March 20, 2014

Event Networking Tips 101

I recently hosted Cocktails and Connections networking event at K. Logan Hair Salon.  The place was jammed packed with Atlanta area business women and entrepreneurs.  I appreciate K. Logan for bringing all these beautiful women together to connect with one another.  Before the event was over, guest were asking about the next Cocktails and Connections event!  I will let you know when K. Logan hosts the next one.
With Kela from Naturally Kela, Birdie from Curvie Birdie, Kia, owner of K. Logan Hair and Tia from If I Were a Brit Girl.

If you have been reading my blog for a while (or a few months), you know Atlanta doesn't run short events.  There are like five a day!  It's good to get out and mingle with like-minded individuals, especially when you spend most of your time at home negotiating with a 3 year old.

Majority of the opportunities that have come my way are because relationships I made networking.  Networking doesn't mean being pushy or aggressive.  I'm neither of those.  I'm a people person, so I enjoy talking to strangers.  I wanted to share some of my networking tips for you to take for a spin the next time you are at an event.

  • Make it a goal to meet at least two new people.  Don't just hang on to the folks you already know.  Introduce yourself to someone new.  You can kick it off by saying, cute shoes, hair, etc.
  • Don't be too pushy.  If someone is giving you the "stank" face, just say hi and keep it moving.  
  • Don't be a people hog.  That is the worst!  If others are waiting to speak with someone, like a keynote speaker or celeb, don't tell them your life story.  Introduce yourself, get your picture and move to the left. 
  • Keep it professional at events.  This mama likes to have a drink or two while I'm out.  But getting drunk at an event is a no-no!  I know y'all watch Blood Sweat and Heels...
  • Make sure you follow up.  If you have a great conversation with someone, make sure you contact them as soon as possible.  At the minimum, send them a tweet to get the relationship going. 
  • Once you make a connection, don't be all "Gimme Gimme Gimme!"  A relationship should go both ways.  Bring something to the table as well.  Even something as simple as sharing someones post or event. 
That's basically how I roll.  How do you network?  Please share your tips in the comments. 


15 comments:

  1. Great tips Trina! I don't like to be pushy and I'll certainly keep these tips in mind at my next event! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. 2 people is VERY do-able! Great tips!

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  3. You have a beautiful daughter and your blog is cool

    www.auxcapricesdeflore.blogspot.com

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  4. I also do not like it when people give or want business cards without really talking to the person they are approaching. Cards are money and I do not want to waste mine.

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  5. Great tips, thanks for sharing!

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  6. HA!!!!! Your tips are so funny, but so accurate!! I hate people hogs and YES, i did watch blood, sweat and heels and too much drinking is just trifling!
    Tiffany
    @tristinandtyler

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  7. Great tips! It's so easy to hang with your people, especially when you encounter those giving the dreaded "stank" face. If I know there will be particular bloggers there, I check out some of their recent posts to have potential conversation starters.

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  8. Thanks for the tips. I was always an introverted type but I am working on being more outgoing and sociable. Thank you for always sharing your tips and experiences. You are genuine and I greatly appreciate that.

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  9. Great tip, Trina! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Great tips. They are too the point and needed. Sometimes we forget not to hog the keynote speaker or guest. lol

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  11. I need to work on all of these things! Great seeing you!

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  12. Really great tips! I'm not a social butterfly so sticking with who I know is kinda a crutch...but that two new people bit is do-able.

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  13. Great tips! I usually attend networking events by myself. To ensure that I actually interact with other people (For instance, I don’t call or make a huge announcement on social media asking “Are you going...” unless I’m trying to assist with promoting the event. **There’s nothing wrong with that** I just learned that the people I would attend with just stay in one area and don’t mingle) It feels like CT lacks networking events in my area, they happen maybe once a week. I’m constantly looking for new ones…

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  14. Thanks for sharing these tips! And I am loving this suit!

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