New networkers often encounter the challenges of planning greatly successful networking events. Usually, without great ideas, they might not be taken seriously. After investing in huge resources and putting all of your effort in, nothing can be more heartbreaking than failure. However, we are here to share some tips that have the potential to make your dream networking event successful.
Make No Surprises
When guests think of surprises, it makes them nervous because they might not know how to handle such situations. Managing your expectations can help to maximize the return on investment (ROI) of an upcoming event. Regular event-goers are selective and conscious of the type of networking they aspire to build. When the event is not relevant to them, it becomes a time-wasting schedule on their business calendars. Before you choose who, it is that you should invite, it is important to consider your expectations and possible outcomes and how this can affect the reason of the event-goers. The networker and their objectives must be clear for attendees to know what they need to do, why they should come, what to expect and who they will be seeing.
Apart from Networking, what is The Purpose of the Event?
Top players in the industry often have busy schedules, and they might need to know the need for attending this particular networking event. As people that are down the corporate ladder seek to meet these high net- worth individuals, these top players are also interested in how exactly that they can benefit and who will be helping them. Successful people know the value of exchanging ideas with industry professionals. Instead of looking for new clients at the next networking event, use the opportunity to foster business discussions or mentoring engagements between experts and future professionals. You may want to consider designing the event based off of a specific industry. Perhaps, you are involved in the manufacturing spectrum and are running an event to build connections who specialise in wire work or maybe even 3d wire forming. Whatever the case, cater your event to benefit you as well.
Conduct an Extensive Research
Get experts that are knowledgeable of your industry to speak at the networking event. Also, organizers should consider what demographics of attendees is appropriate and estimated. Every networking event has a central theme that targets specific attendees or areas of the industry. Networking organizers can draw up a list of speakers by researching online to get resource persons. Attendees will be motivated when they listen to messages from successful SME (Small-Medium sized enterprises) owners and entrepreneurs. However, non-profit networking events can be productive when organizers invite facilitators that offer problem-solving ideas. Getting the idea might not be free, but every information is potentially powerful. When seeking out guests or topics, the research you may need to conduct can be quite strenuous if you allow it to be, having fun with this can help with the study. If you were running a networking event for those in the art industry, your research could take you to many a different exhibition showcase and viewing each different museum display can offer you an alternative topic to discuss at an event.
Be Accessible
Organizers should create contact strategies that help to manage the flow of information. To build trust and rapport with any type of attendees, organizers can use great ideas. When organizers meet new people, the exchange of business cards can create opportunities for discussing their networking events. Business cards create access to information and help to share ideas. As a formal method of introduction, the business card with enough information is a subtle format of following up on potential clients.
Create Awareness
Spreading the news about forthcoming networking events can be quite successful with the right strategy. Instead of facing the embarrassment of hosting a few new attendees in an empty room on the day of your event, social media advertisements can help. Hire creative content writers to make an interesting pitch and spread the content across social media platforms. An advantage of social media marketing is that your message goes viral within minutes of posting it. Also, you can add promotional videos to the text and give potential attendees the opportunity of experiencing a memorable event. Make sure you do not forget to include a feedback mechanism in the advertisement; it can help to collate your guest list. Have fun with this part of marketing. This is where you have creative will and the freedom to do what you can through social media to draw in an audience and inform them. If you were involved in a hip and trendy industry, when using social media, you might want to discuss hot topics such as sneaker news or more specifically an open forum discussing the Nike upcoming released. Although this is quite specific, it is just an example of how you can create a relationship with your potential event-goers.
What is Your Budget?
Cost management is essential when planning networking events. Usually, quality service starts from your event and its publicity and pre-event arrangements. Instead of compromising quality, organizers can ask sponsors for partnerships. Create a budget and attach receipts for every expenditure. Usually, networking event sponsors demand accountability when they partner with organizers. For proper accountability, sales of ticket and payment of bills should be handled by different units.
The important thing to remember about running a networking event is that it is as much about you as it is the event-goer. Make sure you are getting as much out of it as possible and creating revenue for you and your brand. Although there are quite a few things to consider when attempting to run the perfect event, it all comes down to what you would want to experience if you were attending one of these events. Put yourself in the position of a potential guest and don’t let your biases narrow your view, listen to outside advice and above all else, have fun with running an event so those attending may also have fun.