9 Networking Tips for Chamber Events and Beyond

One of the main reasons business owners join a chamber of commerce is to gain access to the business community. Networking helps give you, as a business owner, access to new opportunities and perspectives. However, the thought of approaching a crowd of strangers at a networking event can be intimidating. Here are a few steps you can take that can help you get over that initial hurdle of first introductions.

1. Bring a friend! We love it if you bring a guest, especially someone who is curious about joining the chamber.
2. Meet an acquaintance there. Is there anyone who you exchanged cards with at another meeting? Maybe that person is looking for an excuse to go and doesn’t know anyone either! Why not ask them to come along?
3. Let your chamber ambassador know you’re coming. We ambassadors try to attend as many events as possible and love meeting our buddies. If you don’t know who your assigned ambassador is, check in with the SCC office (office@sammamishchamber.org) and ask!
4. Know what to expect and pick the right event for you. The chamber has several types of events on a regular basis. For example, Fab 5 networking events include members of the Sammamish, SnoValley, Mercer Island, Issaquah and Newcastle chambers. Fab 5 events typically have higher attendance yet encourage networking in smaller groups for short amounts of time by including ice-breaking questions. By contrast, Sammamish Chamber Breakfasts and Coffee & Connections events are smaller and in a more intimate space. Networking is also possible in the first 30 minutes of the Sammamish chamber luncheons. Those tend to be less intimate and less structured but often attract people from outside the chamber. More info about events can be found on the Chamber Events page.
5. Come prepared. Be able to succinctly share a few words about your company and what you’re hoping to get from the networking session. Are there any particular types of business owners you’d like to meet? That helps people know what kind of opportunities to send your way.
6. Bring your business cards, QR codes, and/or links. It depends on the person, but business cards are widely accepted.
7. Have a few questions in your back pocket for those less structured encounters. Examples: “How did you get started in your business?”, “How do you see the future of this industry?”, “What are your biggest goals for the next 12 months?”, “What types of companies/people would be good referral partners for you?”.
8. Make it easy for others to join the conversation. Whenever you’re talking, instead of standing face-to-face or in a closed circle, try to make an opening so that someone new can join the conversation. That way, someone who might be less inclined to jump in can feel a little more welcome. Be neighborly and acknowledge anyone who is hanging out on the edge of the conversation circle. They may be your next client or referral partner!
9. Follow up with the contacts you make. If you exchange contact details and you’d like to solidify the connection, let them know you enjoyed the conversation and invite them to meet with you again. You can also follow them and their company on social media.
10. This should get you through the first few meetings and on the road to making some great connections. The more you do it, the easier it is! Happy networking!