Research my networking events? Why would I do that?

Not all networking opportunities are created equal. Some are high stakes, some medium, and some low, but how do you know what stakes they are if you don’t do a little research before you go?   

In this 10 point blog series, we’ll give you one simple item per blog to ponder and to use as a research tool to help you know before you go.  

And, when you know, you can: 

• Spend the right amount of time preparing.

• Decide if it’s time to be polished or if it's an opportunity to practice (e.g. new intro, new convo starter).

• Know if it’s worth the squeeze. Networking can be a full-time endeavor if we let it, so when events have to fall off, you’ll know which ones to cut and which ones are crucial.

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#1 Networking Host/Sponsor Sniff Test

 

Start with researchign the event host and the event sponsor(s) if any.

Does their work align with your industry, audience, or goals? Are there people from that industry/audience that you can be of service to or help connect?

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Want some tips on the Practiced Professional's* approach to doing the sniff test?

1. Use Google, LinkedIn, ChatGPT… to learn more about the event and the event host.

2. Find out if the event also has sponsors.

3. Use Google, LinkedIn, ChatGPT… to learn more about the sponsors.

4. Ponder the question "Do the host and/or sponsors overlap with my industry, goals, or curiosity?"  If yes, take this intel into consideration to determine if this will be a high, medium, or low stakes event. The more alignment the higher the stakes!

*What’s a Practiced Professional?  Someone who doesn’t just wing it. They put in the reps so when the moment comes (expected or not) they show up ready, authentic, and unshakably confident.

And this just in! Our next Networking Practice Lab is on September 11–12 in Denver!

If you build your book of business through networking, come join us and sharpen your instincts, strengthen your skills, and sniff out better opportunities—so you’re not just showing up, you’re standing out.

At Articulated Intelligence we provide professional development practice labs, staff training, and leadership retreats in the areas of networking, impactful presentations, and leveraging stories in professional settings to build relationships, lead teams with authenticity and confidence, and close more business.