3 ways to make your networking days more productive

Networking days can be time consuming

People often ask me how to get more done on days when they are networking. The most common situation I hear is, “Networking events take so much time out of my day. How do I keep my day productive?”

Even though a networking event that you attend is just a couple of hours, when you factor in that you have to find a good stopping point with the work you were already doing before you leave for the event, usually have to find parking, and make sure you have your ticket or pass to your event; all those kinds of tasks add up. Before you know it, half of your day is gone. I’ve come up with some quick tips I use to keep your networking days productive and efficient so that you can get the most out of your day.

Tips to keep your networking days productive and efficient

1. Plan out your day in advance – If you already anticipate you’ll be at a networking event, make sure you schedule things like phone calls or events that don’t typically run long before the event so that you can keep working and remain productive right up until the event.

2. Keep yourself organized – I use an app called ‘toodledo‘ which is a to-do checklist that syncs with your phone and the web. I usually make a to-do checklist of all the things I need to bring with me to the event, such as bring business cards, bring my event ticket with me, charge my phone or bring a backup charger, bring a spare pen or marker so business contacts can write down my info if needed, etc.

3. Focus on only big goals – Clarify what your short and long term business goals are at the time you attend a networking event. What do you need the most of at this time? Do you need a larger sales team? Do you need to meet connector type personalities to grow your network exponentially? Whatever you need at the time, make sure to write down just a few goals and objectives over how to achieve those goals. Make sure you have a clear understanding of how an ideal outcome at the event that you’re attending will help bring you closer to achieving your long term goals with your business. Remember those objectives so that you can stay focused on meeting just the people need to meet at your networking event.