As an entrepreneur, you’re always looking for new ways to learn and educate yourself about the industry.
Though some areas and the events they hold are limited, many big cities offer a number of tech events and meetups for you to attend. If you’re finding these activities to be boring or useless, you may not be utilizing them to the best of your ability.
If you’re attending events and not gaining anything from them, then follow these tips before attending the next tech get-together.
Talk to People
If you’re strictly attending the event to see what it’s all about rather than finding people to network with, you’re making a huge mistake. These meetups and events usually hold a period before the keynote speakers begin where you’re supposed to mingle with other techies or entrepreneurs.
Take advantage of this small portion of time. It doesn’t matter what the subject matter is. In the field of entrepreneurship, startup founders or developers, many people like to share and discuss what they’re doing and what everybody else is doing. This is a chance for you to network and possibly meet someone who can benefit you or vice versa.
Running a business requires you to meet new people and share ideas. You never know who you may meet – the next Bill Gates could be waiting to share a cocktail with you.
Pay Attention
Obviously you’re attending the event to hear a speaker or see a demonstration – so do exactly what you came for. Don’t sit and text your boyfriend or girlfriend during the keynote speaker. If there is a luncheon or dinner available, pay attention to the guests sitting around you when they are speaking.
It’s easy to get sidetracked or bored if the topic doesn’t interest you, but when you’re listening you are able to pick up on things you may not find anywhere else. Giving someone your full attention is not only beneficial to you, but it is the respectful thing to do.
Be Memorable
You don’t have to be Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars circa 2013 memorable and trip up or down the stairs, but make sure you presence is known and remembered.
Bring a product that people have never seen before or unique business cards you’ve created. Tell a story that is so embarrassing it’s almost impossible to live down. Share an experience that will touch the people you meet in a way that your face will never be forgotten.
Engaging in memorable activities will put a name to your brand. Even if the people around you have never tried or been involved in your business, when they see your face, they will immediately associate with you the memorable experience and share that with others.
Share Interests
This can serve as a few different purposes. You want to share what field of work you’re in for business purposes, because you never know what kind of people you will meet. If you’re in need of a developer, discuss your forte – and emphasize on how poor of a developer you are. Sharing the areas you’re interested and educated in can provide you with options to meet other people who are interested in different areas.
Another way to share interests is to talk about things other than work. Potential clients and business partners like to get together and discuss things outside of the business realm. Building relationships can be done while enjoying other activities, such as dining at a sushi restaurant or riding bicycles. This can help you form bonds with people for many reasons, including networking and friendships.
Be Friendly
Last but obviously not least, is to be friendly. If someone is talking your ear off and you are completely uninterested, being rude is unnecessary. Let them finish what they are saying and then tell them you’re going to venture on your own for a bit.
Remember that you want to show everyone the same courtesy you would want in return. If you’re cutting people off because they don’t share the same interests as you or you don’t need their knowledge, you may prevent yourself from hearing something useful.
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