Networking is an art, but it’s also easy to fumble. At Wine Down Wednesday, we’re here to help you avoid common pitfalls and network like a pro.
Mistake #1: Forgetting Your Elevator Pitch
Your elevator pitch is your golden ticket to making a strong first impression. It’s your chance to tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should connect with you—all in 30 seconds or less. Without it, you risk fumbling through introductions or missing out on potential opportunities to stand out.
What’s the Fix? Prepare and practice! Craft a concise, authentic introduction that highlights your expertise and passion. Here’s a simple formula to follow:
Who you are: Start with your name and professional title or role.
What you do: Briefly describe your key skills or area of expertise.
Why it matters: Share what excites you about your work or a recent accomplishment.
For example:
"Hi, I’m Taylor, a financial advisor specializing in helping young professionals build wealth. I love creating strategies that simplify money management and make financial independence attainable for everyone."
Mistake #2: Only Talking About Yourself
It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing solely on your own achievements, goals, and experiences during a conversation. While it’s important to share who you are, networking is a two-way street. When the spotlight stays on you for too long, you risk missing out on valuable insights, connections, and opportunities to truly engage with others.
What’s the Fix? Shift the focus! Networking isn’t just about selling yourself—it’s about building relationships. Engage others by asking thoughtful, open-ended questions that encourage them to share their stories, passions, and expertise.
Here are a few questions to spark conversations:
"What inspired you to get into your field?"
"What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on?"
"What’s a challenge have you overcome?"
People love when you show genuine interest in their experiences, and it often leads to a more natural and memorable exchange.
Pro Tip: Be an active listener. Make eye contact, nod to show understanding, and follow up with related questions or comments. This shows that you value their input and are truly invested in the conversation.
Mistake #3: Not Following Up
You’ve had great conversations, exchanged contact information, and made connections at Wine Down Wednesday—but then what? One of the biggest missed opportunities in networking is failing to follow up. Without follow-up, those promising interactions might fade into distant memories.
What’s the Fix? Make it a priority to follow up within 24-48 hours after the event while the connection is still fresh. Here’s how you can make your follow-up meaningful:
Personalized Email: Send a short and personalized email. Reference a specific topic you discussed to show you were paying attention. For example: "Hi [Name], it was a pleasure meeting you at Wine Down Wednesday! I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. I’d love to stay in touch and explore how we might collaborate in the future."
Socia Media Connection: Connect on social media with a friendly note. Mention where you met and thank them for their time. Example:" Hi [Name], I enjoyed meeting you at Wine Down Wednesday! Let’s stay connected—I’d love to keep the conversation going about [specific topic]."
Share Value: If relevant, share an article, podcast, or resource related to their interests or the topic you discussed. This positions you as thoughtful and helpful.
Schedule a Follow-Up Coffee or Call: If the connection seems promising, invite them to a one-on-one coffee or virtual chat to deepen the relationship.
Join Us for Networking That Works! At Wine Down Wednesday, we create an environment where you can practice these tips while enjoying good food, good wine, and the company of amazing individuals. The next event is on February 5th—mark your calendar!
Let’s toast to building better connections together.
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