5 Habits To Build Before Every Networking Event

How you prepare for an event can make or break how productive or worthwhile it is for you.

In this edition, we look at 5 pre-event habits to help you ensure it is.

It’s the difference between walking out having had some fantastic conversations.

You know, with that excited feeling of potential opportunity and collaboration to explore?

To aimlessly wandering around an event, lingering in conversations too long, and leaving feeling like it was a waste of time.

Unfortunately, many networkers still think networking starts when you walk through the door of an event.

Networking requires your time.

So let’s explore habits you can build to help maximise how you are investing life's most precious commodity when attending events.

Firstly, let’s compare Networker A and Networker B.

Networker A

They have:

• Not researched the event
• Turned up without knowing what to expect
• No idea who will be there
• Not planned their time or day around the event

Compared to Networker B

They have:

• Researched the guest list
• Reached out to other attendees
• Engaged with existing connections attending
• Planned meetings around the event
• Know what to expect at the event

Who is more likely to maximise their time networking?

Which networker would you like to be?

Here are 5 pre-event habits to build to be more like Networker B:

1. Research the guest list

Firstly, the guest list is not a hit list.

Don’t just focus on all the new people you can ‘target’.

You’re networking here, not hunting.

When reviewing a guest list, consider The 3 Who’s Framework:

• Who is someone new I connect with?
• Who can I reconnect or catch up with?
• Who can I connect together?

If the organiser hasn’t sent you one, ask them.

If they don’t want to send you one, ask yourself if you should be attending that event.

Any good event organiser should want their attendees to prepare well by knowing who else is attending.

2. Plan your time before and/or after the event

Turn it from a networking event, to a networking day.

Can you meet or visit a client, prospect, or connection nearby before or after the event?

Or how about a pre or post event meeting with another attendee?

Find a suitable setting either at the event venue or nearby.

Use your guest list research as a chance to start those conversations before the main event.

3. Set some event goals

Without a goal (or goals), you will lack direction.

Goals for the event could also be linked to your guest list research you’ve just done.

For example:

• Meeting 3 new people
• Reconnect with 3 existing connections
• Make 2 introductions

Small goals that over time will compound and make huge impact.

4. Start networking online

Reach out and start connecting with other attendees on LinkedIn.

Personalise with a connection request note, and introduce yourself before stepping into the room.

It helps others put a face to your name.

And you have a face to look out for at the event now too!

5. Post about the event

Share the fact you are attending the event on LinkedIn.

Use a photo of the venue, or an event graphic the organisers have used, or even a selfie.

Tag the organisers in the post.

Tag other attendees you’re keen to reconnect with.

Or even new people you’re hoping to meet.

This increases your reach if they engage in the post and potentially gets your post on the feed of others that are attending.

This could then spark a comment and start a conversation.

The Wrap Up

Treat what you do before an event like the warm up before your exercise.

You have to prepare yourself to maximise your performance.

Or the base to the ‘Networking Event Sandwich’.

Where the event is a filling, and your follow ups are the other piece of bread.

A framework I dedicate an entire section and 7 videos to in The Networkers Playbook.

Helping you build 5 pre-event habits like this into

But means you’re arriving well prepared, with conversations already started ready to continue at the event.

Making you a more efficient networker that maximises your time at events.

And who doesn’t want to be that?

Happy networking.

P.S. for more habits and structure to attending networking events, The Networkers Playbook is for you. The first online course for those new to networking. Or even those looking to improve and learn how to enhance their networking ways.