Planning Successful Networking Events

It’s spring and that means consumers are cleaning out their house, doing yard work, home renovations and projects. This makes it a great time to get your business and the services you offer out there.

A great way to do so is by planning and attending networking events.

Networking events are a great way to connect with people. You get the opportunity to meet others in the industry and form personal and professional relationships.

So how do you plan a successful networking event?

First you need to define your goal.  While you’re trying to build business connections, you also exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge or even promoting a cause.

Then, think about your target audience and where you can host your event. Are you looking for a casual space or a more professional, sit-down environment?

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s a welcoming setting for your guests.

Once you reserve the venue, it’s time to start planning your agenda.

Setting a date and time that works for everyone is key. This means avoiding major holidays or other local events that may be going on.

Another good idea is to create a detailed schedule for your attendees.

Include information such as what businesses are attending so that they can be sure to stop and introduce themselves to those who they share interest with. Parallel to this, creating name tags for attendees can make it easier for people to connect.

Once your ideas are on paper and you feel you are ready to go, it’s time to start promoting the networking event. 

Using social media, emails, newsletters, even flyers are all great ways to get the word out there.

If you’re using a form online for registration, offer early bird discounts or incentives to encourage early registration.

There are even some digital applications out there that allow attendees to see who else is participating ahead of time.

Finally, your guests have arrived.

Make sure to help lighten the mood.  This will help get the conversations flowing.

Leaving time for questions at the end can also lead to low hanging fruit and opportunities for your business.

Once your networking event has wrapped up, it’s a good idea to collect feedback.

This helps you understand what worked well or what could be improved. But be sure to stay open-minded and accept any feedback to better meet the needs of your attendees in the future.  Don’t forget to thank your guests for coming.

Building a strong network of contacts can provide support, advice, and insights that help grow your personal and professional life.

Hey, you may have to step out of your comfort zone but remember you’re building on goals and pursuing your aspirations.