From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

Advanced meetings

From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

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Advanced meetings

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- They say that a goal without a plan is just a wish. That's why a master networker will plan in advance of an event. I want to give you a couple of tips on how to maximize your networking opportunities even before the event takes place. First, reach out to people who you know will be there. Set up meetings during a trade show if you have enough connections to do so. My old law partner was a master at this. He would schedule 20 meetings or more over the course of a few days, and then hold court at a local university club or affiliate. Next, consider joining something like ClubCorp, which has facilities around the world that you can access as a member. This tip is founded on the notion that some membership clubs can be useful. However, rather than joining an expensive golf or tennis club, getting access to facilities in alternative ways gives you the benefit of being able to network and host like a member, but without the large cost that normally comes with it. Similarly, if you join a university club, you can always look for trade shows that are in cities with club affiliates, and then book a room and hold your meetings. In the world of trademark and patent law events, my former law partner was able to meet in person with every foreign attorney he referred work to over the course of a few days. Even though he usually didn't have time to attend the events themselves, he ended up doing more networking than anyone else there, because of all the pre-booked meetings and various ancillary parties that he would attend. Finally, if you don't have a place to meet your contacts, then meet them in the lobby. This has several advantages. You're not only giving your contact a convenient place to meet; you'll also be doing yourself a favor because you'll be placing yourself squarely in the middle of everyone else in attendance. That will lead to happenstance meetings with people who you know, or who know the person you are meeting with. That could lead to invitations, to other side events, parties, and more. Let advance meetings multiply your connections, and don't let a lack of resources stop you from becoming a master networker.

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