Upside: Early-morning events are popular among higher-level executives and decision makers eager to get a jump on the day.
Downside: Breakfasts are often sit-down affairs without much time for working the room.
Don¹t forget to... Snag a seat at the table where your desired contact is sitting, suggests Linc Miller, a networking coach and general manager at Greg Nanigian & Associates, a sales and management training firm in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Upside: The informal format allows for the most schmoozing
opportunities.
Downside: Happy hour events tend to draw younger crowds, so don¹t plan to meet many decision makers at cocktail parties.
Don¹t forget to... Stand near the bar, where people tend to congregate.
Upside: The specific subject matter makes it easier to figure out if
attendees are in your target audience.
Downside: Depending on the schedule of speakers, there may not be much time for mingling.
Don¹t forget to... Prepare beforehand and ask smart questions.
Upside: Trade events draw a high concentration of like-minded businesspeople.
Downside: Competition may be stiff.
Don¹t forget to... Call event coordinators ahead of time and find out as much as possible about the other people expected to attend, including names of specific companies and executives.
Upside: Attending community events is a good way to establish a local client base and practice networking.
Downside: Local events may not be worthwhile if you¹re eager to expand your client base.
Don¹t forget to... Arrive early and stay late to avoid cliques.