Everyone knows the Irish are a friendly bunch and love to have a chat so networking with people at the Summit should be easy, no? Well the idea of walking into a room full of strangers can make many break into a cold sweat so here are some networking tips to help you make the most of this great conference. After all, with 20,000 people expected to attend over three days you want to make the most of the experience:
1. Do some research:
The Web Summit guys have made it easy for everyone with easy access to lists of companies who will speak at the event and event attendees. Also there are lots of after parties at the Night Summit where the casual environment should make it easy to meet people. But identify in advance who the top people you might want to meet are. Make sure you schedule yourself to attend those key speaker events so even if you don’t get to speak to them right after the event you at least have a chance to identify them later at networking events
2. Don’t Sell:
This sounds strange as you may be motivated to sell what you do to others but when networking your primary goal is to build a relationship first, you can follow up and sell later. So listen, ask questions, find a way to help that person with a connection and then they are more likely to accept your follow up request
3. Confidence is Key:
Many think that only extroverts are good at networking but that isn’t the case. They may meet more people but an introvert may have more meaningful connections and have just as much success. But be passionate about what you do and confident in your beliefs and that will engage people
4. Be good at small talk:
You need to get the conversation started somehow so make an effort to start with small talk before launching into what you do etc. With so many nationalities attending the Summit, where are you from? Is it your first time in Dublin? All good topics to get chatting easily
5. Have something interesting to say:
Understand what you do, seems simple but many people fail to explain what they do and why they are at a particular event so practice saying it out loud and make sure it sounds interesting to engage people
6. Business Cards:
Of course you want to be able to follow up with an interesting contact but only offer to exchange cards after you have developed a relationship of trust and rapport, this is not a card counting exercise
7. Follow up:
The biggest failure of networking is the failure to follow through and follow up. First ask the person if it’s okay to connect with them on LinkedIn or email and where possible offer to do something for them like connect them with someone useful
Fancy learning some more random facts about Dublin and more on our thriving tech industry? Then pop along to our open house networking breakfast each morning of the web summit from 8-11am, you will be greeted by freshly brewed coffee, friendly t-shirts and a takeaway Ireland t-shirt.
