Reframe networking events as brand building, not hard selling. Bring someone you've placed before, or pay a knowledgeable buddy to boost your credibility. Show genuine curiosity about others' roles and challenges instead of pushing your pitch.
Chapters
Truthfully, I see events as brand development, not BD. Don't go on BD because you'll be a dick. No one will want to talk to you. They'll run away from you. Go and message people you've placed and say, I'm going to this event, I've got a ticket, do you want to come with me? Get yourself a buddy, like pay for a buddy, pay for a friend because they'll know people in the industry and suddenly you've got that credibility by association. And if people ask why you're here, just say, I'm just here to learn. I'm really keen to learn. I have an interest in what you're doing. And I really wanna be alongside you. And it's incredibly flattering to people that you wanna learn about their day-to-day job and the challenges that they're facing.