3.5 easy steps to prepare for an event (including networking, conference, luncheon, etc)

August 20, 2010 | Posted in Blog, Uncategorized, business networking, first impressions |

View Comments Tags: first impressions, goals, networking

One of the hot targeted questions I’ve been asked consistently at the last few conferences I’ve spoken such as BlogHer and Spark and Hustle has been how to prepare for an event.

As I’ve been preparing the last few days for speaking at and attending Barkworld Expo this weekend, these are some of the things I’ve been doing.

Here are 3.5 things to consider:

Make sure you dress appropriately. You don’t get a second chance at a first impression! Enough said. Dress how you want others to perceive you and your business.
(For women – If you are one of the types who is challenged when it comes to mixing and matching your clothes, I highly, highly urge you to sign up for a free account at Fashion-Ade. This site mixes and matches your clothes for you. That’s what I’m talking about! You get to build a custom virtual closet, which is SO easy as they have prepopulated items (and you can add more for custom items) and it mixes and matches for you based on the look you are going for!!)
Research attendeesThese days, you can find out a lot about an event such as who is organizing it and who is attending (if they utilized an online invitation).
Google whomever it is you can find attending, or minimally the hosts. This makes having conversations much more interesting and disarms people who have their guard up when you’ve shown legitimate interest in them.

Another strategy I use is to find them on Facebook or LinkedIn and see what people you have in common. You would be amazed as who you have in common with and sometimes that in itself is all it takes to get your foot in the door.
Set a goal. I cannot emphasize this enough. People go to events without a goal in mind and then wonder why nothing came out of it…
- How can you hit a goal if you don’t have one set?

- Why are you attending the event?

- Who do you hope to meet?

- What metric of success will you use to decide that the event was time well spent?

3.5 … Bring a pen!! To truly stand out among other networkers AND remember the details of a conversation, take notes on either a business card or notepad . This will show you to be an attentive listener and will help making follow-up much more personal. I can’t tell you how many people are surprised by my note-jotting and then compliment my attention to the conversation… Talk about a way to stand out.

Have you tried any of these tips? What other tips do you have?

Share and Enjoy:

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Taryn Pisaneschi ★, Michelle . Michelle said: love "bring a pen". RT @TarynP: NEW POST – 3.5 tips to maximize attending a business event (or conference) http://bit.ly/bQ8PJx [...]
http://www.stylishconsignments.com Tierra Destiny Reid

I must say that I am so happy that I connected with Taryn at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. I enjoyed her presentation and advice on networking, but what was infectious for me was the energy that we share! She had a similar spirit of get it done, and get it done right! After the presentation we spoke about several branding ideas, out of the box marketing strategies, and she continuously encouraged me to get moving on my FLIP purchase. I must admit, a few women in my circle had mentioned it before as well, but Taryn took the time to show me how easy it was. We parted ways and I was stirred up to say the least. I had an event soon after and my guest blogger came with FLIP in hand..I immediately thought of Taryn! I made the purchase and also spoke with Taryn about the possibility of her testing my Global Consigning Initiative. I was sooo excited to speak with her again, that I sent her a late message ( thinking she was a night owl like me based on following her updates) and made the mistake of calling her ( late at night) ooops! Glad her hubby didn’t answer! LOL! But she forgave me and jumped right into how she could help me. She is always offering ways to help! We share the gift of wanting to help others through collaberation! I am MOST appreciative of her final PUSH for me to attend Spark and Hustle. She mentioned that these women were serious and it would be just the conference for me. SHE WAS BEYOND RIGHT!!!!!! PERIOD! Spark and Hustle was Amazing to say the least. Since I have a store, I had to leave it in the hands of my team on my three busiest days of the week. I was going for actionable advice…and BOY oh BOY did I get it! TORY JOHNSON and the Expert Panel have left a lasting imprint on my life, my heart, and my decisions. One thing that I have repeated the most to everyday women like myself who get so caught up in trying to make everything right around us is, For every single yes we give ( as women especially), you are still saying no to something. Why do we beat ourselves up about saying NO! NO LONGER FOR ME! I am determined to turn my passion into profit and I truly thank TARYN for the final push to pull me into the network of women that have repositioned my thinking and approach on business. I HEART TARYN and TORY and would recommend getting connected to acheive your true potential.

I AM VERY CHATTY! LOL
Tierra Destiny Reid
http://www.stylishconsignments.com
http://www.tiraleigh.com Tira McGeehan

Don’t get drunk! Sounds simple but it’s totally true. Just because the drinks are free doesn’t mean go HOG WILD. Lol
Monique McDowell

Thanks so much for this great article Taryn! I love the Fashion Aide & especially setting goals for networking events. Great tips!
http://www.j-riley.com Lacey J Riley Byrd

Sound advice Taryn. Glad yo have you in the Progressive Women’s Business Network. There are so many people taht forget to build relationships when networking. Its not just a card passing marathon to see how many business cards you can get around the room. Being personable is so important.

Lacey Byrd

http://www.j-riley.com
Sonya Fisher

Thank you for posting this, great info & very helpful. I am planning to attend some upcoming networking events for the ‘first’ time & was a little hesitant.
http://tarynp.com/2011/05/22/tips-to-maximize-events-conferences-business-networking/ 13 tips to maximize conferences (+ a bit about what I’ve been up to) | TarynP!

[...] while back, I shared 3.5 easy steps to prepare for an event. In my own preparation for my upcoming conferences, I wanted to share with you even more ways to [...]