Just Call Me Jess

Mood Disorders and Mindfulness

3 Tips To Successful Networking

I will provide you with 3 tips to successful networking and what you will need when going to a network event as well as what to do afterwards. You can use this quick checklist to review before going into your event!

Read below for 3 tips for successful networking!

What you need:

Tip#1 To be successful networking… Bring business cards

They need a way to contact you for questions, comment and collaborations! If nothing else it speaks to your professionalism and how serious you take yourself or your business.

Related Post: Need Some Motivation

Tip #2 To be successful networking…Bring pens and a note pad

Please note that “pens” is plural. I have been to many training, speaking events and networking events where someone did not have a pen or my “favorite” pen decided to stop working.

You want to take notes on the back of business cards or if someone does not have a card you want to have a way capture their information and what they do.

Tip #3 To be successful networking… Bring a bottle of water


All of the conversing you “should” be doing is bound to make you thirsty. Not only that, you you do not want to be the person everyone avoids because of your breath.

What you need to know to be successful networking

Tip #1 To be successful networking… Know your goals for yourself or your business

You need to be prepared for questions about where you want to see yourself or your business in short and long terms. In order to build connections with the appropriate individuals you need to know your goals and align yourself with individuals who are where you want to be.

Related Post: How to cope with anxiety

Tip #2 To be successful networking….Know what questions to ask

“Know what you don’t know”. While conversing throughout the event be prepared to learn new things to grow yourself or your business.

It would benefit you to have a cheat sheet of sorts prepared if you need to but it is extremely important to be prepared with questions. In this case it is what you know and WHO you know.

Tip #3 To be successful networking…Know the purpose

The purpose of networking is to connect you with like minded individuals who can provide insight, guidance and endless knowledge as to how you can be the best at what you aspire to be. Networking is yet another way to invest in yourself and your future. Do not take that for granted.

Related Post: How To Invest In You

What to do after the event to be successful

Tip #1 To be successful networking…Apply what you have learned

All of the notes you have taken (mentally and literally) put them to good use. Whether you need to improve your resume, boost traffic to your site or form a product people will buy, implement them. Prioritize your notes and begin to make things happen!

Tip #1 To be successful networking…Put those business cards to good use

Take time to touch base with individuals from the event and put in the effort to form a relationship with them. Try to schedule a lunch date and ask questions based on thinks you may have discussed before or new questions that have arose since the event.

Follow up email example:

Hello Jessica!

It was a pleasure speaking with you at the Healthcare Fair on December 17, 2018. I enjoyed speaking with you about the services you provide and the path you took to get there. I remember that you mentioned currently working on a workbook to use with mental health clients and I have an invested interest in the mental health field. I would love to grab coffee or meet for lunch!

Sincerely,

Name, Title

Company/Organization

Contact Information

Tip #3 To be successful networking… Social Media Stalk

Okay do not really stalk them but look the individuals up specifically on Linkedin. I like Linkedin because you can see previous work and education history of the individuals.

Linkedin is also a way for one to see the different paths that can be taken to reach a similar goal.

See here how to reach your goals with 5 simple tips.

What are some tips you can give others going to an event for the first time? How do you incorporate technology into your networking techniques?

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Comments

  2. In the last few years when I attend very big networking events, I collected some business cards but the vast majority of people I connected with them on LinkedIn at the event. The downside is that I cannot remember all the new additions to my network and LinkedIn does not show you a list of recent connects.

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  3. This is a great post, I think making sure you have business cards when going to a networking event is a big thing but often as bloggers is something we don’t all think about.

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  5. The mints and water can make all the difference. I usually will jot down notes about the person I just met behind their business card, it helps me remember them later and personalize my emails/social media notes to them 🙂

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  11. What you write here is so true Jessica. And the truth is that networking is the most valuable thing that you can do for your business. Choosing the right networking event is also very important. I’m going to be following your suggestions to the letter at the next networking event I attend.

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  12. Excellent tips, I struggle with following up at networking. I’ve always been scared to keep in touch but the example you shared is so simple and easy to do.

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  15. Wow that such a great tips. I remember invited to join and networking event without me having idea what I’m going to do. Very informative!

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  16. Wow that such a great tips. I remember invited to join and networking event without me having idea what I’m going to do. Very informative!

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  17. Thanks so much for this sharing, learnt some tips & it definitely helps in my next networking events 😀
    Cheers, siennylovesdrawing

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  18. Thanks so much for this sharing, learnt some tips & it definitely helps in my next networking events 😀
    Cheers, siennylovesdrawing

    Reply

  21. Super informative! Networking sounds like something I would do in the future – would love to have my own business cards one day.

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  22. Super informative! Networking sounds like something I would do in the future – would love to have my own business cards one day.

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  31. This is great. I have been networking for years now but when I first started I was a wreck. The thing about the mints is so key especially if you’re at an event that has coffee.

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  32. This is great. I have been networking for years now but when I first started I was a wreck. The thing about the mints is so key especially if you’re at an event that has coffee.

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  37. Great tips and example of the email! There are often times where I have been at a conference, engage with others and they do not have business cards. But of course, at the particular moment, I don’t have any either. Typically, I keep a few in my purse and car.Thanks for the reminder.

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  38. Great tips and example of the email! There are often times where I have been at a conference, engage with others and they do not have business cards. But of course, at the particular moment, I don’t have any either. Typically, I keep a few in my purse and car.Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply

  39. Recently I haven’t been to any blogging related networking or even the likes. I guess I had enough when I was younger. I have gone to networking events of AMWAY, Mary Kay, and AIM Star, and yeah I felt like I failed tremendously. It’s unbelievable how a small thing like business card can break or make deals and connections in this event. I feel right now, this is one of the reasons I didn’t make as many networking at that time.

    Reply

  40. Recently I haven’t been to any blogging related networking or even the likes. I guess I had enough when I was younger. I have gone to networking events of AMWAY, Mary Kay, and AIM Star, and yeah I felt like I failed tremendously. It’s unbelievable how a small thing like business card can break or make deals and connections in this event. I feel right now, this is one of the reasons I didn’t make as many networking at that time.

    Reply

  41. Great tips Jess. I am not only networking online, but I shall be in-person as well since I am working towards becoming a coach and speaker in the future. Building solid relationships is the key to a businesses success. I will keep your tips in mind for my next networking event. 🙂

    Reply

  42. Great tips Jess. I am not only networking online, but I shall be in-person as well since I am working towards becoming a coach and speaker in the future. Building solid relationships is the key to a businesses success. I will keep your tips in mind for my next networking event. 🙂

    Reply

  45. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any networking events, but in the spirit of broadening my horizons, I am seriously looking into attending a few in 2019. These tips will definitely come in handy. Thank you

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  46. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to any networking events, but in the spirit of broadening my horizons, I am seriously looking into attending a few in 2019. These tips will definitely come in handy. Thank you

    Reply

  53. These are great tips and I have to say I never thought about mints and water. I pretty much keep my business cards with me but I need to try all of your tips next time.

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  54. These are great tips and I have to say I never thought about mints and water. I pretty much keep my business cards with me but I need to try all of your tips next time.

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  55. This is so good to know! I made some business cards for when I might attend one, which has yet to happen haha.

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  56. This is so good to know! I made some business cards for when I might attend one, which has yet to happen haha.

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  57. Great post with lots of advice for those going to networking events. I think it’s important to know your business and its goals like you say.

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  58. Great post with lots of advice for those going to networking events. I think it’s important to know your business and its goals like you say.

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  71. I like networking events, it is a challenge at first but I get used to it. I met many good people and good business partners.
    Never go to networking events sans business cards. You’ll feel naked.

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  72. I like networking events, it is a challenge at first but I get used to it. I met many good people and good business partners.
    Never go to networking events sans business cards. You’ll feel naked.

    Reply

  77. I go to quite a lot of events and it’s amazing how many people don’t have their business cards with them. Or they don’t have enough and run out at the beginning of the day.

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  78. I go to quite a lot of events and it’s amazing how many people don’t have their business cards with them. Or they don’t have enough and run out at the beginning of the day.

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  85. I’ve never attended any networking event, but I think I’d love to do so pretty soon! Your tips are really great and I’ll keep them in mind for sure! They’re very useful! 🙂

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  86. I’ve never attended any networking event, but I think I’d love to do so pretty soon! Your tips are really great and I’ll keep them in mind for sure! They’re very useful! 🙂

    Reply

  91. I think this will help the newbies prosper. This looks like a complete and well prepared guide. It is so much helpful.

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  92. I think this will help the newbies prosper. This looks like a complete and well prepared guide. It is so much helpful.

    Reply

  93. Really great savvy advice. I can’t stress on really making the effort to pass out business cards and contact those you meet at the network event afterwards. It’s such a great way to meet like minded individuals and build relationships.

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  96. Great advice! I’ve been to a few business networking functions around town and they usually take place at a bar lol Unfortunately, I’ve stopped going because it didn’t bring any value to me and the men were clearly on the “hunt”. I hope to find female driven network events, so I can actually put your tips to use!

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  97. Great advice! I’ve been to a few business networking functions around town and they usually take place at a bar lol Unfortunately, I’ve stopped going because it didn’t bring any value to me and the men were clearly on the “hunt”. I hope to find female driven network events, so I can actually put your tips to use!

    Reply

  101. I’ve never been to a networking event so these are all great tips I will keep in mind if ever I do. I know that art of the follow-up is key!

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  102. I’ve never been to a networking event so these are all great tips I will keep in mind if ever I do. I know that art of the follow-up is key!

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  103. Really, it’s very basic what you will need for a networking event. However, each one of those basic things is so important.

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  104. Really, it’s very basic what you will need for a networking event. However, each one of those basic things is so important.

    Reply

  105. Honestly I love a business card, but failing that as long you gave a social media account and your phone to hand that is great too, in connecting with people.

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  106. Honestly I love a business card, but failing that as long you gave a social media account and your phone to hand that is great too, in connecting with people.

    Reply

  107. This is a perfect guide. We should treat our online work as serious business, and applying your tips are great.

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  108. This is a perfect guide. We should treat our online work as serious business, and applying your tips are great.

    Reply

  113. This is such a helpful guide for people who are looking into expanding their network by attending events. Definitely going to keep in mind having business cards on hand, even in this digital age I think that’s still important. 🙂

    Reply

  114. This is such a helpful guide for people who are looking into expanding their network by attending events. Definitely going to keep in mind having business cards on hand, even in this digital age I think that’s still important. 🙂

    Reply

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