Attending an event where you know there will be influencers and buyers or potential partners can be fraught with peril – unless you plan!

Pets And Money is going to be an awesome event yet, how you feel about it and the results you glean from it have a lot to do with how you prepare before you get there.

Following are a few tips to make the summit, or any networking event one where afterward you actually say, “This was the best thing I ever did for my business!”

Step 1 – Define your goals

And meeting great people isn’t what I’m talking about – You’ll do that naturally when you bring your best self to the party.

What do you really want? Define this and you’re already close to getting it.

Who (exactly) do you want to meet?

What topics will gain you a competitive edge?

And I don’t mean do this in a general way, write down your goals and the people you most want to connect with – magic seems to happen the clearer you are.

Step 2 – Plan your time and attention

Now that you know your goals, it will be easy to plan your day, from sessions you want to take, people to look for or make appointments with and what you will ask when you’re there.

Set up your calendar so that you have the goal items in first, then fill in or leave open additional slots that you can determine what to do with closer or on the day to fill.

You want to leave a little wiggle room for the perfect person you will meet in line, or on the shuttle bus or bathroom. (I’ve met some key people in all those places!)

Step 3 – Check your focus

If this is a ME Show for you, you’ll not have as good as an experience as you will if you make it a THEM Show.

Yes you are going to market YOU – and yes you have a compelling story and good business, however, no one wants to be bombarded with information, even if it’s good.

This is what most people do poorly at networking events, conferences and trade shows. They jump into selling themselves and their ideas before they have determined if they are:

1. Talking to the correct person
2. A person who has interest
3. That what you have would help or serve them

So get your ASK on! When you ask the right questions, people open up to you and you can determine if they are a fit for your goals.

Step 4 – Bring your Best Self

This means you are informed, confident, willing to listen and learn. You have the materials you need and enough business cards as well as clothing that helps you shine.

The first impression someone has of your business or idea is you. You have all you need if you simply think before you act.

Pets And Money looks like it’s going to be an amazing place to network. I’m going and so is the new Pet Industry Woman of the Year, Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM who will be speaking – now she’s an impressive person to meet!
If you’re going and we connect, I look forward to learning about you and finding out how I can be of service to you and if you want to become a masterful networker, make sure you check out what we’re doing in 2019 at the Ultimate Leadership Adventure!
Blessings, Shawna

 Blessings,
 Shawna Schuh, CSP