When you take a social media class or any other business-related class, do you come prepared to network?

Having both taken and taught a wide range of social media classes, I am struck by the incredible networking opportunities these classes offer.

However, in order to make this type of networking work you for you, you need to do some preparation prior to arriving at class, you need to reach out to your classmates, and you need to follow up afterwards.

Preparations Prior to the Class

• Be sure to have your business cards with you.
• Think about what kinds of people you hope to meet and not only how they might be able to help you, but how you could help them.
• Plan to ask questions and/or make comments during the class. Bring a list of questions, or write some questions down as the class progresses. People are more likely to approach you during the break or after class if you make comments and/or ask questions during the class.

 

During the Class

• Make a point to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the class and even earlier if your schedule permits.
• As mentioned earlier, participation is important, but be sure to avoid asking so many questions or making so many comments that you become the dominant voice, as doing so can annoy your classmates.
• Take notes as your fellow attendees are introducing themselves – jot down their names as well as what they talk about. One helpful trick is to draw a quick sketch of the seating arrangement and place the names of your classmates in the spot that corresponds to where they are seated.
• At the break, approach at least one or two people (depending on the length of the break), and find out more about them. Use the notes you made as they introduced themselves as your guide for how to start a conversation.
• If possible, stick around for a few minutes after the class to talk with people you weren’t able to connect with during the break or before the class.

 

Follow Up After the Class

• Reach out personally via phone and/or email to class members you would like to get to know better and suggest getting together.
• Invite these same class members to connect with you on LinkedIn.
• Like the Facebook business pages of any class members you want to get to know better.
• Follow the person on Twitter if they have a presence there.
• Play matchmaker. Make suggestions to fellow attendees regarding others in the class that they might want to get to know.

 

How About You?

What tips do you have to offer to have an effective networking experience at a social media or other business-related class? What works best? What should you avoid doing?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.