Ways to Make an Impact at Business Events
Networking events are always daunting, but they can be especially difficult for female entrepreneurs. In a male-dominated business world, the successes of women are often overlooked.
Although we have made a lot of progress, there is still a long way to go and there are many men in the business world that will not see women on an equal footing at a networking event.
This often means that women leave networking events feeling deflated because they have not made the connections that they hoped to. But it’s important that you don’t let that put you off attending these events because they can be very useful.
Follow these simple tips to get yourself noticed and break any stereotypes that people have about female entrepreneurs.
Confidence Is Key
The kind of people that are likely to overlook women are those who expect you to be more passive than the men at an event. So, even though confidence is always important when networking, it’s especially important for women.
Don’t wait for people to approach you and start a conversation, find the people that you want to connect with and approach them. Make sure that you are confident and you drive the conversation as much as possible.
Show people that you are just as successful as anybody else in the room and you have just as much to offer. This can be difficult, especially if you are new to networking events.
However, the more events you attend, the easier it will become, and before you know it, you’ll be the most confident person in the room.
Connect With Other Successful Women
When networking, it is frustrating when people don’t recognize your value. So, why not find people that do?
There are plenty of successful women out there and empowered women will lift up their peers and help them find new opportunities. These power brokers will help you build your confidence and support you, so seek them out and connect with them.
That doesn’t mean that women should only network with other women, but it’s a good place to start if you find networking difficult.
Be Proactive About The Follow-Up
When you have made a connection with somebody at an event, be proactive about following up. Don’t wait around for them to make the first move, be decisive.
At the end of the conversation, give them your details and ask for theirs. Let them know that you will be in touch soon.
It’s a good idea to put some thought into your business card too, and consider using interesting design ideas like gold foil business cards too. It’s only a small thing, but it leaves a lasting impression and differentiates you from the crowd.
A day or two after the event, send a follow-up email to the people who made an impression on you and ask for a meeting.
Shout About Your Successes
The biggest mistake people make when networking is trying to be modest. You don’t want people to think you’re showing off and you don’t want to shove a sales pitch in their face, so instead, you keep quiet about your business successes.
Unfortunately, this means that your achievements go unnoticed. So, don’t be afraid to tell people about how well you are doing.
Networking events can be tough for female entrepreneurs but if you keep these tips in mind, you can make an impression next time you attend one.
