Networking parties are a great way to find new clients and increase awareness of your business. Don't know of any in your area? Why not hold your own? With some prep time and work, it may be simpler than you think to hold a successful networking party.
The goal- Keep in mind that you're hosting a networking party, not a sales party. The goal is to have business people meet, mix, mingle, and exchange information. This is not the time to sell your products; this is the time to sell you. You'll be introducing invitees to one another (a great reason for them to come!), and they'll be introducing their guests to you.
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Plan a realistic budget- Networking parties need not be extravagant or expensive. Think about how much you can realistically afford to spend before creating your guest list and securing a venue. There is always something you can do to cut costs - just make sure it's not at the expense of your guests. There are a lot of different options open to you. One thing you can do is to find someone or even a group to co-host the event with you. They can help share in the expenses.
Who should you invite? Think about who you would like to meet and who you would like to put in a room together.
1. Start with your best clients - not necessarily your biggest clients, but your best clients. Which customers have you been able to help the most? Which ones would talk you up to someone else?
2. Now, add some business acquaintances - possibly from other networking or business groups you belong to. You could even invite local Facebook® friends of your business or LinkedIn® contacts.
3. Throw in some invitations to a few close friends (ones who will also talk you up!) for good measure. They'll keep you at ease, if you're a little nervous.
Lastly, ask each invitee to bring a friend. It's a surefire way to meet new potential clients. Ask guests to bring their best client or employee, their boss, even a spouse or friend. Anyone they bring holds a potential business opportunity for you. Remember, you never know who they may know! And, hosting some people who already know each other helps to stimulate conversation.
Don't expect everyone to come- Realistically, about 60-70% of the people you invite may accept your invitation and about 50% of them will actually attend your party. Don't take it to heart. People are just busy and things come up. It's in no way a reflection on you. You'll want to keep this in mind when planning. For example, if you want 10 people to come, invite 20. But keep in mind, those who do attend may bring guests.
Choose a date and time- More of your invitees are likely to attend your party, if it's held for a couple of hours on Friday evening at 6 p.m. or later. It's the end of the standard work week, but doesn't tend to cut into family time or other plans.
Choose a space- A networking party can be held in your home, an office building, a restaurant, or a meeting room. The setting you choose should meet your budget and create a comfortable, yet professional atmosphere for your guests. Keep in mind that there should always be adequate seating for them too. Don't expect them to stand the entire time.
FOOD & DRINK
The idea of a networking party is to mix and mingle. So, you'll probably want to avoid a heavy, sit-down meal. However, a good variety of self-serve snacks and finger foods is often welcome, as is the availability of beverages. Water, coffee, and soft drinks are essential. Alcoholic drinks are not necessary, but if you choose to add them, wine, punch drinks, or beer may be served.
TIP: Don't skimp on the food and drinks. Make sure that everything is fresh, tasty, and of good quality. If doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant - just good!
"Send" the invitations It's perfectly acceptable (and some would say, preferred) to make a friendly, but professional phone call or send your invitations electronically. Websites like Evite.com let you to send invitations before, and thank you notes after your party. Guests can also provide RSVP information with comments directly through the website. Social networking sites, such as Facebook®, offer calendaring and party/event planning features too. You can even create a page for your event. This is great if want to plan a reoccurring event.
Send out your invitations two or three weeks in advance. The business people you invite are busy. Give them the opportunity to get your event on their calendars and plan around it.
TIP: When sending invitations, be sure to point out to invitees that your gathering is a networking party. This lets guests know that their attendance will serve them as much as it will serve you.
Example:
Join us to socialize and network at
The Pinehurst Community Professionals' Meet-and-Greet January 28, 2011 6 p.m.
[Address]
Please RSVP to your host, Miranda Johnson [Email address, and/or phone number]
We look forward to seeing you!
GREETING GUESTS
Have an established greeting area near the entrance to your venue where you will greet everyone personally, or have an assigned greeter. Write-on name tags should always be provided so that guests may write down their names and the name of their company. They also help you and guests in those awkward I-forgot-your-name situations. Additionally, you should have a way to collect guest information, such as a bowl or box for business cards or contact slips.
TIP: Always have small pre-printed contact slip forms available, just in case anyone forgets, doesn't have, or runs out of business cards.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
This is your party and you want to make connections for yourself. But, you also want to make sure that others are networking too. Review your RSVP information ahead of time, so you know who may be in the room, even if you don't know them personally. This will help you find the people you really want to meet and also help you introduce guests to one another.
TIP: If you were unable to meet each invitee and their guest at the door, make sure that you get to each one and spend at least a few minutes with them.
THANK YOUS
Remember to send a thank you to everyone who attended. This can be easily done online through the invitation website you used or simply through a heartfelt email. This simple gesture will help keep you in mind and increases your opportunity for future networking.
DO IT AGAIN!
Why not make your party a regular event, such as an annual holiday party or a quarterly gathering. If you plan well, keep well connected with your attendees, and always invite some new people, they will be clamoring to get in - and to get to know your business!
Host Your Own Networking Party
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