Post-conference Networking: How to Engage Contacts
Conferences – whether business or academic in nature – are one of the most valuable networking resources. While certainly not the only way to connect with fellow scientists, researchers, and scholars in your discipline, a conference is the most effective one.
However, what many attendees struggle with is fostering these connections once the event is over. That’s why, in this post, we will share a few tips that will help you maintain and build upon your network upon your return home.
Networking tips at the conference
Successful post-event networking starts at the conference. This is where you lay the groundwork for your future mutually beneficial relationship with contacts.
- Stay at the conference hotel or close to the venue: A lot of networking happens outside of the official program – attendees getting together for dinner or drinks after the sessions. If possible, book your accommodation either at the conference venue (if it’s a hotel) or nearby. This way, you won’t miss out on the more informal networking opportunities.
- Engage in the art of listening: While small talk is a great way to break the ice, try to get to know the people you are conversing with. Pay attention to their feedback on presentations, ask them thoughtful questions about their research and areas of interest, etc. To make sure you remember these tidbits of information, write them down afterwards.
- Exchange contact information on the spot:Â It will help you a great deal after the event if you have the contact information of the person you’d like to follow up with. So make sure to exchange business cards or, at the very least, jot down the email address of that contact.
- Connect on LinkedIn/Xing:Â At the end of a conference day, look up the people you’d like to remain in touch with on the professional social networking site that you use and add the contacts. Your request is far more likely to be accepted while the memory of the conversation is still fresh.
- Identify collaboration opportunities and gauge interest:Â If, based on the original conversation, you feel strongly about the possibility of a collaboration down the line, mention it briefly to this conference participant and see the reaction. Determine whether there is potential interest.
- Be authentic: It’s alright to be nervous. Networking is not a natural skill – it’s a learned one. However, don’t try to hide your anxiety behind inauthenticity. Most people can sense it, which makes them distrust you. Show genuine interest in other people, be respectful, and try to identify with each interaction how you could add value.
- Use the event’s mobile app (if applicable): Many conferences, academic events included, utilize mobile applications to facilitate networking – along with offering a range of other useful features. Take advantage of it. Schedule meetings, message attendees you want to catch up with over coffee breaks, use the QR codes to exchange contact information, and so on.
- Manage your time: Look, not every conversation you have at the conference is going to lead to a lifelong professional contact. In fact, most of them won’t. Learn to gracefully exit conversations – the last thing you want is come off as rude. You have only a few hours of networking at the conference, so use it wisely.
- Following these tips will enable you to build a solid foundation for your post-event networking, maximizing your chances of developing fruitful relations with those you met at the conference.
Post-conference networking tips
If you followed most of our networking tips at the conference, you will return home with a treasure trove of contacts. It is time to nurture and grow your conference network. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Organize your contacts:Â Take a couple of hours to go through each business card and LinkedIn/Xing connection. Consult your notes. Try to figure out what type of engagement you potentially see with each person down the line. Here, we don’t just mean what you could potentially gain from this network member. Lifelong connections are a two-way street. Think of how you could contribute to their professional success. For example:
- Are there any job opportunities that you think would be of interest to that person?
- Will this attendee benefit from getting introduced to someone in your existing network?
- Are you aware of any grants and partnership opportunities that this person could benefit from?
- Is there a scholarly article or paper that you think would be useful for their next research?
- Follow up as soon as you return: It’s best not to wait too long before sending a quick message to your newly established contacts. Conferences – at least good ones – immerse attendees in this learning ecosystem that’s outside of the daily tasks and hassles. So don’t let your efforts lose momentum. Send an email letting them know how much of a pleasure it was to meet at the conference. Personalize each note, mentioning one thing that stood out in your conversation with that person. If you think you can be of value to that person – see Point 1 – mention that. If there is a collaboration possibility, schedule a call.
- Connect on LinkedIn/Xing:Â If you didn’t get a chance to connect to the attendees on a professional social media site at the conference, now is the time to do it.
- Check in a few times a year:Â There are a number of ways to keep your contacts “warm”. For example, if you publish a new paper in a scientific journal, send a link to your contacts. Ask for feedback. Similarly, if you see that someone in your new network published a scientific article, or got a new job, or got promoted, or is celebrating any other achievement, drop them a message congratulating them. If you learn of an opportunity that might be of interest to your contact or come across an article/resource/workshop/conference, let this person know. Inform them if you’re planning to attend the next annual event, inquiring whether you would have the pleasure of seeing them again. Remember: look for opportunities to provide value whenever possible.
Putting in the time and effort to maintain and strengthen your network after a conference is an essential part of building long-lasting professional relationships. It’s not just about what you can gain from your contacts but also how you can contribute to their success. The more work you put into networking at the event, the easier your follow-ups are going to be.
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