An important aspect of attending a crypto conference is networking. Although these types of events can be used to get information from speakers and presentations, they also provide opportunities to meet industry leaders, investors and innovators. Further, networking at blockchain events can lead to partnerships, collaboration and new opportunities within the blockchain sector. Building your network through ‘effective networking’ means that you must have a plan of action to get your meetings and network done with industry players.
To assist you in getting the most out of the networking opportunities presented by attending a conference, here are some actions to consider before a conference, during a conference and after a conference:
Research and Preparation Before the Conference
Preparation is crucial for leaving a great impression at any crypto event.
To make sure you are adequately prepared, it starts with the following:
- Do research on speakers and attendees: First, know who is going to be at the event. You can know more about the details by searching for their profiles, both on an event application and LinkedIn, where you can also review their past work, projects and interests. You could possibly learn who you would like to look up to and streamline your networking approach.
- Be clear on your goals: Be very clear on your networking goals in advance. There could be various reasons for you to attend crypto conferences, from funding issues, partnerships or you may want to learn from industry experts that have been there and done that.
- Have talking points: Have conversational openers prepared. Whether it is crypto trends, emerging events in the blockchain ecosystem, or key developments around the existing market. This is a commonality which will help structure these conversations and better portray you experience in the industry.
Crafting Your Elevator Pitch
A well-prepared elevator pitch is essential for making an introduction in a concise and effective manner at the upcoming crypto events.
Here are some tips to create your pitch:
- Be brief: Try to introduce yourself, your profession, and what you can bring to the table in thirty seconds or less.
- Be authentic: Let the potential partner know how you can create value at the table, in whatever capacity as capital, information or connection. For example, “I work in blockchain security and help projects with implementing enhanced security structures.”
- Practice certainty: A well-prepared pitch can serve as proof that you understand your worth and are willing to network effectively.
Engaging During Conference: Strategies for Effective Conversations
Conversing effectively at crypto conferences can greatly improve your networking results.
The following are strategies to have quality conversations:
- Be friendly: The manner in which you hold your body cannot be overstressed. When individuals maintain eye contact and a relaxed, lean-forward body posture and friendly facial expression, others tend to approach and communicate with the individual.
- Ask questions: Show interest by asking questions about other people’s positions, current projects, or views on recent crypto developments. This not only proves willingness and interest but also creates two-way communication.
- Listen actively: Try to avoid planning your next response as you turn your full attention to the speaker. By actively listening, you make them feel trusted and demonstrate that their thoughts count.
- Participate in group discussions: When speaking within groups, take care to employ open body posture and offer the listening ear prior to speaking. Such a positive introduction can invite open and engaging discussions.
- Exchange contact information: It is always a good idea to have a card or other digital formats such as LinkedIn or Telegram. This assists in establishing relationships if the business needs to follow up with more contacts after the conference.
Leveraging Social Media and Conference Apps
In order for you to leverage social media and conference apps to enhance your networking experience, here are some effective ways:
- Use Twitter and LinkedIn actively: A few crypto conferences continue to use a variety of different social media platforms, not moot, through Twitter and LinkedIn most actively. Use specific event hashtags, follow accounts that post valuable updates, and network with the other attendees. For instance, after meeting someone at the conference, send a LinkedIn message to discuss the potential future collaboration.
- Be active on conference apps: Most conferences these days have apps for schedules, contacts, and updates. Use these platforms to fix meetings, contribute to discussions, and seek event updates to save time in the networking process.
Follow-Up After Conference
Relationships developed during cryptocurrency events can be beneficial, provided they are maintained. Many great opportunities are lost due to poor follow-up, such as providing a mere business card or a short introduction about yourself.
Following up is key to sustaining these connections:
- Send personalized messages: During follow-up, one should always recall specific points discussed during the conversation. For instance, “I really enjoyed talking with you about issues related to blockchain security. I would also like to know more about the potential solutions to the issue identified.”
- Keep it short and relevant: A follow-up doesn’t necessarily have to be that long. A brief, friendly message that invites further discussion is often enough to keep the connection alive.
Read More: Event Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts for Crypto Event Attendees
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Conference Networking
Networking during conferences should be approached carefully. You have many opportunities to create valuable new connections, but avoid these common pitfalls:
Be mindful of these common pitfalls:
- Overly selling yourself – Networking is not about selling; it is not selling at its most direct level. Networking is about making friends and connections that evolve into business opportunities. Always try to be natural and real instead of being overly earnest about it. Always aim to be natural and real instead of being too pushy about it.
- Ignoring “non-key” attendees: Each individual has something unique to offer. Even if the person does not appear to be related to one’s field, talking to them could provide opportunities that one had not considered before.
- Forgetting follow-up: Failure to check back may result in more missed chances. After each crypto conference, prioritize sending messages to maintain these valuable connections.
Conclusion
Networking at crypto conferences is one of the best opportunities to advance in one’s career and collaborate successfully with other industry experts. These may become invaluable networking opportunities with a proper approach, clear goals, and careful follow-up. Whether one is a first-time attendee or an experienced professional, it leaves valuable networking opportunities for the future. Therefore, put your best foot forward and get yourself to the upcoming blockchain conferences, fully prepared to kick-start your network and take your career to new heights.
