The art of networking
Despite the appeal of a cooked breakfast or drinks and nibbles, it can be daunting entering a room full of strangers at networking events. Trust us when we tell you that our first few times weren’t easy! But, as self-appointed networking queens, Anna, Maddison, and Ash from AGC have learned a thing or two over the years about how to find your people and build beneficial connections
First and foremost though, preparing an elevator pitch is essential. If you can practice and deliver a short 30-60 second introduction (roughly the time it takes to ride an elevator) following a basic formula, you’ll ensure that people are interested in engaging with you. Remember though that your pitch shouldn’t be ‘one-size-fits-all’, instead, personalise the pitch to your audience and cater to their specific interests.
This means doing your homework by reading up on the context of the event and checking out the guest list. This way you can make informed decisions about who you would like to interact with, why and how before you turn up!
Anna - The Perfect Pitch Formula:
The hardest part- but one of the most important!
Make it interesting with a hook, anecdote, or leading question
e.g. “When I first started AGC, I noticed we were talking to a lot of business owners who were overwhelmed with their day-to-day leaving them with little time to stay on top of ever-evolving social media trends or to find fresh ideas for their marketing strategy. This is where we come in, think of us as your strategic storytellers instead of a typical marketing agency. We’re all about turning your business into a success story, quite literally!”
“We are a full-service agency so our team has the combined expertise to create engaging campaigns that not only grab attention but also show how your brand can solve problems.’
Our clients turn to us because we don’t do generic or cookie-cutter campaigns and hope for the best. We start by diving deep into your brand’s DNA and defining your audience’s desires. Plus, we offer end-to-end support, including photo and video production services. We don’t do one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we tailor our strategies to meet your specific needs and goals, whether that’s boosting sales, increasing brand awareness, or launching a new service.”
For example, “I’d love the opportunity to chat further and get to know your business, perhaps we could help you become the next big story everyone’s talking about!”.
Why it works: First impressions count! If you make a clear, concise opportunity for connection, the conversation just flows naturally and you’ll have delivered a memorable summary of how your business can help!
Maddison - The Strategic Approach
I believe that networking with intention and purpose is key! If you’re looking to supercharge your networking game, here are four simple steps to strategic networking that can lead to new projects in under 5 minutes.
- Ask yourself how you could benefit the connection
- Ask yourself how the connection could benefit you
- Pitch with purpose - introduce yourself confidently and nail your elevator pitch by finding mutual ground!
- Follow up with actions - email, re-introduce yourself, where you met, and how you intend on acting on your original offering from your pitch and potential collaberation
- Long story short . . . . . this more often then not lands a new project in the pipeline and it takes less than 5 minutes in total to make a connection.
Why it works: Save yourself and your potential connections the small talk by setting intentions for your networking and walk away with opportunities, NOT just linked-in connections.
Ash- The social approach:
Often in business, we are always focused on our goals, what is being and done and what needs to be done.
It can be quite lonely and overwhelming sometimes, especially if you don’t know many people in business.
I approach networking for the social aspect, to connect with other business owners who experience the same challenges as i do.
While this may not seem immediately beneficial to growing your business, surrounding yourself with a solid network will boost your confidence, make you feel supported and overall more positive.
So when you are preparing to attend your next event and the butterflies start to kick in, remember that the art of networking becomes easier with the right approach.
Crafting a compelling elevator pitch and embracing a strategic networking mindset are the keys to success. By following these simple steps and being intentional with your networking efforts, you can transform brief encounters into valuable opportunities. So, don’t be daunted by the crowd; instead, confidently engage, connect, and watch as your network grows, bringing new projects and collaborations within easy reach.