It's true: we tend to buy from people we like and trust, and this is one reason why a successful network of contacts is important for growing your customer base.
Steps
Step 1. Have a clear goal
You need to know the purpose of the event you want to network with, and consider it from the perspective of everyone involved. For example, if the goal is for everyone to find potential customers or references, consider the best strategy to make sure everyone gets what they need.
Step 2. Determine the range
By "scope" we refer to size and industry. How many people will you include in the event? Are you going to create a round table where people take turns explaining what they do and what kind of new customers they are putting themselves on the market for? Or imagine a large gathering where contacts are made freely, with a massive exchange of business cards? Maybe an event where you get acquainted quickly is more your style. Are you considering organizing monthly meetings, on a regular basis, or just an isolated event? Each of these types of events can be remarkably successful, but once you have established the scope, it will be helpful to plan the details accordingly.
Step 3. Set the date
If you are organizing a large or medium-sized event, you need to notify people so they can mark the date on their calendar.
Step 4. Book a meeting place
Now that you have established the goal, style and scope of your event, the next step is to book a venue, and you should do it as soon as possible.
Step 5. Spread the word
It might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people start organizing an event with the best of intentions, which ultimately turns out to be a "secret meeting". In other words, no one knew about the meeting except you and a couple of close contacts.
Step 6. Plan your refreshments carefully
Remember: this is a networking meeting, not entertainment. People are here to get to know each other, introduce themselves and find new business contacts, not to binge. Offer light refreshments that are easy to eat (a good rule of thumb is: nothing that requires the use of a fork or gets caught in your teeth).
Step 7. Prepare the participants
It's a good idea to let your guests know what to expect. If, for example, you are organizing a small event at someone's home, let attendees know how many people will be there, so they can plan to bring enough business cards and some flyers, leaflets, brochures, etc. with them. to distribute.
Step 8. Establish the agenda
Here is a possibility: 19: 00-19: 15 meetings and presentations; 19: 15-19: 20 welcome and introduction; 19: 20-20: 30 each participant takes turns speaking for 5-7 minutes; 20: 30-21: 00 free social contacts.
Step 9. Facilitates socialization
The key to any successful event is socialization throughout the group. Whenever you bring a group of people together, there will almost always be those who socialize with ease, making their way across the room making bonds and building relationships, while others will feel a little nervous or insecure in a room where they don't know anyone.
Step 10. Promote yourself
Don't fall into the trap that many event coordinators find themselves in - just because you've coordinated the event doesn't mean you should avoid promoting yourself.
Step 11. Leave a memory
"Out of sight, out of mind" is simple human nature, so it's important to have something to leave for your participants; otherwise, all the time and hard work you put into the event could be useless.
Step 12. Collect opinions
You might think your event was a smash hit, but perception is everything - so it's a good idea to gather some feedback from other attendees as well.
Step 13. Persevere
Follow the contacts and connections you have established, and encourage participants from the same group to do the same. There is a saying that says: "Luck is in perseverance". Call your contacts and tell them you enjoyed meeting them. Find ways you could mutually benefit your business. Send and request references. Be specific about your needs.
Advice
- Prepare flyers or brochures to distribute not only to your contacts, but also to your contacts' contacts.
- Creating an event for a network of contacts should not only have the purpose of finding new customers among the members of the group, but also to generate trust and give people the space to get to know each other.
- Alternatively, for a larger event, you could choose to have a refreshment offered by a sponsor or a local company (or food vendor).
- You can help socialize by approaching those who seem a little "lost" with warmth and kindness and starting a conversation. Ask them what they do and what characteristics their ideal client should have, and introduce them to a close person (even if you don't even know that person and need to introduce yourself at the same time). Then you can leave these people who just met together and repeat it elsewhere if necessary.
- Even if contact is made freely in your event, you could make an announcement every 30 minutes to introduce yourself, thank everyone for their presence, thank the sponsor for offering food and drink, and encourage everyone to socialize.
- Alternatively, if you need audiovisual tools, you could book a restaurant banquet hall, hotel conference hall, or local community meeting facilities, such as a library (some public libraries have rooms that are perfect for a gathering of this kind) or the headquarters of the neighborhood club (if it is the area where you live and you pay your "homeowner association" fee, booking a facility may cost you less than you think).
- If you are planning to create regular meetings, it would be good to let everyone know the date and place of the next meeting so that they can mark it on the calendar.
- Don't worry if you invite more people than you can accommodate - just spread the word.
- The goal of your event may simply be to help everyone expand their network of contacts. Whatever purpose you have in mind, make it the driving force behind the decisions you make regarding the logistical management of the event.
- In a small and intimate meeting, you can end the evening on a sentimental note like this: "I would like to thank everyone for coming this evening and sharing your ideas with us. During your commitments in life, I ask you to please think to this group and to provide references whenever it seems appropriate, remembering that whatever you transmit will be returned to you in abundance. I would like to thank our sponsor, _ (if you don't have one, mention your company, since invest time, money and energy in coordinating the event) for making this event available and free. And I would like to remind you to go ahead and take action: keep in touch with each other and with me, and let us know how you are doing and if our references are successful. Thank you and good night."
- If you find that you are reaching a high number of subscriptions approaching the maximum capacity, you can reduce the number of invitations for a while.
- Some ways you can promote yourself: prepare "loot" bags containing information about your company to give to each participant; give each participant a flyer as they leave the event; if it's a large gathering and you're planning on making announcements, mention your products or services; hand out your business cards.
- Depending on the size of your event, you may be able to buy targeted ads on Facebook with pay per click, or post flyers in the surrounding area.
- If your event is open to the public, be sure to add it to site-specific sites, such as Meetup.com.
- Are you trying to keep the cost of the event low (or even free)? Smaller groups can meet in your (or someone else's) home or in a restaurant, café or ice cream parlor.
- You could start one-on-one conversations, send a quick questionnaire by email, or just ask around. However, be sure to ask for specific opinions about any improvements that can be made to a future event.
- For larger gatherings, where people leave at different times of the event, a "loot bag" is a great keepsake to leave behind. Many times, insurance agents or other company agents provide the bags (with their advertising information printed on the outside), and you can let attendees know in advance that they can submit items (advertising pieces, business cards, flyers, vouchers, etc.). samples, etc.) for the bags that will be distributed to the participants.
- Many people will just munch on something; so serve only simple snacks: water and coffee, crackers and cheese, maybe some fruit. This expense should be minimal.
Warnings
- Avoid appetizers that contain garlic or onion, or any other strong flavor that might make participants uncomfortable talking closely to others while making contact.
- Don't underestimate the third step ("Set the date"): everyone is busy these days and the sooner you are able to let people know when the event will happen, the more likely they will be to share the invitation with a friend or a colleague or two.
- If you choose an outdoor venue, make sure you have a backup plan in case the weather is inclement, and let people know in advance.
- Since you certainly have no intention of getting stuck with someone babysitting them all evening, doing a gentle gesture like approaching and starting a conversation can make a beginner who struggles to socialize or a shy person feel comfortable. and continue to establish contacts on their own.
