Conferences are an overwhelming rush of presentations, conversations, and potential meet-ups, and it can be tough to know where to focus your time. How do you figure out which sessions to attend? Should you skip the keynote to meet an important contact? How many coffee dates are too many? And what should you do if you’re an introvert who hates small talk?
What the Experts Say
Skipping conferences is problematic because you’re missing out on the benefits of networking. Today, more than ever before, networks are a key form of social capital for achieving goals in both your professional and personal lives. And meeting people at conferences who likely have the same interests as you and are highly relevant to your work is a good way to nurture and expand your network.
Here’s how to get the most from the conferences you attend.
Change your mindset
Despite the known benefits of having an extensive and diverse network, many people shy away from the opportunity to create new connections. To overcome this fear, try changing your mindset and motives. You’re not just networking because you should; you’re doing it because it’s good for your career. People who focus on their professional aspirations network more frequently compared to those who are focused on merely meeting professional duties.
Pre-introduce yourself
Weeks before the conference starts, think about the people you would really like to get to know and then carve out time to accomplish that goal. Create a “priority wish list” of people you’d like to meet. Send those people an email introducing yourself; if possible, get an introduction from a mutual friend or colleague.
Be strategic with your time
Consider two things when choosing which sessions to attend – it should fulfill either a content goal, meaning the talk will be educational, or it should fulfill an interpersonal goal, meaning you want to meet or support the person who is presenting.
Manage your existing and new professional connections
Conferences can be useful venues to solidify your current professional relationships. After all, good networking not only means creating new connections, it also means maintaining and strengthening existing ones. But don’t spend all of your time with people you already know. That defeats the purpose of going to the conference in the first place.
Principles to Remember
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