How to Turn Spring Networking Into Real Revenue Opportunities

Spring is in the air, and everything is turning green. You’re set to make sure your bank account gets a green growth spurt, too. Your calendar is filled with networking opportunities that will plant the seeds for a bountiful year of event planning. But how do you nurture budding connections into event planning contracts? In this article, we give NYC event planners networking tips to turn budding connections into blooming opportunities.

Define Your Networking Goals for Your Event Planning Business

Turning networking into real revenue opportunities begins with setting goals. Think about what you want to achieve for your event planning business through networking. Instead of just saying you want to earn more as an event planner, develop a vision for how networking will help you increase revenue.

Your network will help you achieve your earning goals in a variety of ways. You’ll meet professionals willing to offer free advice within their fields. There will be mentors within your network who can help you develop professionally. Still others may refer you to clients within their network, expanding your marketing reach. 

Understanding the many ways your network will help your event planning career will help you make networking goals. Create monthly and quarterly networking goals. Then, create two or three goals for every networking event you plan to attend.

Choose the Right Networking Events

Choosing the right networking events is crucial.  You know that joining a knitting circle probably isn’t going to help you grow your event planning business. Defining the right networking events depends on where you are in your event-planning career and the types of events you want to plan.

When choosing a networking event, consider who the likely attendees will be and how they can add value to your network. 

For example, wedding planners will want to attend bridal shows and join wedding-specific associations, such as the Wedding Industry Professionals Association. Corporate planners will want to focus on networking events geared toward corporate professionals, such as the NYC Business Networking Group. 

How Networking With Intention Builds Your Event Planning Business

Defining your goals is just the start of preparing for a networking event. In addition to knowing what you want to get out of the event, be prepared with the following:

• Craft an elevator speech that succinctly states what you do and how you help people. And importantly, practice saying the elevator speech. 
• Find out who is going to be at the event and do some low-level internet sleuthing. Make a list of two or three people you want to meet. 
• Be prepared with questions that move beyond idle small talk. These can include questions about their industry, their latest projects, or what brings them to the event. 

Develop Meaningful Event Industry Connections

Networking isn’t a game of collecting the most business cards. Hundreds of LinkedIn connections and a large email list are good for business. But developing meaningful and authentic relationships is better. 

In his popular book, Endless Referrals, Bob Burg says, “People buy from people that they know, like, and trust.” Building meaningful and authentic relationships helps you build trust that will translate into opportunities. Without trust, your contacts are less likely to help, mentor, and refer you. 

One of the most important ways to build meaningful connections is to focus on how you can help the people within your network. Sometimes, you can help them by planning an outstanding event for them. Most often, though, helping people in your network will involve mentoring, giving free advice, and referring clients to them. 

Attend the Industry’s Premier Event

Networking events are a top strategy for building your event planning business. The networking you do now can set you up for a summer filled with event planning opportunities. Keep the momentum going by attending the industry’s premier event: The Event Planner Expo. This three-day, massive NYC event is your chance to level up your event planning business. Learn from industry experts, connect with event industry vendors, and most importantly, meet the decision makers from top companies. Reserve your ticket today.