Spreading the word about your business is essential to its success. Hence, as a
savvy entrepreneur, you need to be constantly on the lookout for ways and venues
you can use to spread the word about your venture. And there is no better way to
get the word out about your business than to join industry conferences,
tradeshows and events, where the movers and shakers in your industry converge.
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Mere attendance to industry events, however, is not enough. You need to be
out there rubbing elbows with people who matter, i.e. your potential customers,
suppliers, partners and investors. Here are some tips to schmooze effectively:
1. Set out a goal.
When attending an event, always keep in mind the reasons
why you registered. Whether you wanted to find new partners or suppliers for
your business, or check out your competition, make sure that you accomplish your
goal at the end of the day. Avoid mindless chatter with an acquaintance who has
nothing to contribute to your business. Every minute counts, so head off to your
goals and avoid distractions.
2. Do not show up for the sake of showing up.
Many entrepreneurs attend
industry events merely to listen to the speeches and then take off, often
failing to consider the immense value of networking with other participants.
Plan your itinerary well and choose the activities you want to attend.
Definitely, you have to be at the keynote and one mixer function. Be sure to
mingle with the crowd, get acquainted with people in your industry, and exchange
business cards.
3. Think twice before bringing family members.
Sure, you love your family and
want to be with them all of the time. But oftentimes, industry events are not
the right place to bring them along. If your child bawls and misbehaves, other
participants will remember you as a parent that cannot handle a child. This
could put your managerial skills in question. You'd want to avoid comments
like "If she can't handle her child, how can she be expected to handle her
staff?"
4. Be on your best foot
all the time.
When you are attending an event,
you are representing your company. How well (or how bad you behave) will reflect
on your business. Be sure to be on your best behavior at all times.
- Dress appropriately for every situation. Be business-like at all times,
particularly during the social events that often come with industry conferences.
Whether you are joining a round of golf with other participants, or attending
the cocktail party, be sure to dress modestly. You do not want to stick out like
a sore thumb in the crowd or call negative attention to yourself. At no time,
wear anything that you do not want to be remembered later (e.g. "Ahh,
you're that slutty, er, sultry, woman"¨).
- Stay away from alcohol. Attending an industry event is not an excuse to
drink all the free drinks that you can. If drinks are offered, limit yourself to
two. Imagine the kind of impression you will leave a potential investor if you
become so drunk that you had to pass out. Or as if often the case, too many
drinks may loosen your tongue that you begin babbling about the most
inappropriate matters. Drunkenness is the surest way to hurt your reputation.
- Watch what you say. People you meet during industry events are not
interested in your personal life. Skip the confidence sharing part, and focus on
your business.
When you leave the conference or seminar, be sure to do the most important
thing: follow-up. Sort out the materials that you received and jot down the
names in the business cards you collected in your Rolodex. Then take action! Who
knows, they may be your next biggest buyer, mentor, supplier or financier!
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