Content marketers share their best networking tips for live and virtual events

Humans are innately wired to connect and develop relationships – it's one of the most basic needs ours as humans .

Live networking at industry events is fundamental to career survival. (And advances in virtual events mean face-to-face is no longer synonymous with in-person.)

Whether in the same physical or digital space, you can make valuable connections at conferences.

Of course, not everyone is a born networker; and even the most socially adept conversationalists can struggle to find the right people to talk to, start and maintain productive conversations, or turn sparks of interest into solid business opportunities. probably after the event end .

I pulled out some tips gathered by a friend of the Content Marketing Institute Aaron Orendorff which still works to this day, along with a few more tips from the COVID era.

Prepare for success

Use the app to search for people you want to meet on Twitter and see who you have in common. Referral request. Chat before the event, so it's more like a new friend than "connecting". – Erika Heald

Create pre-event attention. Send greeting cards or create a personalized hello video to EVERYONE you want to meet. – Maneesh Sethi

If you pre-build a strong personal brand for yourself, all people will want to do is connect with you at conferences. – Leonard Kim

Plan to connect with the people you want to meet there before you go. Set date and time. – Lisa Loeffler

Schedule a meeting with the people you want to connect with before attending the conference, @LisaMLoeffler said via @CMContent. #CMWorld Click to post a Tweet

Make relevant connections

If you're there to sell, ask people about themselves first – not only to be a good person, but to qualify them before you start pitching. – Keegan Vance Forte

On the conferencing app, I asked, 'Is anyone in the corporate wellness space? Tell me.' And they did. – Kevin Christie

I like a personalized LinkedIn message that says 'Hi, I see we're both at conference X.' – Claire Trevien

Send a personalized #LinkedIn message to introduce yourself to fellow conference attendees, say @Ctrevien via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to post a Tweet

Attract attention in the crowd

Walk up and just observe… the first thing that comes to mind. It's okay to be authentic: weird! – CD Houston

I love bringing my ukulele! Singing together songs from everyone's hometown is the perfect #GrowthHack! – Matthias Riedl

Ask people if they're going to the party. If they say no, get their drink ticket. You just befriended two (future) friends. – Nadya Khoja

Statement. Wear some delicate. In this age, wear a funny mask. It gives people an opportunity to come and talk to you. – Lisa Dougherty

Wear some flair or a fun mask. According to @Brandlovellc via @CMIContent, this gives people a reason to talk to you at a conference. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

Interact with speakers

To meet someone you follow, give it a natural respite and start a few topics that you know they are interested in. – Anna W. Yunker

After the event, introduce yourself to the speakers with a specific reason you like their blog, book, or presentation. – Roger C. Parker

Find out something about the person you're going to talk to and use that in place of their day job…surprise them. – Billy Connolly

With speakers, check out their stuff, comment, and let them know you're there. I will make time for anyone. – Andrew Davis

When you really want the speaker's attention, be the last to talk to them. – Derric Haynie

To get the speaker's attention, be the last to talk to them, @sixpeppers said via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

Ice break

When you see someone and you're in a group… look at them, contact them, say hello and invite them to join your group. – Bill Cushard

If you see someone alone, reach out and introduce them to someone else, whether that person is a good friend or just someone you bumped into five minutes ago. – Kyle Akerman

I always ask someone's big goal when attending a conference: “What are you mainly here for?” – Brittany Berger

Icebreaker: Ask why they attended the event, @thatBBerg said via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

Reverse

Go to the BEFORE row for those who communicate the most! That's where the action is. – Loes van Dokkum

Switch to native and use the app from the conference, not just regular social media. This adds to the feeling of being inside with all the others, instead of feeling like you're on the outside, looking in. – Mike Meyers

You never know who you're talking to, so give each person your full attention! – Rachel Pedersen

Stay close to food and conversation comes to you; Plus, it's much more natural. – Daniel Kingsley Daines-Hutt

Stay close to the food at the conference and the conversation will come to you, @InboundAscend said via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

Keep the conversations flowing

After you meet someone, immediately search for them on LinkedIn. You will always find some common contacts. – Andy Crestodin

Let's keep the momentum going… I took it a step beyond email and created a Slack Community to maintain the network. – Berrak Sarikaya

At the end of each evening, email everyone you met that day. It will help stick you in their mind. – Tyler Logtenberg

Get a mini Sharpie so you can write notes on business cards. That's who you talk to and connect with afterwards. – Ashley Stryker

Write a note on the back of your business card so you remember who they are and to contact them later, says @writerstryker. Click to Tweet

Add personal resonance

Start a running group. Day 1: 8 a.m. Day 2: 6 a.m. Day 3: 5 a.m. It'll help you connect on a human level and on a small scale, easier than with groups of thousands. – Dominik Grau

Don't treat it like a network. Ask more questions than they do and care, not interesting. – Jay Acunzo

Embrace your uniqueness and embrace it. Own it. Use your unique personality as a bridge to connect with others; You may find interesting common ground. – Ben H. Rome

Use your unique personality to connect with others, @BHrome said via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

Virtual connection

Use the conference app to not only connect with the speakers, but also with the attendees…especially on LinkedIn. – Paula Monroy

Ask questions or chat with fellow attendees before the session begins. Send a private kudo when an audience member asks an interesting or helpful question – Ann Gynn

Turn on your camera during networking sessions. Do not be shy! I know we all hate being on video, but it's the best way to meet other people in the same situation. – Andrea Larick

If the event has an app, create a strong profile and include your social media links. – Lisa Dougherty

Look for any casual sessions (such as Birds of a Feather at Content Marketing World) designed for networking. Prepare an anecdote or tip to share to relieve stress. Follow up by connecting with the host or other attendees on social media after the event. – Kim Moutsos

Connect your laptop to the TV and watch the conference as if it were a TV show. It will be easier to stay engaged and not be distracted by emails etc. Amie Cangelosi

Virtual conference? Connect your laptop to the TV. You won't be distracted by email, says @AmieCangelosi via @CMIContent. #CMWorld Click to Tweet

What's your best networking tip?

Do you have a secret trick to overcome your network anxiety, meet valuable contacts, or turn your one-time conversation into a long-term marketing partnership? Let us know how you work live or virtual floor in the comments section.

content-box-green”> Stay connected with Content Marketing World attendees and speakers throughout the year by following # CMWorld on Twitter.

Cover photo by Joseph Kalinowski / Content Marketing Institute