2. Agenda
• Picking the right events
• (Pre)Event practices/tips
• Working the room
• Follow up, follow up, follow up
3. Research
• Research event & purpose
• Connect with coordinator/host in advance
– Ask for attendee list
• Research past attendees
• Commonalities
4. Pre-Event Tips
• Good grooming isn’t just for dogs
• Refine elevator speech
– Practice! Practice! Practice!
• Dress for the occasion (or one step above)
• Comfortable shoes
• Business cards
• Pen
• Purpose
• Goals
5. Day of Event
• Arrive early!
• *NAME TAG GOES ON THE RIGHT*
• Familiarize yourself with the venue
• Pick your spot(s)
• Ask the event coordinator ahead of time for an
introduction to key people
• Remember your purpose and goals
8. Body Language Tips
• Participants in welcoming groups make eye contact as a
newcomer approaches, raise their brows in a
welcoming way and smile.
• Two people facing outward, instead of directly facing
each other, also signals a readiness to talk.
• People who are genuinely open to new relationships
adopt an open stance, shoulders apart and hands at
their sides, turning slightly toward newcomers to
welcome them.
11. Craft an Interesting Elevator Speech
Sell the problem you solve, not the product.
• Why do you help clients?
• How do you help solve their problem?
Help them understand your:
• Innovation & solution
• What makes you unique and different
• Your market & target audience
14. Ice Breakers
• Comment on the venue, program or food
• Ask people where they traveled from
• Ask whether they’ve been to the event before
– Express interest in why they are attending
– Ask questions about their experience
Don’t feel like you always have to say something profound!
15. Ice Breaker Ideas
• What nice/awful/wet weather we’re having.
• This is a great space. Have you been here before?
• Is this your first time at this event?
• Where did you travel from?
• Do you have any kids?
• What’s your reality-TV guilty pleasure?
• What projects are you currently working on?
16. Conversation Tips
• Ask open-ended questions
• Be a listener
• Go easy on business cards – quality, not quantity
• Help where you can
• Not ditching allowed!
• Stay present
18. Gracious Exits
DON’T APOLOGIZE
• Steve, it was a pleasure speaking with you. I need to catch up with some other
people, but if I don't run into you later, I hope to see you at another event soon.
• Margaret, I have to head out right now, but I really enjoyed learning more about
your work. Could I get your contact info to schedule a time for us to finish our
conversation?
• I had a great time talking with you—are you planning to go to the ____ next
month? It seems like something that would be relevant to both of us, so maybe we
could go together. I’ll follow up with you in the next few days to coordinate.
• I would love to pick your brain more about _____ over lunch some time soon. I
need to say hello to a few others here, but can we plan to connect next week?
19. TIP
• When you get to the car, take out the business cards
and jot down on the back of each notes of your
conversation.
– Did they say something valuable to remember?
– Do you need to follow up with information?
– Was their something compelling you discussed?
21. Connect on LinkedIn
• Personalize your connection message:
– Hi Jim – It was nice speaking with you at the XX event last
night. I look forward to learning more about how you help your
clients and staying connected on LinkedIn. - Stephanie
• If your new connection posts an interesting article, you
may weigh in on the topic or share it. It creates the
opportunity to stay connected without having to
constantly email back and forth.
22. Email
• Send an email
– It doesn’t have to be an essay, just a quick note saying it was
nice meeting you yesterday with a crucial detail or two.
– Think mutually beneficial for the details, such as I am
considering a website design and could we set up a meeting to
talk further about the process or the other networking event
you told me about?
23. Email Etiquette
• Include a subject line that “helps” the reader
– “Great meeting you at the Smart 50 Awards”
• Include a greeting (Hello, Hi) and a closing (Sincerely)
• Use business language and avoid abbrev.
• Use appropriate punctuation and formatting
• Keep it short and to the point
• Don’t use emoticons (for introductory emails)
• Spell chekc!
• Re-read it twice before hitting “send”
24. Meeting Follow Up
• Don’t miss it or cancel
• Have an agenda
• Take note of action items
• Have a plan for next steps
25. Next Networking Event
• Never forget the people you met
• Avoid getting lost
• Networking doesn’t stop when you leave
26. 5 Tips
1. Mints/Gum
2. Put phone on silent/vibrate
3. Prepare your speech in advance
4. Don’t eat/drink too much
5. ALWAYS keep one hand (right) free for shaking hands
27. Questions?
27
Stephanie Smith
Bober Markey Fedorovich
SSmith@bmfcpa.com
330.255.2452
About Me: All Things Accounting
Marketing (a.k.a., making accounting
sound cool), Foodie, Self-Proclaimed
Cheap Wine Connoisseur, Nail Art Addict,
Super Cool Moms Club, Crazy Cat Lady
Editor's Notes
“I believe middle-market businesses deserve equal opportunities when it comes to tax breaks and deductions. By staying up to date on the latest tax changes, I help the middle-market sector identify tax and business opportunities to help them achieve their financial and operational goals.
I’m a tax and business advisor for a top 12 accounting firm in NEO that provides sophisticated audit, tax and consulting services to family-owned businesses in a growth mode, private equity firms and public companies.”
