Tradeshows can be an intimidating place. There are droves of people (most of whom you do not know), a host of talks and demonstrations going on, and an intense feeling urging you to make good use of this time. Don’t shy away, get excited!
At a networking event, you will share ideas about marketing and operations with other professionals who are doing it successfully. You receive lots of ideas on running your business more efficiently, industry trends, and also get introduced to new products that are being brought to the market. There are always ways to improve your operations and trade shows are the best places to learn (for example, you might have learned about the value of PawLoyalty Kennel Software at a tradeshow!). You’ll be surprised at how much more you can bring to your business after attending one event.
Here are some simple tips on how to prepare so that other professionals will be taking notes from you:
Networking Needs:
Working Pen
Business cards (take a lot with you, the most common issue we hear is of people running out of these)
Your Phone
Small notebook
Look at the list of speakers at the event. While it is helpful to hear from speakers on your specific pet service, try to go to speakers that will have an audience of other types of pet business. For example, if you are in kennel services, you may want to go to a dog grooming speaker to see what stylists and grooming experts you can network with.
It is valuable to jot down details about them or their business. Personally I jot these notes down on their actual business card for follow up after the event. Do not rely solely on your memory or theirs because you both will be networking with many pet care professionals throughout the event.
“Hi, I’m Sally with Tail Waggin’ Training. I am here to learn about new products to carry in my retail store and best practices around merchandising. “
Throwing out what you are hoping to get increases the likelihood that the conversations you have will contain information that answers those questions or goals.
At a networking event, you will share ideas about marketing and operations with other professionals who are doing it successfully. You receive lots of ideas on running your business more efficiently, industry trends, and also get introduced to new products that are being brought to the market. There are always ways to improve your operations and trade shows are the best places to learn (for example, you might have learned about the value of PawLoyalty Kennel Software at a tradeshow!). You’ll be surprised at how much more you can bring to your business after attending one event.
Here are some simple tips on how to prepare so that other professionals will be taking notes from you:
1. Present yourself well.
Eat beforehand so you can concentrate on networking. Make sure your shirt is stain-free, and you’ve taken care of all your hygienic needs. Feeling like you look good can make a big difference in your confidence and focus. Plus, professionals will want to network with other professionals. If you do not look and carry yourself like a professional, you may not be taken seriously. We recommend that you wear a shirt or polo with your brand logo on it. Other pet care professionals can use your business brand as an icebreaker when they want to network with you.Networking Needs:
Working Pen
Business cards (take a lot with you, the most common issue we hear is of people running out of these)
Your Phone
Small notebook
2. Have a plan.
Try to prepare as much as you can beforehand. Review the conference mailings and event schedule to create a game plan of what speakers you want to hear, which booths you want to visit, etc. You don’t want to waste valuable time at the event doing this. Know what types of pet industry experts you want to network with. While you can’t plan down to the tee whom you will meet, you can at least know where you plan to meet them.Look at the list of speakers at the event. While it is helpful to hear from speakers on your specific pet service, try to go to speakers that will have an audience of other types of pet business. For example, if you are in kennel services, you may want to go to a dog grooming speaker to see what stylists and grooming experts you can network with.
3. Take notes on who you network with.
Collecting business cards is usually not enough. Because you will want to follow up with potential business partners after the event, write down conversation details to email them that will trigger their memories of your conversation.It is valuable to jot down details about them or their business. Personally I jot these notes down on their actual business card for follow up after the event. Do not rely solely on your memory or theirs because you both will be networking with many pet care professionals throughout the event.
4. Have your elevator pitch ready to go.
Be able to explain your business within a couple of sentences and include some things that you are trying to get out of the conference.“Hi, I’m Sally with Tail Waggin’ Training. I am here to learn about new products to carry in my retail store and best practices around merchandising. “
Throwing out what you are hoping to get increases the likelihood that the conversations you have will contain information that answers those questions or goals.
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