How to Network with Other Scientists at Conferences

Steal my process to meet the right people at conferences 👇 You get out of a conference what you put in. With conference season upon us (I attended 3 this week), use these 8️⃣ hacks to make your time widely more productive. 1️⃣ Have a plan Download the attendee or exhibitor list ahead of time. Map out the companies and people that are high-target and prioritize those first. 2️⃣ Use pre-conference messaging to set up meetings Use email and LinkedIn to reach out to key targets ahead of the conference & set up meetings while you’re there. Now, they’re already primed on your company, and the meeting will be so much more impactful. 3️⃣ Take (organized) notes!! I come away from every conversation with the name, company, email, and something to remember from our conversation. I keep a running note in my Apple Notes app and add photos (of the booth and business card) directly into the note to help provide context and jog my memory. Take selfies with people you meet so you remember the person and can share them in your event follow-up messaging. 4️⃣ Don’t get stuck It’s easy to lose precious time caught up in long conversations with the wrong people. There is typically a type of person that I’m looking to talk to. When I approach a booth, I ask for this person. Then, I ask early qualifying questions to figure out if it makes sense to talk more about Brij - or if it’s not a fit for our ICP. If not a fit, I politely thank them for their time and quickly end the conversation - saving valuable time for both of us. 5️⃣ Bring your extroverted self It can be extremely uncomfortable to strike up conversations with complete strangers, but networking is part of the entire purpose of conferences. I find it helpful to kick off a conversation by asking the person I’m approaching about their role with the product. Sit with random people during lunch and different breaks - it’s an easy way to strike up a conversation. 6️⃣ Choose your outfit wisely Wear something memorable but comfortable. I have a few go-to outfits that are either bright or polka dot, so I’m easy to remember. You’re going to be on your feet ALL day. I usually opt for sneakers or flat, supportive boots. 7️⃣ Hustle to find invites to post-conference events Find out who’s hosting cocktail hours after the conference. During the show, I’ll ask people about their plans for later and if I can tag along. These more relaxed settings are often a better way to build deeper relationships. 8️⃣ Immediately follow up I use my detailed notes to send a relevant and personalized follow-up, mentioning specific things we discussed in our conversation ASAP. LinkedIn request and a short note that day. Email for the day they’re back from the conference. 👉 How do you most productively use your time at conferences and trade shows? #conferences #tradeshow #networking

Networking can feel like a daunting task, especially for us introverts (yes, I’m an introvert #iykyk). Walking into a crowded conference room can sometimes feel more overwhelming than energizing, right? Over the years, I've developed a simple yet powerful framework that helps me navigate these situations with intention and actually get the results I'm looking for. I call it the 3-2-1 Networking Framework. Here's how it works: 🎯 3 Strong Contacts: Instead of aiming to collect a stack of business cards you'll never follow up with, go into your event with the goal of making 3 meaningful connections that can genuinely help you achieve a specific goal. This focus allows you to be more present in conversations and truly remember who you've met. Quality over quantity, always! 🗣️ 2 Small Details: Beyond the business talk, make a conscious effort to remember at least 2 seemingly small, personal details about the people you connect with. Did they mention their child's name? Are they excited about an upcoming vacation? Did you both realize you're part of the same sorority? These personal touches create a stronger, more memorable connection. 💡 Pro-tip: Start with the name! This past week at IIEX, I had a few instances where people mistook me for another researcher. While she's fantastic, it highlighted the importance of truly seeing individuals past basic shared demographics. 📣 Another pro-tip (especially when connecting with Black women): Please remember something other than our hair. Our styles are diverse and can change frequently - at least mine does 🤣. Focusing solely on a hairstyle can lead to missed connections – let's move beyond superficial identifiers and get to the heart of the people. 🚀 1 Must-Do Goal: Walk into your networking event with at least 1 clear, actionable goal. Is it to identify potential business partners, find a new vendor, learn about a specific industry trend, or even land one new client? Having this singular focus will direct your conversations and make your time much more effective. You don't need a laundry list of objectives; sometimes, all it takes is one spark to ignite something bigger and better. This 3-2-1 framework has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to turn up the energy when needed, stay focused, and build authentic connections that truly matter. Give it a try at your next event and let me know how it works for you! #networking #introvert #connections #businesstips #IIEX

I attended eight conferences this year — my most in one year. These are my five takeaways for optimizing conference success. 1️⃣ Riches in niches. The more hyper-focused, the better. Niche conversations are substantive, the connections are better-qualified, and the network is already interwoven. It's easier to follow a path from person to person ... "You need to meet...!" 2️⃣ Speak on stage. This is the most efficient way to find the hand raisers. Not sure how to get on stage? If you’re not sponsoring, simply email your pitch to the conference organizers. Follow up. Sell yourself. 3️⃣ Target. Reach out to relevant speakers with value; why should they meet you? Contact info is easy to find; if they’re a speaker, there’s a good chance they have a personal website. Even the biggest names enjoy the flattery of targeted pre-outreach. If you’ve demonstrated the time to write a personal note, they’re a more likely yes. 4️⃣ Touch and go. The goal is to make a personal intro, create initial value, and set a reason to follow up. Go deeper later. 5️⃣ Follow up. It’s easy (and lazy) to “get to it later.” Follow up with everyone same day. My approach: I give anyone I want to follow up with my phone to type in their email address. I send an email on the spot with the subject line, “Following up.” Later that night, I’ll go through my sent mail and write my follow ups as replies: Set a next meeting, send information, or just say that I enjoyed our conversation. Have any tips to add? Drop them below. 2024 conferences ImpactEleven VidCon VidSummit CreatorFest LIVE Lou Mongello Momentum Mastermind Archangel Summit Cornell University Trustee-Council Annual Meeting FinCon

One of my favorite pieces of advice to give to early career professionals about how to maximize networking opportunities at a conference: Stand up and ask a question during a session early on in the program. You get to introduce yourself to the entire audience in one fell swoop by stating your name and company before asking your question. And ideally you ask a thoughtful and memorable question on the topic you most want to talk to people about. Now you’ve teed yourself up for the most fruitful conversations possible throughout the rest of the event. You might have to remind people “I’m so-and-so, the person who asked the question about XYZ during the session on ABC” but then you can continue on to ask what they think about the topic. It’s a great conversation starter aligned with your business objectives for the conference.