Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of performance through strong human relations, team building, and golajving. This is the seven Minute Leadership Podcast with your host Paul fella Aledo.
Hello, everyone, welcome to the seven Minute Leadership Podcast. It's episode four to seventy seven. Today's episode is titled Networking Tactics how to build high value Contacts. If you're listening right now, there's a good chance you've been to a trade show, a conference, or some type of professional event. You walk in, name badge around your neck, and you see hundreds of people doing the exact same thing. You are looking to make connections. But here's the hard truth
of it all. Most people walk out with a pocket full of business cards end up in the trash. That's not networking, that's just collecting cardboard. So let's talk tactics. And I've mentioned this in a previous episode. I want you to leave your next event with high value contacts that actually turn into opportunities. Step one, be intentional before you even get there. Don't show uplined. Look at the attendee list, study the sponsors, scan the agenda. Identify five
people that you need to meet, not fifty five. That's a manageable number, and it forces you to be selective. Write their names down and make it a mission to connect with them. Step two. Perfect your opener. Most people default two, So what do you do? And that's a week start. Instead, try what brings you to this event or what's been the best session you've heard so far. That creates conversation, and when you open strong, you don't
sound like just another person fishing for their card. Step three. Listen for the hook. In every conversation, there's a detail that tells you how you can provide value. Maybe they say their company is expanding, maybe they're frustrated with staffing, or maybe they're exploring new technology. That's your hook. Take mental note and follow up with something relevant later. Step four. Don't shotgun your cards. Handing out fifty business cards is
not networking. It's desperation. Wait until there's a real exchange of value before you offer yours. If the conversation isn't strong enough to justify a follow up, don't force it. Step five. Anchor the memory. You're not the only person they talk to that day. You need to be remembered the conversation with a tie back to something specific it was great talking to you about your expansion plans in Denver.
I'll send you that article I mentioned that anchor is what makes you stand out when they're reviewing cards later. Step six is the immediate follow up. The event is over, you're tired, but this is where most people drop the ball. Within twenty four hours, send a short message that references your conversation. And the example is John, I enjoyed our chat about leadership training at lunch yesterday. Here's the article I promised. Let's schedule a call next week. Quick, personal
and anchored. Step seven play the long game. High value contacts are not one and done. Put them in your calendar to reconnect with every ninety days, share an update, send a note of congrats if you see them in the news or EA, and just check in with a quick question. That's how you move from a random card to a trusted contact. So let me leave you with this thought. Networking isn't about adding names to your phone.
It's about building relationships that matter. If you walk into your next trade show or conference with these tactics, intentional prep, better openers, listening for the hook, anchoring the memory, and quick follow up, you'll stop wasting time and start building connections that actually pay off. This has been the seven minute Leadership Podcast, and I thank you for listening.
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