Network Like a Pro: From Awkward Hellos to Awesome Partnerships

It’s a supplier and planner party! Learn how to be the best at both sides of the dance.

Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards—it’s about building long-term partnerships. Elizabeth, Liz, and David share their personal stories of connecting with suppliers and planners who became trusted partners and friends. They provide practical advice on how to turn a cold introduction into a warm and lasting professional relationship. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you'll find useful strategies on how to be the kind of supplier or planner that others want to work with. This episode will make you rethink how you approach every handshake and introduce you to the true power of intentional networking.

Connect with us on Instagram

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to another episode of Event Therapy podcast. We are so excited to be here with you today as a group with Liz, David, and myself to talk about our favorite topic, which is networking and how to be a better supplier and planner. Yeah. Love it. Yes.

(00:01):
Yeah. Great topic. Let's dive in. It's how we all know each other. Right?
At one point, we networked and started forming this relationship here. Look at us. That's right. At one point, we actually didn't know each other. Did not know.
Hard to believe. I know. Right? Yeah. Now we do business together.
We do business together. I love it. I know. Some would say we do everything together. Here we are again at the kitchen table.
Yep. Alright. Dining room at least. Right? Dining room table.
Sorry. Dining room table. Alright. Samantha is here. Terrible.
There you go. We'll call it the podcast table. That's that's a fair compromise. Yes. Absolutely.
Well, let's start with it. What are your favorite ways to network? I mean, I know mine. Mhmm. But I I'd be curious considering, you know, since we do do everything together, I know we have maybe some differences.
Sure. So Ladies first? No. I was just gonna say you go first. This is the I don't just there's other ways to network than network.
I think everything is networking is what I would maybe say. Like, I feel like, obviously, there's professional networking, which we can talk about. But even, like, you know, I do a lot of youth sports and, like, I have clients that have come from, you know, that. So I think and networking also can be in different parts of your life, not necessarily just, you know, your business life. So Yeah.
Might just be called something different, but Yeah. But we at that point. Because we're network is your network. It's your friend network. It's your family network.
It's your, you know, mom friend network. It's your sports network. It's your professional network. So, I mean, obviously, we can dive into the professional side of this conversation, but I think everyone you meet is part of your network and and can help you, and you can help them in different ways. So, thanks.
That's such a good point because I think you're you're so true on that. Everybody thinks professional. Yeah. You know, how, you know, how am I networking professionally? Well, you can network in every day of your life, you know, in extracurriculars, friends that you groups that you hang out with.
We're about to be dance moms together. Oh, are we? It's official. I think I'm pretty sure it's official. Our daughters and me, we dance together.
I know. Now I've made it official. Yeah. I've said it. Yeah.
And that helped somebody else's business. You know, I because through our, you know, relationship, now you've found this dance studio, and now we get to be dance host together. David's excited about that. So let's talk about professional networking since Since that is why we're here. Since that's why we're here.
Happens when you kicked it to me first. No. It's okay. No. I I honestly, I think you do bring very valid points up.
You know? But from the professional standpoint, I mean, to me, I I and I don't know if this is if we're giving advice or just, you know, how do we do it? Like, I I think I learned early on to network with intent. Like, make sure that the reason first of all, make sure if you're going to a networking experience, you know why you're going, you know, who's gonna be there, and you just have some level of intention. Right?
From a professional standpoint, if if I'm looking to get more clients, I'm not gonna go to, like, a, you know, just some random come out and hang out and have beers with your dog. Like, who knows who's gonna be at that? And then maybe you could get some business out of that or not, but I would much rather go to a networking environment. That other one sounded fun to me. I know.
I I I get it. I get it. I get it. I get it. I'm real in this professionalism today.
I can see this. No. I'm just kidding. But, I mean, I I would I would wanna go somewhere where I know there are potential people in the room that either I've already started a relationship with that I wanna continue that relationship or that I am going with the intent. Let's say that I never have met the 2 of you, but I've heard such great things about you.

(00:22):
Okay. Well, I know that they're gonna be at this networking event. This gives me an opportunity to speak to them and potentially speak to them in an environment where maybe all 3 of us are having a conversation together, which when it's the initial conversation, if the 2 of you already know each other, it just makes it a little bit more comfortable for everybody versus if we just ran into each other 1 on 1, and then who knows how the level of comfortability there could be. Because I I mean, I think if you ask anybody, like, what's the biggest hurdle to overcome? That's it.
It's like that almost like that ripping the Band Aid off. And then once you do, it's all good, but it's just getting to that point of ripping that Band Aid off. And there's nothing worse than going to a networking event and not talking to anybody and then walking away and saying, why did I even come in the 1st place? Yeah. Yeah.
You know? So I think there has to be that intent. I think what you're bringing up, and I think is so key to people right now, is you're bringing up value of time. Sure. You know, is it worth my time, which in my mind, I have a dollar or cost amount on, to give up time away from my family or doing something else to go.
Do I see the value in it? Yeah. And I think a lot of people are struggling with that, especially, you know, coming out and out of, you know, hate to even bring it up, but, you know, COVID when everybody was so, like, reclused, I feel like everybody started almost in a way valuing and appreciating more of their family home life, work life balance, that it's now more at the forefront of people. They still wanna come out. They still wanna network.
They still wanna talk to people. But instead of just doing everything to do it, it's, you know, how is it gonna benefit me? Yeah. Well, if you think about it, like, everything else in your life, you can get back. You can get money back.
You can get things back. You can't get time back. Once it's gone, it's gone. Yeah. So even though there's that added layer of, you know, spending time with your family or friends or whatever is most important to you, even without that, like, it's still your time.
Like, you just can't get that back to to decide what you want to do with it. So the the the what is almost not as important as, like think of, like, think of, like, a bank account where they have money in it. Every time you take it out, it's never gonna come back if you think about it in that process. Like, nothing you can do to replace that. And and I think, when you when you have that level of understanding of time, then you are very, acute to what you do with it.
Mhmm. Yeah. And, I mean, I think going into a a networking situation, obviously, you mentioned being in the right group of people, like, and understanding that. And then, you know, sometimes you don't know that initially, but and you could test the waters with going to an event and seeing, you know, was that the best place, but probably not gonna invest your time again if it's not. But, like, truly seeing every relationship, everyone you meet as some form of value.
Yeah. You know, even if that's that you can help them, you know, or that you made a connection that may you know, every you know, not feeling sold to, I think, you know, all of us would agree. When you go to these, it's about building a relationship, getting to know people, and then that is just the starting point, the networking event. You know, what you do with it after that is the most important. And I think going into the event knowing that and not necessarily you you know, I think so many salespeople walk away and be like, oh, I didn't get any leads or I didn't get any like, it's that takes time.
That is not an immediate thing that's gonna happen, you know, but did you meet somebody who can maybe help you meet someone else? Or did you learn something? Or do you have a better network now, you know, because of that event? So I think there's just a lot of of, you know, great value you can get out of networking that's not necessarily, like and it's never gonna be probably that you walked away with a lead or a piece of business. I mean, that's prepared.
And circling back to what you said before, like, the cool thing is that, like and and you just said this too is, like, you might be the one that is able to provide something for somebody else, and it will it will come back. It will come back. Like, anytime anytime, I think, younger in my career, and and I think everybody makes this mistake in their career. They're like, okay. I'm gonna go to this place.
I'm gonna meet these 5 people, and I'm gonna tell them how great I am, and I'm a and it's kinda like, open it and they will come mentality, right, which is so not the case. Right? Like, I don't know you, so I don't know if I like you, and I definitely know if I can trust you, which is still the oldest, like, thing in the book when it comes to working with people. Whether we consciously think about it or not, it is always the decision making factor. Right?
So it doesn't matter whether we're consciously or unconsciously thinking about that. We are always thinking about that. So you've got to and and, you know, I talk about this a lot too. Like, being a farmer, plant seeds, plant seeds, plant seeds, and then nurture those seeds. And, eventually, if you do that right, the crop will grow.
But the crop is not you're not gonna plant that seed today, wake up tomorrow, and the plant's grown. It's just not gonna happen. Yep. Yeah. Always be networking.
I was That's what we were gonna say. Going I had that in my head, always be networking. Yeah. Yes. I love it.
I've see, same same brain. Same brain. Yep. Same brain. So we we Poor David.
I'm sorry. Poor David, 3rd wheel. I'm good. So we talked about, you know, networking professional. There's all these different types of options, luncheons, happy hours, you know, different types of round tables.
I think for me, personally, I like round table or luncheons, But, you know, I also feel that goes with you get what you put in, which I think you kinda touched on, David. So what are some industry groups for somebody who's maybe, you know, not really great at networking or doesn't really know where to network, where they could be able to be open to some of these experiences? I mean, I know we all know NPI. Sure. I mean, is there anywhere else?
I know. You're right. Well, here here's one that'll that might throw you off. But and and it can be very intimidating, but it can also be very helpful as Toastmasters is a great one. Oh, yes.
I've had so many people try and get me to do it. It's it's great. Yes. I totally could see you doing that. Yes.
It's And you've done it? I've been to some Toastmaster events before. Teaching you. That's my god. So there there is that intimidation about you.

(00:43):
Like, eventually, they're gonna get you to stand up in front of people and talk. And, you know, that for for most people, that's intimidating. Right? But it will help. Is that gonna help with networking?
Maybe not. But it will help you be equipped to be a better networker. So that's where the the rubber meets. Some of those hurdles that, you know, are scary to people. I and I think I think this all the time.
Like, I think people see me as a networker, like, somebody who's super comfortable networking. And I think when you think internally, I'm like, I can't believe that people think that about me or that I that's even me because the me, you know, 20 years ago or even probably less than 20 years ago, was absolutely terrified to walk into an event where I didn't know anybody. I think the more you do it, the more you get comfortable with it and the more you, like, just know that everyone in the room feels like that. Yeah. You know?
And if you can be you know, especially if you're the person in the room who does know people, like, be supportive to the people that don't. Like, I always want to try and make people feel welcome in a group where they don't know anyone because we were all that person that once walked into a room and didn't know anyone, and we all know how uncomfortable that is. So I think the more you can help with that and it gives and it and to this day, if I walk into an event, I still have that feeling. Yeah. I think that is just the more that I realize everyone feels like that, the more I was like, oh, okay.
It's not just me, you know, feeling like this. And then the more you push yourself to do it, then the more you're, like, just more comfortable doing it. But also what happens is you turn into more of a connector. So you go from networker to connector. Right?
Because now you you know you you have the most real estate in the room. Right? Because you know more people in the room than that new person does. So you have turned into a connector, and that's what we all eventually you that's what you should strive to do is turn into being a connector. Mhmm.
It's like everything else in life. The more you give, the more you will get back. So the more that I can get to know you and know what you're looking for, know you and know what you're looking for, and then this person comes in and they're telling me something, I'm like, oh, you know what? I have the perfect person to connect you with. You know, Elizabeth was just telling me that she was looking for, you know, blah blah blah.
Yeah. Whatever that case may be. And so now you're a connector instead of a networker, and I I have to do this thing. Too because I'm so much more comfortable in the connector space. Like Mhmm.
So that's I've just gotten to that place, but I love that. And I think that is where I feel the most value because I like to be able to help other people, but I know in turn that obviously would be helpful to me and to what my goals of going to a networking event are gonna be anyways. So become the connector I love. Well, I think that is you know, I I would not say I am, you know, quote, unquote, a networker. I mean, I think I asked you what would my word be at WEC, and I think you said connector.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's how I have always approached it. I never go into situations about what can I get out of that?
Yeah. I I've never done that. I've been on both sides of the fence. Like, I've always gone in about the relationship and really, like, I just like helping people. Yeah.
And I would say You are too. You are too. You are too. You said not, but you are. No.
I I I trust me. I love helping people. You know? But I think, you know, just naturally, I wanna help people, and I wanna connect them. And if I hear of a job and I know you're looking or, you know, if, you're telling me about an event, I'm gonna be like, oh, did you hear about, like, such and such venue?
Like, I just enjoy doing that. And in return, it's that's how I've gotten so many jobs, businesses, relationships. You know? It's very valuable. And I see it we all do it in situations like that may not be genuine.
You gotta be genuine. Yeah. Yeah. But what somebody may be talking to me you about may not be something that you need, but you'd immediately, our brains already started thinking how that could help someone else. And I think that ultimately will come back to you as well.
So no. I love that, and I see us all doing that. So I think, like, the the best way to sum up this this little piece of this conversation that we have is is, like, go in don't go into a networking event from a point of desperation, but go into it from a point of connectivity. Yeah. Or what are you gonna get out of it?
Like, you know, go into it about, you know, maybe Well, that's where the desperation comes from, buddy. Right? Like, you know, I'm gonna help somebody today. Well, I think they some people go there, you know, especially if you're newer to this, and I feel like that's sort of who we're talking to right now is people, you know, who are uncomfortable going into it, like, are just told, like, go find business contacts. Right?
Yeah. And, like, you're like a great organization. Go go to this meeting. And, you know, you're gonna be asked the next day, how was it? Who'd you meet?
What context How many leads did you get? And that's where that desperation mindset comes from. Like like I can feel like pressure. Yeah. Like, you don't have to think about, like, this whole, like, I'm desperate.
But but, I mean, like, you you if you go into it like you think you have to get something out of it other than connectivity, then it becomes a point of desperation because it also creates a negative feeling walking out the door if you haven't gotten 5 business cards, if you haven't gotten somebody offering you a job, if you haven't had somebody say they're gonna hire you to do something. But if you can walk out the door saying, I shook hands with or hug next with or I exchanged cards with 3 people, 2 people, even one person that I didn't know walking into the door, you've successfully networked at that event. Yeah. And that's the easiest way to look at it. Find that one person that you see that is, you know, talking to a bunch of people or seems to know a lot of people and just say, hey.
Like, I know you're busy. I just wanted to come introduce myself. This is my first time being here. I don't really know anybody, you know. The this is kinda what I do.

(01:04):
If if, you know, they're you know anybody that would be a good contact for me to meet or I would appreciate any introductions. I think anybody in this industry, if somebody came up to us and said that, we would be like, oh, honey. I'm gonna take you out of my way. Like, let me introduce you to some people. Mhmm.
I love that. Like, don't assume that people know you're new. I I it's essentially what you're saying. Like, don't assume people know you're new. I love that because we all it's it's to be honest.
Like, once we've all kinda hung out together for a while, you're gonna it's like this click. Everybody gravitates together. Right? You try and break it. You try you try not to.
Sure. But but when somebody else comes in the room, it's like, oh, they probably know people. You know, it's just all of these weird things that we don't even realize we're thinking are happening. And so that's such great advice. Like, if you're new, let people know.
Like, wear a big billboard. I'm not I'm being silly. But, like, don't be afraid to let people know you're new because people do want to embrace and bring new people into the fold. They're they're gonna test you out and make sure that that you're, you know, worthy to bring into the fold. Right?
But still, let people know you're new. Elizabeth and I won't do that to you, that testing out. Yeah. You will. We like everything.
Yeah. But just don't be I just I like, like, setting the it's an even playing field. Like, even the big people who know everyone in the room is still maybe not even comfortable approaching you, the new person. Like, you know, I think everyone feels there's nobody that I've met yet that's, like, I'm a total networker, and this is not nervous to me at all. Like, it can feel it's a human nature.
You know? Sometimes I'm, like, oh, I'm gonna go say hi to, like, the new people, and then it's, like, and then I'm, like, I don't know. Should I go over now? Or, like, I don't know. Oh, boy.
We're we're getting called to our seats now. And I think the if you can I love what you said about, like, if you can make just be a connector or feel like you made connections there Mhmm? Then you walk away a winner. And going into it with that mindset, I think, makes it seamless, you know, daunting. So and so I'm sort of I feel like you knew a little bit too.
You're kinda saying this from the sales perspective, from the business owner, from the salesperson. Right? But I think there's the people that we want in the room are the buyers too. And I think everyone in the room potentially can be because they can connect you to sue to someone who is. But I think maybe, Elizabeth, too, you could talk a little bit as, you know, coming from the planners perspective of talking about this industry.
Like, a lot of event planners don't wanna come out. A lot of event planners are seemingly an a type personality, but they're super introverted, and they don't want to have to be sold to. So they're nervous to come to these events. 1000%. Because there is nothing that will turn me off quicker than if you come up to me and are like, hey.
I'm David. By the way, I I have an audio visual company. Like, do you need AV? Like, how's your AV? But, I mean, I immediately check out.
I'm not hearing anything you're saying, and I'm trying to figure out how I can escape from you. Okay? I mean, I'm just you know, it's it's it's a turnoff. Yeah. But I have so many great relationships with suppliers because they haven't tried to just immediately sell me.
And guess what? I've done business with almost all of them. Yeah. It it it's really more, like, get to know me, come in as, you know, hey. You know, how's it going?
Tell me about you. Tell me about yourself. Like Build a relationship. Build a relationship. And, you know, I think that's a whole another podcast segment, because we could go on a long time about that.
But, you know, it it you know, take the time to get to know me and don't just try and sell me out of the gate. Yeah. If I like you, I'm gonna wanna do business with you, probably. Well, I I mean, I think both I think both people in the in the conversation know that there is at some point going I mean, at the end of the day, you're if you're coming to a professional networking environment, you're coming there because you wanna do business with people. Let's just if everybody was just honest about that, hold on.
Let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish.
We all know that we're coming to do that, but we all don't have to say that we're doing that. Right? Like, so to your point, I don't have to walk up to you and just regurgitate everything I do about my business right off right out of the gate. When you ask me that question, you've given me permission to tell you, oh, I have an AV company, blah blah blah. You see what I'm saying?
So that's the switch right there is, like like you said, taking time to to and I and I think this is worth maybe exploring because I I get it. I think about this from from a client standpoint. Like, a lot of times when we so from the wedding side of the business, clients are getting married. They've more than likely, for the most part, never done that before. Right?
So they don't necessarily know what questions to ask. So one of the first questions I always ask is, how much does it cost? And so many people in my industry get offended by that, but it's like, well, think about it. They don't know anything else to ask, but they know you cost something, so they don't wanna sound completely ignorant. They're like, okay.
At least I know one question I can ask. How much do you cost? So I I'm kind of going around to get to a point now, which is, what are some good conversational starters that people could have with a planner that aren't that how much do you cost? Hey. I'm an AV company.

(01:25):
Can you give me business? What are some other good conversational starters that could be done so that we could, like, help people say, oh, here's some ideas of what you could talk about instead and wait for that opportunity. Because I believe it's great to be able to have that reciprocated situation. It's like a ping pong or a tennis match where at some point, one or the other in the conversation is going to give permission for you to talk about the real reason why you're there in the 1st place. But until that comes you see what I'm saying?
So I I've I know I'm kinda putting you on the spot, but the reason why I'm putting you on the spot is because if somebody says to me, I'm gonna come to a networking function, but I don't want you to talk to me about the reason why you're there, then what should I talk to you about in order to for us to eventually get to that point? Fair question. It's a fair question, but I think it's a normal conversation. Yeah. Just a normal conversation you would have with anybody.
Tell me about your family. Tell me about your kids. Kinda if you have kids, that kind of stuff. You know? Like, I I think so many people get caught up and and they hear networking, and it's like, oh, it's gotta be sales.
It's gotta be I'm gonna get sold to, or I gotta sell somebody, whether you're the planner or the supplier. It's not really what it's about. It's about making the connection. Yeah. It's about getting the business card.
You should step step 1. Yeah. Build like, take the time to, like, show genuine interest in the person. Have a normal conversation. I would almost challenge you to not even bring up anything about your business.
I'm glad you said that because that was that's what I was trying to get to. Yeah. That's what getting the card is for. That is what, you know, I would appreciate you not bringing up and then follow-up with an email with your info. Hey.
It was so great meeting you today. You know, I know we didn't have, you know, a chance. There was a lot going on there, you know, or I didn't wanna, you know, get into this in our conversation. But just, you know, if you ever need, an an audio visual company, just know I'm here. Here's some information.
Let me know if you have any questions kinda thing. Yeah. And then I can read it on my own, and I will appreciate that so much more. But I've had suppliers who, like, don't even do that. They just continue to keep a relationship, check it on LinkedIn.
Like Yeah. And then it's not until months down the road that they actually you know, so it's I I can appreciate both sides of it, but I would say almost the first interaction Yeah. Don't sell it all. No. I I don't disagree with that at all.
I think that's excellent, excellent advice. And I think that one of the things I've I've always learned is that to your point of showing interest, I would rather I would rather learn more about you and what you do and so on and so forth because of this mindset of reciprocation. When you give, you will receive. Until you give, you may never receive. Right.
Right? So if I can learn more about you, here's the funny thing that always happens. If I ask you it's first time we ever met. Hey, Elizabeth. Nice to meet you.
Tell me about what you do. You're gonna tell me about what you do. And what's the next thing that's gonna happen more than likely? You're gonna ask me what I do. Right?
So I will have the opportunity to do it Yeah. But you gave me permission to do it. It's a whole different framework, and it and it's and it's how it makes sense to be able to have those conversations. You know? And and so I'm glad you said it the way you did because that's why I'm talking to you.
Okay. Because, like, if you're wearing a name tag or something, I may say, like, oh, you work for an audio visual company. That's great. You know? Like, that must be I still am not one of you to say Right.
I don't don't fire hose don't fire hose a bunch of information. Yeah. Who I work for. Okay. So let me tell you.
I got this package going on right now. 100%. 100%. Yeah. I love it.
That's so funny. Yeah. So true, though. But you see it happening. You definitely see it happening, and I think we all get turned off of that.
I think also too, like, another just segue on this conversation is, like, everyone in the room in our industry matters Mhmm. To network with. Right? Like, we you and I met. You were a supplier too.
Right? And then you became a planner, and now you own a business. And, you know, that relationship changed. You became a client. But, also, I was helpful to you because I understood you, you know, or, you know, maybe not you specifically, but other people, you know, go from the planner side into the hotel business, and now you have a contact who does that already.
And, you know, like, we can all help each other. So I think not just always thinking of networking as something that's gonna bring you business specifically. Like, if you stop thinking about it like that, and start thinking about how you're building your own network for a million reasons, it will, the rest of it will all fall in line. It will all fall into place. And I will tell you as a planner, the majority of my referrals came from other suppliers.
Yeah. So don't be hesitant and think, like, oh, you're a supplier. You're not gonna bring me business. Business all of the time from supplier friends. Yes.

(01:46):
Have to differ because Or just having that I mean, this is a hotel. Like, having those people who will say, like, that's a great hotel. Have you seen it? You should try it. Same thing.
Like, I've worked with you. Like, I would tell anyone you're a wonderful meeting planner. Like, you you and I do get asked, you know, do you know any third party planners? Yes. I do.
I have great ones through, you know, knowing people. So, I mean, vendors, obviously. So I think there's just so much more behind networking, you know, than just delivering results immediately. And and, you know, made me think too when y'all were talking earlier, like, what is some good advice, and I don't I don't have the answer, on how long do you give a networking group or, you know, that you're going to before you realize, like, is this working? Am I getting an ROI here?
Because well, your boss is always like, what's the ROI? What's the ROI? What's the ROI? What you know, on on it? And and I think it's just so much more.
I don't even think you can put a dollar amount on it. There are there's events you go to. You know? Like, you've been to some. I've heard you talk about before where, like, there was, you know, an well, it could be a chamber of that.
You know? Is that your customer? You know? We're a bunch of realtors. Maybe not.
I don't know. Yeah. I think it's also a deal. Like, also, I think, you will know, like, if you give it a couple shots and you're just really not So a couple shots, not, like, one done is I would never say one and done. You gotta give everybody a fair knock.
You know? Like, everybody has an off, like, mode. I I feel like I go by the threes. And I think threes with conferences. I think the 3rd time you've been to something in a market, you know, the you gotta give it 3 years or 3 times.
Maybe the same, you know, ring true with, just a networking. The other the other thing to your point, the other thing to always remember is just because it's not good for you doesn't mean it's not a good network group too. Right? So and I'm not saying that you're saying that by any stretch to imagine. I'm just offering that as advice.
Like, just because it's not right for you doesn't mean it's not right for the people that that are there, which is which is great. Well, like, we've obviously found ours with MPI. Right? Like, that's the right group for us. But there's many of them out there, and and different ways you could do networking even, you know, not just in person, but And you can do more than 1.
Yeah. Yeah. It's not. Most of us do, so but time, we talked about earlier. Like, you gotta make sure this is the right group of people, and it's easy for us to talk about MPI because that's the right group of people.
But, I think that's important too, just giving it a shot, not just going once and being, like, you know, barely met anyone, or maybe you did and still didn't feel like I still think it takes more than that. I think it takes a couple. Yeah. So two points I I that come to mind for me on on that. And and I've said it several times today, which is don't go into the experience from a mindset of desperation.
Don't go into it, the experience with that. I have to walk away with this with some sort of business or I've failed. So number 1. And and then number 2, be honest with yourself about the effort that you've put into it. Yeah.
Walking into the room and walking out of the room is not effort. Walking into the room, going to the bar, going to the food table, looking around, I don't know anybody and leaving is not really putting effort into networking. The word work is literally in it. Yeah. So true.
Right? The word work is literally in networking. You have to put work into it. And then the I I said too, but let me just throw a third one really quickly. All of us have done this, and all of us have seen, and you probably already know where I'm going here, is volunteer to be a part of what's going on.
Well, you get what you put in. Involved. You get what you've put. No. Absolutely.
Well, I think we could go on and on, and I'm definitely hearing a a part 2, on on relationships coming up. But, just to kinda recap, you know, be a connector. Don't don't be a networker. Be a connector. You can start off being a networker, though.
But, you know yeah. But go into it with the mindset of just wanting to make connections. Strive to be a network. You know, or, you know, always be networking. How about always be connecting, a b c?
A b c. I love it. ABC, baby. Alright. And, you know, look at everything as an opportunity to network or connect.
Yep. And, you know, make sure, like, what you pick is the right fit for you and the value for your time. So I I think those are all great points that we've kinda been able to chat about today. So, thank you all for listening and make sure to follow us at eventtherapypodcast on social, and we'll catch you at the next event.