Attending events, conferences and meetings you are not working is a great way to network and meet contacts who may be looking for event planning services in the future. Networking can be a productive source for future business if you are accomplished at it. However, it can also reflect negative on your company or be a waste of time, if you go about it the wrong way.<\/p>\n
As an event planner, you need to hone your networking skills as this is one of the most important ways of advertising that you will use. \u00a0Meeting and greeting people and making a lasting first impression is imperative to running a successful event planning business.<\/p>\n
Following these simple guidelines and brushing up on your skills will help ensure that any time you meet a potential client, you make the best use of the time you have with them. If nothing else, you will leave a lasting, positive impression on them.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Know your audience.<\/strong> \u00a0If your specialty is planning events for top level executives, focus on networking in that arena. \u00a0Of course it doesn\u2019t hurt to network in other areas, but establish yourself in your niche market first and then expand. \u00a0If you work better with less formal events, such as proms or parties, start there until you are confident enough to try a different market.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Do your research.<\/strong> \u00a0Find out who will be attending an event so you know how you will want to \u201cadvertise\u201d yourself and your company. \u00a0You don\u2019t want to discuss prom decorations while networking with corporate executives or vice versa.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Rehearse what you will say about who you are and what your company does.<\/strong> \u00a0Be confident in what you say and know what you are talking about. \u00a0Be able to answer follow-up questions, should you connect with a potential client who wants more details. \u00a0Don\u2019t leave a future customer questioning if you are an expert in your field. \u00a0Know how you will respond if you don\u2019t know an answer. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll have to talk with my lighting person to get his\/her advice and get back to you on that.\u201d is a much better answer than \u201cI don\u2019t know but I\u2019ll find out\u201d. \u00a0And most importantly, follow up with an answer that day or the next.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Follow up.<\/strong> \u00a0Once you have met a possible future customer or even just an interesting connection, don\u2019t let the opportunity go. \u00a0Connect with him\/her, make a sales pitch if appropriate, meet for coffee to discuss possible future events or just keep in touch to keep your name at the front of their mind so they can easily recall it when they have an event to plan.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Keep it fresh.<\/strong> \u00a0Have a variety of ways of introducing yourself and explaining your business. \u00a0You may meet one person who chooses to introduce you to someone else and you don\u2019t want to sound like a robot repeating the exact thing you just said to the first contact. \u00a0Be flexible and keep it interesting.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Be helpful.<\/strong> \u00a0If during a conversation, you realize that you have a contact that may be beneficial to them, make the introduction. \u00a0Don\u2019t be afraid of helping others if you can. \u00a0By all means, keep yourself in the loop as much as possible by following up with both parties. \u00a0By introducing two contacts to each other, you will expand your network. By showing that you are interested enough to follow up, you will hopefully benefit from the matchmaking that you have done.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0Make the person you are speaking with the center of your attention.<\/strong> \u00a0We\u2019ve all experienced a conversation where the person you are speaking with is obviously anxious to move on and talk with someone else. \u00a0Chances are you didn\u2019t work too hard to speak with that person again. \u00a0Use common manners and be respectful to the person you are talking with at the moment.<\/p>\n Networking can be the main source of leads for your business. \u00a0If you aren\u2019t experienced at networking, practice with a co-worker or friend or in front of a mirror. \u00a0If you find it uncomfortable or hard to do at first, remember that it will get easier with time. The more people you meet, the better you will get.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Attending events, conferences and meetings you are not working is a great way to network and meet contacts who may be looking for event planning services in the future. Networking can be a productive source for future business if you are accomplished at it. 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