We all know the time, energy, and money that goes into attending networking events or conferences. While you’re there you’re surrounded by people who might be decision-makers, potential collaborators, or even future clients, but everyone’s moving fast, and most conversations are short introductions. Whether you're there to grow professionally, expand your network, generate valuable leads, or make sales that will drive your company or business forward, the investment is significant and you want to ensure every moment spent there brings you closer to achieving your goals.
This guide aims to give you practical and actionable tips that create the impact you’re looking for from attending your next networking event or conference. Let's jump right in.
Step 1: Set Specific Goals
To maximize your impact, approach the event with a strategy. Have measurable goals, and be intentional in your interactions.
How many meaningful connections do you want to make? How many leads are you hoping to gather? Set clear, achievable targets, like:
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“I want to have five high-quality conversations with potential clients.”
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“I’ll aim to exchange contact info with at least 10 people who are in my target industry.”
These numbers give you a clear focus and will help you stay on track.
Step 2: Have A Lead Magnet
When most people go to conferences, they show up with business cards and a vague elevator pitch, but nothing that makes them memorable after the event. A strong lead magnet changes that and allows you to easily stand out from the crowd. Remember your lead magnet is for your target audience, not everyone in the event or conference.
Here are some example lead magnet ideas:
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“I put together a quick checklist of the top 5 tools I use to automate client onboarding, I can send it to you if you’d like?”
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“I just finished a case study showing how we helped a SaaS company double demo bookings in 30 days. I’d be happy to send you the PDF.”
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“I created a 2-minute script that helps founders pitch more confidently on investor calls. I think it might be helpful for you. Let me know if you want me to send it over.”
Forget pens, notepads, business cards, or flyers that you create for the sake of giving something away, your lead magnet is a valuable resource that positions you or your company as a trusted expert there to help.
If you need help coming up with a lead magnet specific to you or your business we recommend checking out Alex Hormozi’s book 100 Million Leads or Russell Brunson’s book Expert Secrets.
Step 3: Prepare Your Follow Up Scripts
Only 2% of sales are made during the first point of contact, while 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups.
Following up is where most people drop the ball, so if you want to maximize your networking efforts, be prepared with follow-up scripts beforehand.
Create simple scripts for different types of follow-up: email, phone, and text. Save them to your notes on your phone or to a Google Doc. Here are some examples:
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Email Script: Keep it short and personalized. Mention something specific from your conversation to jog their memory, and provide a clear call to action. Example: “It was great meeting you at [event name]! I enjoyed hearing about [specific topic]. As promised, here’s the guide I mentioned on [subject].”
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Phone Script: If the person is open to a more personal connection, a phone call can help strengthen the bond. Be sure to keep the call focused and not too sales-driven. Example: “Hi [name], this is [your name] from [event]. We talked about [topic], I just wanted to touch base.”
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Text Script: For those who prefer quick, informal communication, a text can be a great follow-up. Example: “Hey [name], it’s [your name] from [event]. Great chatting with you! I just wanted to share that resource I promised you. Looking forward to connecting again soon!”
By preparing your follow-up scripts in advance, you eliminate the guesswork and ensure that each interaction you had at the event leads to real, actionable opportunities.
Step 4: Make Connecting Easy
People still rely on paper business cards because they are easy to hand out, but even easier to lose or forget. The real challenge isn’t just making a connection; it’s making one that lasts.
That’s where tools like NFC business cards or our Follow Me NFC Keychain come in. Instead of digging through your bag for a card or asking someone to type in your info, you can simply tap your keychain or business card to their phone. In seconds, they have your contact details, social media profiles, or a lead magnet.
In a sea of forgettable interactions, our Follow Me NFC Keychain can help you stand out and make meaningful connections faster than ever.
We hope this guide has helped you and we’d love for you to check out our new NFC Keychains design specifically for networking events and conferences. You can check them out here.
