Workshop 3:Preparation, Follow-Up, and Creating

Meaningful Relationships

This workshop will guide students through the process of company research before a networking session, as well as

effective follow-up after a networking session.

Presenter: Queena Deschene, Event Marketing@missqueena – 619.630.7086

They’re ready to meet. Are you?

Preparation: Who am I and Who can help me?• How do I determine my goals and objective prior to the networking event?

– Your current position or status– How can a contact or conversation help my company?– WIIFM: What’s In It For Me?– SWOT Analysis: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats– List of power partners, key contacts

• What aspects or qualities of a company representative should I remember?– During conversation, level of engagement and demeanor– High/low level description of his/her position or role in the company– Business card: appearance, texture, style, weight

• How do I know if someone at the networking session is very important?– Operations vs. strategic business professional– Affiliation with the event: sponsor, supporter, or attendee?– Online research: FollowerWonk, LinkedIn,

Who do you want to connect with?

Preparation: Event Logistics• What should I research before a networking event to

minimize time spent getting there?– Host objectives or initiatives– Your own personal time commitment– Event Format, Schedule, types of activities– Venue Size, $$, Yelp reviews, access, parking– Method of invitation, organization of event planning

• What materials should I prepare before a networking event to maximize face time?

– Promotional Materials– Business cards– Pen: easy to write on any surface– Notepad: small and compact– Business card reader– Phone camera to help remember the person’s face

Event Format: Seminar, Workshop, Roundtable, Panel, Forum Invitation

Seminar example: iMarketers

Event Format: Networking, Mixer Invitation

Event Format: SD6degrees Mixer example

Event Format: Award Ceremony, Dinner, Gala, Banquet Invitation

HKASC 2009 Banquet example

Follow-Up: Continue the conversation

• How long after the networking session should I wait before I contact someone?

• What are the best means of communication for follow-up?

• How do I maintain a professional connection if I do not need anything specific from them right away?

• What are the next steps after the initial follow-up?• What actions should I take after I have established

a coffee date or a business luncheon?

Business Cards: the exchange and storage

1. Be selective about your “ask”. Verbally state what purpose you are giving this person your card

2. Make quick notes while you’re in conversation

3. Circle or * the best contact method

4. Write a date and keyword you will remember about this person

Timing: Don’t play the dating game• How long after the networking session should I wait before I

contact someone?– 24-48 hours is the email standard– 3 days to 1 week is acceptable, event is still fresh in memory– Tit for tat: Beyond 1 week reciprocates and prolongs likelihood of

contact’s immediate response in the future

• What are the best means of communication for follow-up?– 2-3 sentence email is standard– Phone or voicemail is highly (emotionally) involved and very

touching for the recipient– If a personal or overly friendly connection was established, save

the text message for later.

Stay in touch with an “ask”• What are the next steps after the initial follow-up?

– Be genuine and stay interested in the other person, find out more about their goals

– Research the person’s contribution to the company• What actions should I take after I have established a coffee

date or a business luncheon?– It may be acceptable to add him/her on LinkedIn– Know concisely what you want him/her to provide you– Remind him/her of names/materials/information to bring to the

meeting• How do I maintain a professional connection if I do not need

anything specific from them right away?– Send a brief “nice to meet you” email– Offer your services, even if you don’t need them– Close the email with a mention of reconnecting in the future

Follow-up Etiquette, Examples• http://www.dailywritingtips.com/email-etiquette/• http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-a-thank-you-note/• http://www.thank-you-note-samples.com/business-thank-you-

note.html

Dear [Boss' name],I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful event you arranged. I truly

enjoy working with this group, and the delicious lunch made me like my job even more! I know I speak for others when I say that I appreciated the thoughtful gesture and really had a great time.

Thanks again!Sincerely,