5 things I’ve learned from my first networking event

Networking is a huge part of marketing for any profession and that is just the way it seems to be. When I was a teenager, I was massively put off a career in marketing because of all the networking and people-facing responsibilities you have within the role, I would have much rather hid behind a computer and write content all day. The last thing I wanted was to be in a position where I had to sell something to someone and face the possibility of rejection.

Now I have started working in marketing, I have learned that it is not about ‘selling’ because nobody really likes to be sold to. People like to talk to actual people! They are more likely to want to get to know you and be informed on something they didn’t already know before they are interested in buying your product or invest in your services. I was thrilled to hear this news because talking about stuff that excites me is probably my favourite thing to do. I also enjoy helping people so if I think someone will benefit from investing in a product or service I know something about, I will happily tell them about it.

Knowing that I now enjoy marketing and I’m not afraid of rejection, I had an opportunity to attend a networking event. Alone. I thought, why not? It is just a lot of people in a huge building with lots of different businesses. No big deal. Honestly, I was overwhelmed when I first turned up. However, it didn’t take me long to get comfortable at all after I realised there are no rules, most people are genuinely friendly and anyone can gain something out of the experience.

Here are 5 things I have learned after attending my first networking event.

There are no rules on what you have to say or do

The night before, I searched the internet for relevant questions to ask other businesses and how you should dress. The answers I found were vague or smart and professional. Lists of questions to ask about the business or the people and they may be useful questions, but how do you casually ask such a crafted question? There was no way I could just approach someone and authentically ask them, ‘what’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in your career so far?’ or ‘how did you join this industry?’ There was no advice online about how to begin the conversation or how to introduce yourself.

‘Hello’ is the most obvious, sure. A lot of the time I started a conversation by telling them my name and that I was very new to networking or asking about a tote bag they were giving away, a mug or asking if they’d been to the stand where you can spin a wheel and win a free cocktail or a spa day. You have to start moving around to notice things and feel the excitement and then what to say and do will just come to you naturally.

You don’t need to speak to as many people as possible to make it valuable

Initially, I planned on selecting a few businesses to go and speak to and have a lengthy conversation rather than bouncing from stand to stand. Of course, this never happened! I come away with goody bags, a mug, a tote bag, a bunch of business cards and leaflets because I got wrapped up in the excitement. Which is okay! I did have some useful conversations and I made a handful of valuable connections which is what networking is all about. Getting to know people in your industry and that is pretty much it. It is far better to take the time to have a conversation with someone, introduce yourself and get their name so you remember each other. I was then able to follow up by connecting with the people I spoke to on LinkedIn and sent them a personalised message thanking them for their advice and information. If you speak to lots of different people and get no names or information about them, you probably won’t be able to follow up that conversation later and therefore you haven’t really fulfilled the purpose of networking.

Most people are very friendly and want to tell you about themselves

I was very apprehensive about going to different tables and chatting to people. I felt like an imposter, I had never been to a networking event before and I didn’t feel like I was qualified enough to be there. I assumed most people were managers, entrepreneur’s or directors and there I was, just two months into my first marketing position as a ‘professional’. Once I started moving around introducing myself authentically as a new professional in the marketing industry, most people were very keen to speak to me and give me some advice and reassurance. Some people asked me if I had business cards to help me out when I forgot to mention where I work and the services we provide so overall, it was a lovely experience.

You don’t have to be an extrovert, but it helps

Generally, I love going out and meeting friends and I get energised from meeting new people and it just makes me happier and more excited in general. It is probably why I enjoyed working in hospitality for so long because I genuinely love people. It meant that once I got over the initial anxiety of being in a new place with hundreds of bodies, I felt very bubbly and eager to speak to anyone who was available!

Of course a lot of people are very successful at networking and events but they may not be or consider themselves to be social butterflies. It definitely confirmed to me that I am an extrovert because I felt it made it a lot easier for me because I got such a buzz from all the different people at the event.