How to Stand Out at Networking Events

Networking events (or simply being social) can be stressful for people – especially introverts.  But if you are there for business it is imperative to make an impression on the professional community!  Whether you’re nervous about starting conversations with complete strangers, you’re self-conscious about your demeanor or you’re timid about talking about yourself or your business, showing up is half the battle.  Regardless of what you are feeling, the important thing is to be memorable. 

“Let’s get this straight:  it’s already uncomfortable for me to be social, and now I have to be memorable too?!?”

The answer is an emphatic “yes!”  I get it – it’s hard being social, it’s hard being in groups of people, then alone, needing to stand out can be a daunting thought!  The good news is that it isn’t that difficult to stand out.  In fact, it’s easy – even for introverts! 

Protip:  If you can master being comfortable in uncomfortable situations, you’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish!

How to Stand Out at Networking Events

1. Dress appropriately for your industry.

If you are a painter, and you are coming off of a job site, it doesn’t make sense for you to wear a suit and tie!  In fact, if you did wear a suit and tie, it may send off the wrong vibe!  After all, how many painters do you know who wear a suit and tie to work?  You may scare off clientele by putting off the perception that you are more expensive than you actually are!

I know the old adage is “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” however, when it comes to networking the opposite is true!  If you went to a networking event and met two remodeling contractors, and you were looking to remodel your master bathroom who would you more likely hire: the one who has a three-piece suit on or the one in jeans and work boots?

Some people may say the man with the three-piece suit, but for me, I want the guy who looks like he’s in the field all day.

• Make sure you have memorable business cards.

Ask yourself this:  were you more likely to throw away a business card with simple contact information, or were you more likely to throw away a business card with a face on it?  That’s right – a headshot can make a world of difference on your business cards.

• Have a killer tagline.

Tag lines aren’t something you come up with immediately.  In fact, it’s taken me months to come up with my current tagline.  And honestly?  I think I can do better…  My current tag line is automating referral marketing.

One of my favorite taglines of all time is from Noah St. John:  making success automatic.  He is a business coach and consultant, and his tagline has served as a template for me!

Remember, your tagline must be simple, precise, and memorable.  Ideally, it also helps people more easily identify what it is you do!

• SMILE!

Sounds easy, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to smile!  I have to remind myself of this all the time!  It’s not uncommon for me to get into work mode and appear to be stressed or flustered.  Most of the time I am just focused, but that’s not how I am always perceived.

• Be interested in others.

Here’s one for introverts that makes networking easy.  All you have to do is ask open-ended questions.  When I first started networking, I didn’t open up to people and I certainly wasn’t comfortable talking about myself to them.  My life hack?  Ask them a bunch of questions!

What industries are you looking to get in front of? 

What is the biggest challenge you are facing in the current economy?  

What are your goals for the next five years?

Who are your competitors and how are you positioning yourself in relation to them?

What are your current pain points in your business?

I would turn this into a game.  I would get the other person to talk as much as possible!  Many people (not all) love talking about themselves.  Getting them to talk as much as possible often leaves them thinking, “I like that person!  They were genuinely interested in me!”

Most of the time we would finish our conversation, and they’d walk off not even remembering my first name!  While this isn’t good for your long game, it can help you navigate a potentially stressful networking event until you are comfortable enough to network with strangers!

• Connect people with others in the room.

Oftentimes I’ll meet a realtor, and if I know there is a mortgage lender in the room or a P&C insurance agent, I’ll introduce the two, tell them why they should meet and go on my way!

This is especially handy for wallflowers (aka other introverts).  You know, the people with their backs to the wall, with their noses buried deep in their phones?  Nowadays I make it a point to walk up to them and start a conversation.  Let’s be honest, no one wants to be that person at a networking event that no one talks to.  It’s already uncomfortable, so go help ‘em out! 

Play the question game!  Ask as many open-ended questions as possible, and then introduce them to others in the room!

• Follow up the day after the event.

I try to make it a point to follow up the next business day after a professional networking event.  This could be via text or email (I am a millennial after all), and I also try to book a coffee meeting on the calendar.  I let them know that I am figuring out how to best connect them with others within my business community. 

In summary, being memorable at networking events isn’t difficult, it just takes a little practice!  And if you want to get REALLY good at networking, hit up at least one or two events a week! Just be sure to avoid these networking pitfalls before hitting the happy hours!  This could be a lunch meeting, a happy hour, even a social gathering on meetup.com.  The more you practice, the easier it will get! 

You could even set up your own We&Co Huddle so you are networking with your ideal referral partners.  You know, those people who pass you the most business and vice versa?

About We&Co and The We&Co Huddles

We&Co is a professional co-oping & professional networking business that was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 2020.  While there are many professional networking groups in and around the United States, We&Co focuses on creating small industry-specific groups with five to ten professionals who all have the same target audience but offer different products and services.

In essence, professionals come to us when they want to save time while making more money.  These industry-specific groups are essential pods of professionals surrounded by their ideal referral partners.

These small groups of referral partners (called “Huddles) meet up twice a month for an hour and talk strategy on how to become that one-stop-shop for their clients.  If you are a professional who is interested in joining or launching your own We&Co co-op (or “Huddle” as we like to call them), feel free to shoot us an email at info@weandco.org and a representative will get back to you shortly!