Early in my 20s, I entered a room of a professional networking group full of mostly males at least twice or three times my age. Knowing just what I wanted, I arrived at this event. I wanted to meet possible corporate investors who could enable me to expand my company.
There were practically any women at professional networking events at the time, so I used to routinely network inside well-developed networks—also known as old guys clubs.
I just discovered it online, paid for it, and arrived at this event without knowing a soul. You felt small and inferior when you first entered the room, but I knew I was on a mission and there was nothing going to stop me. I so resolved to be strategic and perceptive.
I am writing about this one solitary occurrence more than ten years later since it altered the course of my career. What therefore did I do at this occasion that turned my life around?
1. Get To Know The Host Of The Event
The host asked me questions on what I do and what I am seeking for initially, therefore addressing this event. Telling the host exactly what I did and what I was seeking for in my soft but forceful voice, This let the host know my needs and begin to link me with the appropriate folks in the room.
2. Know Why You Are Networking
Knowing exactly why I was at this specific event and who I needed to contact helped me to succeed at this particular event.
Being assertive about what you are searching for and having a clear aim helps a woman in business networking either online or in-person. If you are not very clear on your goals or who your ideal contacts are, you will most likely waste a lot of time and walk away from the event with no results or valuable contacts that could lead to new prospects since many events can be packed and feature a variety of people.
Knowing exactly what I was searching for, I entered this event certain of my eventual result.
3. Create A Clear Conscious Introduction Or Pitch
Early in my 20s, I established my first company—a creative water filtration and vending machine for colleges and institutions meant to cut plastic waste. I used to go three to five events per week. By the time I went to what might have been a somewhat frightening event, I already knew my pitch, I already had professional brochures with me and I knew precisely how to get my message across in a way that was compelling enough for people to ask further questions.
4. Look Around The Room, Pay Attention, And Probe With Wonderful Questions
Though I am not naturally someone who uses too many words, I am a fantastic listener, which comes rather helpful in networking. When you are networking, take time to look around the room, pay attention to the current discussions, read people's body language, and when you do find the chance to jump in and network, probe interesting questions and start new dialogues. Inquiring inquiries let people shine and everyone enjoys discussing themselves. This allows you to learn about them and return with a well placed comment or introduction.
Writing a follow-up email later is another excellent approach to finish networking. This helps you keep top of mind both continuously interacting with and remembering the individuals you wish to network with. See this post for other ideas on crafting a great follow-up email. You may also read this: 10 Tips For Early Stage Startup
5. Always Be Poised For Opportunity
Something happened during this occasion that changed our lives. The event host, Raimonda, told me last-minute that I should connect you to someone with more than thirty years of professional expertise in the field you are seeking help for. He would be fantastic for your company and invests as well.
My heart fell right that second; I grinned and said I was ready. Moments later, I was talking to my most crucial contact yet. He turned around, though, and said, "I'm so sorry; I just have two minutes and have to leave to catch my train." I replied no trouble, handed him my brochure, made a little pitch, then left.
After this experience, I expected nothing, but to my astonishment few days later I get an email from his assistant. John would very much like to meet you, Raimonda.
This was the turning point in my working life. Making this one connection during this event landed me far more than I had anticipated. It did not result in an investment, but it did provide me a mentor covering all business and investing topics. He imparted all I could possibly need knowledge on expanding and running a company. He imparted what I must know about locating and approaching investors. He taught me so much including how to structure my company suited for investment.
This one conference let me work with some of the most incredible digital businesses in London and sit at round tables with Venture Capital firms with millions and billions of dollars under their belts.
Although my first company might have never made the investment I would have wanted, one event—one meeting—has provided me experience and post-first-failure career path I sorely needed.
One incident has set me on a road of building women in business networking events and this very community.
Thus, today I want you to be constant and be ready to network; open yourself to possibilities and create more significant relationships.
