the art of networking and make life-changing connections. Got a burning question about networking? Share it below, or shoot me an email at despina@connectandbloom.com If you want to explore this topic further, head on over to the Connect and Bloom website, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, or — if you haven’t already — subscribe to this podcast. Be sure to connect ~ and bloom ~ with me again in our next episode!