Host your own event and shine!

If you are in business, then you most likely hear the word “networking” often. There are about as many ways to network as there are colors in a rainbow! It can be formal, like a BNI networking group, or informal, by meeting people at your church. Organizations like your local chambers of commerce or special interest groups like a real estate agent association also host many networking events.

You can attend networking groups that appeal to a general audience, like the ones hosted by your local chamber, or more specific to your niche, like an oil & gas association.

Whatever your preference is, you can find an event to attend almost any day or night of the week. If you are a social butterfly like me, you can easily fill up your calendar by going from event to event! Some of these events are free, while others charge a small fee.

If you can’t find a group that fits you or your target market, consider hosting your own networking event. This could be the perfect way to connect with your desired audience and attract attention to your business or service!

Details, details, details: crafting the perfect event!

Most networking experts advise having a clear purpose for your event. To help you do that, ask yourself some simple questions. 

• What is the purpose of the event?
• Who should be in the room?
• What will the participants gain or learn from the event?
• Is this event one time or reoccurring?
• If reoccurring, how often will you host the event, monthly, quarterly, annually, etc?
• Where will you host it, what time of day, and how long will the event last?
• Will there be refreshments?
• What is the budget, and will you self-fund or have sponsors?
• Will there be a set agenda with a speaker, or will it be informal?
• Will there be a drawing for a prize?

Planning ahead: your roadmap to event success!

These are just some of the questions you should answer when preparing for your event. Once you’ve chosen the details, it’s important to start planning. 3-6 months is a good rule of thumb to have enough time to plan, prepare, and, most importantly, send out the invitations and post on social media!  

Comfort is key: making your event enjoyable for all!

Consider your guests’ comfort when selecting a place to host your event. When you have many people attending an event, it can be noisy. Does your space absorb sound or enhance sound levels?

The point of the event is for people to connect, and to do that, they need to have conversations. If it’s noisy, that will make it difficult for your guests to hear each other. Selecting a place that doesn’t magnify the noise will make it enjoyable for your guests and encourage them to stay longer.

Will there be some seating for your guests? Some people prefer to stand, but having places for people to sit enables good conversation while providing comfort from aching feet and backs!

Choose an event space that is easily accessible and has adequate parking for all your guests. The last thing you want to hear after spending time planning your event is that one or more of your guests couldn’t attend because they couldn’t find a parking spot!  

Planning and hosting your own networking event can be a great way to attract the people you want to meet while showing your business off to potential clients or referral partners. Be creative and have fun with it. The more fun you have, the more successful your event will be! With some thoughtful planning, you can create an event that everyone will enjoy and want to attend again in the future.

Remember, the biggest key to a successful event is to follow up with your guests and thank them for attending. Start planning your event today, and don’t forget to invite me!