You're navigating the world of business networking. How do you choose the right events to attend?

When navigating the myriad of networking opportunities, it's essential to start by clearly defining your professional goals. Whether you're aiming to land new clients, seek mentorship, or scout for potential partnerships, having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve serves as a valuable compass. This clarity helps you identify and prioritize events that are most aligned with your objectives. A targeted approach not only saves time but also enhances the likelihood of engaging in meaningful interactions that can significantly advance your career or business. By focusing on events that match your goals, you maximize your chances of forming valuable connections and deriving tangible benefits from your networking efforts.

I attend many different events, but my choice is really based on topics that interest me. Connecting for the sake of connecting doesn’t become as sustainable. Connections need to make sense.

Knowing your goals will help you tremendously when choosing which events to commit to. With an endless amount of opportunity for networking, it'd be impossible to attend everything! Knowing what your goals are, the type of individuals you'd like to meet, and which format you prefer going to, will help you decide where to focus your time. It might take some trial and error to figure out which type of events you prefer. No matter which event you choose, consistency is key! If you're new to networking and you aren't sure what to expect at an event, try reaching out to the coordinator. They're usually more than happy to share information around the event.

Some events are marquee and others are not. In my group coaching program for mom founders called Fertile Imagination to Networking Success I help business owners with a myriad of other obligations that are top of mind navigate "nice to attend" events vs. "must be there events" (also whether you need to be on stage vs. in the audience too). I've been to inaugural events for instance where the likelihood of the founders being present are high vs. events that are weekly or annual and not new. Kendra Scott has an inaugural event happening in Austin (her HQ)...it will have media attention and....and the odds that she'll be there are higher than other ones so I personally have my eyes set on that one....mom founders pls say hi. Let's connect.

Reflecting on past networking experiences is crucial for informing and improving your future choices. Consider which events have been most beneficial and analyze what they had in common. Understanding these patterns helps you identify the factors that contribute to successful networking. Learning from both successes and missteps allows you to continuously refine your strategy, making it more effective over time. Keep in mind that the value of an event is not just in the immediate opportunities it presents but also in how it aligns with and contributes to your long-term networking goals. This reflective approach ensures that each networking endeavor builds progressively towards a more robust and strategic professional network.