Which Networking Events Should You Attend?

How does one determine which are the best events to attend based on one's best customer?

Customers are not a dime a dozen, especially in today's economy. So it is best to follow the rules mentioned before on how to define your best customer before attending an event. The customer definition will lead you to choosing events where they will attend. Customers have their preferences for events just as you do. They are also looking for ways to meet others. If you find out where they go, then you should also make a point of attending. I have often attended events that I would not normally attend, just to get close to a potential customer, and of course a potential sale. And it may be someone completely unexpected that is met at such an event. If your best customer profile attends this event, you can bet that others just like them will also be in attendance. In the long run, your opportunity to capitalize on the event will be enhanced by being very discerning about who will be there. It is akin to choosing the parties you attend.

No need to do this with an attitude, but you need to be aware of where you are going and why. Not all events will fill the bill. For example, if you were selling high end networking systems, you would not likely attend a Chamber event for small business. Not that the Chamber does not have anything to offer, it is just that your best customer is not likely to attend such an event, but people that attend Chamber events may be connected to your best customer. On the other hand, you will likely want to attend a business symposium directed at the larger size corporation. They are more likely to attend events that have other like minded companies as part of the participant list.

Now that you have defined what kind of events you wish to attend, it is time to look at your calendar and make the decisions. You need to make sure that when you attend an event you will be able to follow up your leads before you make arrangements to attend another event. Nothing is worse than getting a calendar full of meetings and no time to do actual sit down discussions and follow-ups with potential clients.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite, She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in June 2005. For more information visit BlueprintBooks.com

---

Getting Leads

How many leads do you pass on?As a reminder, you... Read More

Ten Simple Steps to More Customers with Better Networking

Networking is a great way to meet people in a... Read More

Why Arent You Talking to Me?

Your nonverbal communication talks before you do. Only seven percent... Read More

Social Network Software

My neighbor ? a lovely man I've known, and have... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More

Practice Makes Pefect

What is the problem when people try to describe what... Read More

The Festive Season: Your Networking Opportunity

The festive season is a great time to sharpen and... Read More

How to Keep from Sounding LIKE Totally Stupid

June is reality check month. Lots of the resolutions have... Read More

Networking

Networking: Is it who you know or what you know... Read More

How to Organize a Successful Bad Sweater Party

"Hey Scott, would you like to go to a Bad... Read More

Franchisees Should Learn From Each Other

If you own a franchise you should be in contact... Read More

How to Shmooze

Definition: talk idly or casually in a friendly way Value:... Read More

Unforgettable First Impressions Part 1: Discover the CPI

People like others whom they are like. So if you... Read More

Why Cant I Remember Your Name?

You're terrible with names. You forget someone's name within ten... Read More

Networking - Facts to Ponder

Right here in Europe, the very last continent to enter... Read More

9 Ways to Spice Up Your Nametags for More Engaging Conversation

Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions,... Read More

62 Ways to MAXIMIZE Your Approachability

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up... Read More

Alcohol & Events

Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More

Growing Your Network of People Can be Easy and Fun!

A few years back when I moved to Charlotte, NC... Read More

Did You Market Yourself Today?

"If you build a better mouse trap - the world... Read More

Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business?

When you look at your friends, it's like looking into... Read More

Networking: Strangers, Friendship, and Business Growth

You already know that uncomfortable feeling, that knot in your... Read More

Networking to a New Life

Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in... Read More

How to Announce a New Product

How can the introduction of new products affect the way... Read More

Measuring Value for a Networking Group

How do you measure a group's worth to your organization?It... Read More

Joining Industry Specific Organizations Has Many Benefits

Recently, while providing an up-and-coming Virtual Assistant (VA) and small... Read More

How to Avoid Falling Asleep Behind the Conversational Wheel

Think about the last time you feel asleep behind the... Read More

8 Ways To Develop Confidence In New Situations

Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking... Read More

Powerful Networking: Focus on Building Connections, Not Closing Sales

You can find numerous references in the business literature about... Read More

The Power of Word of Mouth

Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told... Read More

Examination of Discovery - Finding the Right Networking Group

Why would I pick this group over another group?How many... Read More

Networking: Is Your Approach Too Self-Centered?

It's a classic mistake by networkers: their approach is focused... Read More

Real Business Networking Doesnt Happen at Networking Events

Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a... Read More