Get out of the office and attend a local event!
When I was coming up in PR, I made it a point to attend key events related to my clients and their business, as well as anything related to PR. Over the course of 14 or so years, I met some of the most important and helpful people in my career – many of whom are still part of my circle of friends and business associates.
Somewhere along the way, I got too busy running things at FutureWorks and keeping things moving and shaking for our clients, and I found networking events slowly dropping out of my calendar. Instead, I was encouraging teammates to attend industry mixers and events, but when you lead by example, those around you mirror your actions – or in this case inactions. While we were busy making things happen in the trenches, the world around us was changing, new associations were forming, alliances were forging, and tomorrow’s leaders were shaking hands with those who would eventually help them succeed and grow together.
I know that sounds dramatic. But in the grand scheme of things, the right events attract the right people. And the right people make their mark in business.
Most of the time I hear that the trendy “PR/marketing-opp” networking events that pop-up around the country are only for those seeking popularity within a very fixed sphere of limited potential and promise. It’s true that there is a cast of usual suspects that make the rounds. But what I’m proposing is that you pick the events that are good for you, matter to the industry in which you work, and offer something to help you grow. What I’m not proposing is that you become a socialite.
I’ve recently made it a point to step out of the routine, out of my comfort zone, and into the realm of relevant mixers and events. In my business (tech, web, wine, consumer electronics), it’s an exciting time, and new events and formats are emerging such as mixers featuring 60 second company/people spotlights, meetups, unconferences, and bar camps among traditional panels and educational seminars.
Conference and event rules are shaking up, formats are redefined, and the end result is relevance mixed with fun and productivity.
Aside from learning and tapping into the pulse of activity, you’ll find your contacts at LinkedIn (myspace for business professionals) blossom with valuable contacts. In the last few events I’ve attended, I’ve met with leading journalists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, visionaries, venture capitalists, all on an even playing field.
Some of the things I’ve heard from attendees:
“I survived the recession with the help of all the contacts I made at these events for several years.”
“The new breed of marketers and PR professionals in this room tonight are solidifying their place in this economy. The people they meet and work here with will help them grow and succeed.”
Following is a list of some of the events I make a point of attending:
Third Thursday
STIRR
Silicon Valley New Tech meetup
Churchill Club
SVASE
TIE
SF Tech Sessions
SF Web Innovators
If you’re looking for cool, local, and appropriate events for you, go to Meetup and Upcoming and run a search. You’ll be amazed at just how much activity is around you. So, get out of the office, attend events, and get linked-in!
I’m with you on the need for networking. In my experience I’ve gained the most value in not necessarily networking at PR events but tech sector events (as that’s the type of PR I work in). In my region (Saacramento) the big organizations for these events are Golden Capital Network, SARTA and TechCoire. Right now exactly half of my client is a direct result of contacts I made at these events.
The main benefit of tools like LinkedIn to me is almost like a ‘tickler file’ to remind me of where the people that I already know are.
Either way, great advice above.
Comment by Josh Morgan — July 27, 2006 @ 1:48 am
Great piece. Couldn’t agree more
I recently spoke to Chris Heuer who recently co-founded the
social media club — and I opined on this very topic.
It goes to John Naisbitt’s high tech/high touch theory. New technologies always need a counterbalancing human element to be successful. Blogging is no different.
That is one reason why I joined the atlanta media bloggers group
atlanta media bloggers
here in the heart of dixie.
As I wrote:
According to Heuer, there is a real need for people to come together in person in the real world and share ideas and best practices. While blogging has a global reach, he is hoping that blogging will foster relationships at the community level as well. Virtual connections can start dialogues, but in-person connections are much deeper and more lasting.
Look forward to an in person introduction.
Comment by Dan Greenfield — July 28, 2006 @ 3:33 pm
[…] Forward Blog: Get out of the office and attend a local event! Networking is underrated. PR people don’t get that you need to network - in real world, high-touch - to cement connections and people. While working with Optoma, we did events that range from typical industry events, to me chatting up some products when I meet home theater enthusiasts. Remembering that email isn’t enough, but you need to get out there, seems to be a dying thing. […]
Pingback by Blog Run » Blog Archive » Hockey Rules, Surveys are a Joke, Networking and Layoffs — July 31, 2006 @ 3:26 am
True - I definitely do not network in person as much as I should, but it is great that online networking has become such a phenomenon. While there are many great benfits of personal connections (mentioned above) online connections allow you to learn from and meet others from around the globe and country that you would never meet.
If you are intersted in networking, also try Public Relations Chat
http://www.publicrelationschat.com
Comment by Joe PR Professional — February 22, 2007 @ 6:04 pm