Tips to Power Networking

How many times have you attended conferences and felt excited at the outset, only to leave feeling disappointed and wondering if you should have been doing something else instead, or spent your registration money elsewhere? An excellent article in the October issue of The New York Enterprise Report by Liz Lynch highlights 7 tips for networking at conferences. Here is a summary:
1. Consider events outside your industry. While you may always attend your annual industry trade show event, you should broaden your horizons and consider other events that will enable you to do cross marketing.
2. Clarify your goals. If you decide beforehand what your main goals are, it will help you decide what speakers to meet and breakout sessions to attend, as well as keynotes if there are multiple sessions.
3. Don't sell. Most industry experts agree that conferences are intended to foster real relationships and not sales pitches. It's better to make a good impression, and the selling can come later.
4. Focus your discussions. While it's nice to make small talk, find out why others are attending the conference and what they hope to get out of it. You may discover common ground, or ways to partner with someone else.
5. Get the right people to come to you. By speaking up at sessions, asking questions, and making it known to others what you do, you will attract more people.
6. Ask organizers for help. Don't be shy about asking conference organizers and staff for help, by asking for an introduction to a speaker or sponsor.
7. Get out of the conference venue. Take advantage of excursions and other convention activities which will take you to a new venue, such as a show or a restaurant. You never know who you might meet.