Networking Tips: 16 Marketing Professionals on Building Strong Relationships
Building relationships is one of our most basic needs. Being able to socialise and form large groups played a big part in how humanity got to the top of the food chain.
Networking face to face at industry events is an important part of professional life. Whether in person or online, conferences are a great place to make valuable connections, and those connections can help not only with the work you’re doing now but with your personal goals in the future.
Of course, not everyone is born with the same skills. Even the most socially gifted people can struggle to find the right people to talk to, start conversations, or turn those connections into opportunities once the event is over.
So I’m sharing some tips from both in-person conferences and the digital events of the COVID era. I collected quotes from 16 marketing professionals and added my own take on each.
If you have a strong personal brand, people will want to connect with you at conferences.
Leonard Kim
This is a long process that takes effort, but if you show up to a marketing conference as Philip Kotler, you can be sure you’ll get attention. The best place to start building your professional personal brand is LinkedIn. You can also start a blog or create useful content on social media.
Before you go, have a plan for connecting with the people you want to meet. Set the right date and time in your calendar.
Lisa Loeffler
Time management is a critical part of these events. If you plan your own time and learn about the schedules of the people you want to meet, the whole thing becomes much more productive.
If you’re there to sell, listen to the people you meet talk about themselves. Not to be a nice person, but to qualify them before you start pitching.
Keegan Vance Forte
The most important part of selling is listening to the person in front of you and reading their needs. Don’t ignore what they need, and learn something about them so they can open up to you. It will also give you valuable ideas about which sales approach to take.
I love a personalised LinkedIn message that says “Hi, I noticed we’re both attending conference X.”
Claire Trévien
The trend for personalised content and products keeps growing, so using the same approach to meet people is a smart move. It helps you build human relationships. And who doesn’t like seeing a new message in their inbox?
Stand up and just observe.
C.D. Houston
Personally, the first thing I do in a new room is observe. I sit quietly and watch people. It tells you a lot about them and helps me plan my next move. You can learn a lot just by watching.
Wear a fun mask. It gives people a reason to come over and talk to you.
Lisa Dougherty
This is useful in everyday life too. Fast-moving pop culture is quickly followed by t-shirts, keychains and costumes. They feed people’s need to belong to a group and spark the start of a conversation. (Just make a smart choice that fits the conference you’re attending.)
Introduce yourself to speakers by telling them why you like their blog, book or talk.
Roger C. Parker
People love talking about their work and are open to both positive and negative feedback, because people who genuinely create value know that improving their work means hearing criticism.
When you’re in a group and see someone on their own, look at them and say hello. Invite them into your group.
Bill Cushard
My favourite people in big groups are the ones who give the quiet person a chance to speak and bring an outsider into the circle. These are very thoughtful moves for building strong relationships.
If you see someone alone, introduce them to someone else, whether it’s a good friend or someone you met five minutes ago.
Kyle Akerman
As I said at the start, not everyone has the same social skills, and sometimes a little push is all it takes. Be that push.
Stay near the food and let the conversation come to you.
Daniel Kingsley Daines-Hutt
I once read that sharing a meal lays the foundation for the strongest relationships…
At the end of every evening, email the people you met that day. It will help cement you in their minds.
Tyler Logtenberg
Don’t be lazy, send the follow-up email. Keep the conversation going so the relationship lasts.
My own tips:
- Write short notes on the back of business cards.
- If the conference has an app or website, use it as much as you can.
- Look up the people you met on LinkedIn and check whether you have mutual connections.
- If there’s an after-party, ask people whether they’re going.
Tips for virtual conferences
Use the conference app to connect not just with speakers but with attendees too… especially on LinkedIn.
Paula Monroy
Ask questions or chat with other attendees before the session starts. When someone asks an interesting or useful question, congratulate them.
Ann Gynn
Turn your camera on during sessions. Many of us don’t enjoy being on video, but it’s the best way to meet others in the same position.
Andrea Larick
If the event has an app, build a solid profile and add your social media links.
Lisa Dougherty
Connect your laptop to a TV and watch the conference like a TV show. It’s perfect for staying away from email and keeping your focus.
Amie Cangelosi
Note down a few of these tips and try them at your next conference. If they work for you, send me an email at collab@ugurucar.work and tell me how it went.