What Networking Events Should you attend this year…
The new year can be the perfect opportunity to reconsider what networking events and networking groups you should be attending this year. Not all networking events are created equal, so you will need to find potential events, choose ones that you think maybe worthwhile and then after trying them out, consider if they were worthwhile or if they were a waste of time.
01. Go to events that your current network is attending…
I always find it a good idea to have a couple of staple events in my calendar where I know my customers, clients or other current contacts will be going. It is both the perfect opportunity to catch up with existing contacts to build on those relationships as well as having the potential for meeting someone new.
Not sure where your contacts are currently hanging out? Ask them.
02. Go to events where you will meet your ideal customer or client…
Think about your current networking strategy. What leads are you looking for? If you are focusing on a particular project or a particular niche right now, your focus should be on events that will put you in front of that specific customer or relevant industry contacts.
03. Go to events where you will learn something.
Networking events where you can actually learn something such as CPD Seminars etc can be great for meeting industry contacts and of course, expanding your expertise.
04. Know what you want.
Once again, think about your networking strategy. You will have multiple objectives at any one time but by knowing what these objectives are, you can have a specific list of events for ticking off each of your objectives.
You might attend one event to find customers, another for personal/career development and another to meeting with referrals.
Consider the purpose of each event you attend. This will help you choose events more strategically.
05. Try a new event.
Sometimes the only way to find good networking events is to go and try it out. So just try something new!
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