Networking can be a daunting task but it’s an essential part of business that delivers incredible value, if done correctly.
Whether you are looking to meet new people in the same industry, learn more about the job market, or gain insight into a certain sector, event engagement becomes even more pivotal and attending event networking sessions are the key to connecting with like-minded professionals.
It's easy to envy those that can make a conversation out of nothing. They just make it seem so simple, don't they? You probably walk away from networking events or meetings thinking about that person and wondering how they were able to capture everyone in the room that they spoke to.
It all starts with preparation. For example, what sort of networking questions should you ask during your meeting?
In this article, we explore how to prepare for a networking session, how to ask someone for a meeting, and the perfect questions to ask while networking in 2023.
Before getting into the specifics of what questions you should ask during a meeting and how to maximise your event engagement, it is important to ensure you are properly prepared.
This includes researching the person or organization(s) you will be meeting with, reading up on any current news related to their industry and preparing any talking points or conversational topics that relate to where your own interests and goals overlap with theirs.
It’s time to research what event networking sessions are out there. These can be one-to-one, one-to-many or even many-to-many sessions. You can pay to attend events where pre-scheduled meetings between participants are offered or you can simply participate in free-to-attend meetup events.
Another good place to start is by attending a conference or tradeshow. These can sometimes be free to attend and often there is an event networking platform that will match you with the right participants while keeping your schedule organized. Before the event starts, you can increase your number of meetings by using the mobile event app to research useful participants and send them a meeting request.
When you reach out to someone, include a brief introduction about yourself, your goals and why you would like to meet them. However, it’s important not to be too pushy. Instead, try to end with an open-ended question so that the other person has room for flexibility to schedule a meeting with you.
They will appreciate your professionalism and respect for their time just as much as they will appreciate your interest in learning more about them and their industry.
Now that we know how to prepare for and request a networking meeting let’s look at some perfect questions to ask while networking.
Whilst you can categorize different types of questions (industry, work experience, career path and so on) it is important to ensure you add something about YOU into your questions too.
For example, are you into running? If you've done your research on your fellow networker and know they are also a runner, ask them about the last race they entered, or what they're training for. It will help you to build a much better relationship if you can relate to each other on a personal level and the conversation will then flow more easily. Remember, people do business with others they know, like and trust.
Here are the best questions to ask during networking, grouped into five topics:
These types of questions are perfect if you want to learn more about the industry, trends or specific topics. Some examples of questions you can ask, include:
Dale Carnegie once said: “To be interesting, first you need to be interested.” One way to do this is by asking a little more about the person’s current company or what it's like more broadly in the industry you're enquiring about.
By embracing diversity in the workplace, everyone stands to gain. It can foster both personal and professional development opportunities for all involved and when properly implemented, its effects are far-reaching. Productivity gains from a more diverse organization have been shown time and again (this report claims it’s 1.32 times higher), making this an interesting topic to discuss.
Asking company-related questions is important as it can help you to get a better understanding of the culture and environment as it pertains to them.
When you're at an in-person, virtual or hybrid event networking session, it's important to not seem like you're just demanding insider knowledge of the workings of a person's company or industry.
Here are some questions to ask that don't feel intrusive and keep the conversation going:
Once the conversation is flowing and beginning to slow down, or it's time to move to the next meeting, getting this next part right is essential to ensure the relationship you have built stays strong.
In most professional settings, your fellow networker should be on LinkedIn. Some people may prefer to connect this way rather than giving you their mobile or email address, so have your Linkedin QR code ready to be scanned, so they can instantly connect with you. Or if you want to go old school, simply hand them your business card.
If there is a clear follow-up action from your conversation, suggest you set a follow-up meeting either online or in person. In the case of an online meeting, grab their correct details and send your invite within the next 24 hours to have the greatest impact.
Following that, if it's less urgent, you should also discuss when they'd like to book the meeting (immediately, next week, next quarter). This ensures your follow-up is even more effective and it shows you've listened when they receive your meeting request.
To close your meeting, thank the person for their time and wish them a great rest of the day and that you'll follow up with them post-meeting.
Although networking should be an informal affair with some structure, there are certain topics of conversation that can spoil the mood or cause discomfort (politics, religion, sport, etc.)
You should also avoid joining in on jokes about other companies, individuals or groups. Not only is it unprofessional, but it could also make your colleague feel awkward or embarrassed and you could unintentionally offend someone else in the room.
Finally, relax – you’ll be great!
Don’t forget to relax and enjoy it. Some of the world’s biggest breakthroughs have occurred thanks to the meeting of minds. It can be the highlight of your event if you get to meet some great people who deliver real value.
Networking sessions, fostering strong event engagement, provide an invaluable opportunity for professionals looking to make meaningful connections within their chosen fields.
However, knowing exactly what questions should be asked during these meetings can be intimidating. By planning ahead, doing your research, asking thoughtful questions and following up, you'll be on your way towards mastering the art of networking in no time at all.
