Networking Meetings - what to expect and when

Networking and Business Meeting Format

The following meeting format should help you to schedule your monthly networking meetings and help you to understand what to expect and when during an Ellevate Networking meeting.

New to Networking?

Here's a visitor guide to help you.

This guide has been put together to help Ellevate Networking visitors navigate their way through their first networking meeting and to let you know what to expect.

When you arrive at the venue, we'll give you a big smile and sign you in and give you your visitors badge. After refreshments and an informal gathering with other Ellevate Networking members and visitors, your hosts Kirsty Paget and Michelle Seaman will welcome everyone to the meeting and ask each of you in turn to introduce yourselves and briefly explain what you do and for what type of clients you are looking. Then your hosts will introduce the Speaker who will deliver a 20 minute presentation and provide an opportunity for questions at the end.

A buffet lunch is served at 1.15pm which gives everyone the opportunity to mingle and network with those around them whilst enjoying a delicious (and healthy!) buffet lunch.

After lunch, you will be asked to take your seats once again (if you're not already sitting down of course) and your hosts will make any relevant announcements and then aim to generate a ‘business exchange’ where views are aired and tips shared before sending you on your way – hopefully feeling motivated and energised and having made some good contacts for business.

Networking Tips

Face to face networking is about meeting the people who will help you make a success of your business. But how does it work?

Who are You?

If you provide a service, you may find that some people decide to work with you purely because the chemistry between you is right. Networking gives you the perfect opportunity to get to know people and allows them to get to know you.

Show and Tell

Networking is about showing people what you can do. If you provide a service, networking can be used to demonstrate your skills and experience. Try to convey what your business is about and why you do what you do, it will help those you meet, during networking events, have an understanding of how they might be able to work with you in the future. You may also want to convey what type of business you want to attract, which also helps others visualise how they can help you get more business, whether directly or indirectly. 

A Long Decision?

Networking gives you the chance to get to know people and build up trusting relationships with them. When someone trusts you, they are more likely to buy from you and encourage other people to buy from you.

Need some Help?

Networking meetings are very good ways of finding the suppliers you need, as well as for seeking advice to help you overcome business issues. You can even ask for feedback on new marketing initiatives before you invest in them.

Do you have some good business tips, news or comments you want to share with our networking members?
Please email Ellevate Networking with up to 250 words with your useful networking tips, news or comments.

See our Networking Guide for more useful information on networking as a whole and networking meetings