Think networking event - what springs to mind?
A bunch of people trying to sell to you? For the quintessential introvert, fear of a room full of people that you really don't want to talk to?
What if we reframe it and say that the event is simply a placeholder for people to meet AND hopefully have a conversation. A whole heap of events have 'low' attendance, but most organisers don't talk about it, or worse, give up!
Here are some of my reflections from this month's Portfolio People in person event.
1. As the organiser, it is more important to be consistent that worry about turnout. These things take time.
2. It's ok to talk to yourself - in the 'quiet' time - I actually managed to finish and publish a blog post! 😎
3. Whether an event has 00s of people, or <10 - how many people can you actually have a proper conversation with?
4. I got the opportunity to have a proper, one-to-one conversation with those that attended.
5. In the crossover, they found some surface level common ground between themselves. We identified another common fact masked by humour (hint, it may have been to do with their better halves!) Because of my own relationship with each of them, I was able to connect them on something deeper about a common fact. It's then up to them to take that further if they wish.
6. I got to speak with one of the staff at the pub who has sort of also become a friend. A good relationship with your venue is key too!
Networking isn't about numbers, but information. Sometimes discovering who may already be under your nose. If you turn your nose up at an event because 'there's no-one there' - you may miss out on the 'someone' that was.
You just have to ask the right questions.
Agree? Disagree?
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