10 Networking Strategies for Internet Marketing Seminars

Subscribe in a reader Internet Business September 14th, 2007

There are a million reasons to go to an Internet Marketing Seminar. Everything from feeling isolated in your business and needing to see a real person, to learning from some of the most successful marketers in the country how you can increase income and decrease workload.  However, once you add up the cost of the trip and the time it takes to do it, you will want to come home with more than a packet full of ideas and a couple of brochures on traffic increase. 

The most valuable resource you can pick up is people. Networking and creating relationships with other marketers is the best way to further your business and feel good about your investment.  There are some strategies to make networking a fast and easy part of your next journey.

10 Strategies 

1. Look Around – When you go to the classes or break out groups, start looking around at the people who seem to be interested in the same things you are.  It can help you connect later if you are shy about approaching people.  Take note of who asks questions or seems to have insight about the same topics that you have an interest in.  Later at dinner or in a waiting area you can mention what class you saw them in, and follow up on their interest.

2. Stay Positive – One of the easy things to do at seminars is complain.  “They charged us how much for that boxed lunch?”  “Didn’t he just give us the same list that is in his book?”  But complaining doesn’t make you someone people really want to network with.  You don’t want to be known as that person who whines all the time.  Instead, find positive things to comment on that will draw people toward you.  “This reminded me of his book, have you read it?” is a much more inviting way to bring people into your conversation and make knowing you a more appealing prospect.
   
   
3. Follow Up – One of the biggest mistakes we make in networking is meeting someone, getting their business card and never talking to them again until the next seminar.  Make sure to follow up on a contact at the event. If you see that person at dinner or in another class, talk to them again.  When you get home, take out all the cards you’ve collected at the event and write an email to each one that says you were glad to meet them and reminds them of your contact information and specialty.  Do not send it to everyone at once. Use a blind copy method so each person feels like you are paying special attention to them.

4. Be Open To All People – Often between the sessions, meals and events there doesn’t seem like there is enough networking time so we tend to focus on people who we think can help us in the long run. However, don’t write off someone you meet just because they aren’t doing what you are doing.  Chances are you may want their expertise some day.  For example, let’s say you meet someone involved in niche marketing.  You aren’t interested in that and have largely been living off of Adsense.  If you just walk away, you might never learn their secrets for attracting traffic to their site.  And, if you decide later on to add some niche marketing to your business, you won’t have the contact information to get some tips and advice.  Don’t filter out your future by only meeting people like yourself.

5. Find Commonalities – Just as it’s important to be open to a diverse range of contacts, it is also important to find people who are doing the same things you are to share ideas, strengths and goals.  Even when you are in a group of people who seem to do something differently, you can find certain things that tie you together as allies, both working toward a higher monthly income.

6. Ask Questions – People love to talk about themselves and what they are doing.  A great strategy for meeting people is to ask them questions. Even if it’s a question you already know the answer to or have information on, allowing someone else to answer a question for you gives them an increase in confidence. That makes them feel good and they want to help you all they can.  As your mother taught you when you were a kid, “ask, don’t tell.”

7. Linger Longer – After a long seminar or at the end of a particularly dull breakout session it’s a natural instinct to run away and get some fresh air. Lingering after session can give you an idea about who is really interested in the topic, or is focused on meeting new people. It can also sometimes offer you an opportunity to meet a speaker personally, or see who the movers and shakers behind the event really are.

8. Help Others – If someone mentions to you that they missed a session on a topic you attended, offer to give them a run-down of the event.  Being helpful is a great way to show others you aren’t just there for you and only you, and that allows them to feel better about sharing ideas, tips and help with you as well.  Networking isn’t about meeting people. It’s about creating future relationships that work.  Start the work out right by helping other people and get a reputation as a go-to person. It will draw traffic your way as surely as a banner ad.

9. Use Open Body Language – Nothing puts people off more than someone standing around with their arms crossed, their shoulders dropping or their frown apparent. Use an open body stance (arms open or available to gesture), and smile warmly when people look your direction.  Avoid lurking in doorways and step into rooms confidently. People approach those who appear to be approachable.

10.  Be Prepared – Don’t go out networking without everything you need. Make sure you have plenty of business cards with contact information on them. No one keeps the corner of a folder or napkin with someone’s information scrawled on it. Have a pen that works handy to jot down notes, directions or ideas. Know the conference center or hotel and tell people how to get around or find you.  Learn the restaurants in the vicinity so you can take people to lunch and talk a little shop.