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Ask HN: How to network effectively at conferences?

8 points by jackkinsella ↗ HN
I'm going to a conference next week with the intention of generating possible leads for freelance work and meeting potential co-founders.

Has anyone any advice on how to best go about this? I'm looking for good networking tips.

17 comments

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derrida
Saying "Hello" to people works well.
jackkinsella
That's not exactly helpful. I wouldn't have expected that kind of sarcasm on Hacker News. There is an art and science to networking effectively and the point of my question was to tap into the collective knowledge of this forum for help.
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phenning
I didn't quite understand if you are the freelancer or if you are the non-tech founder looking for a tech co-founder. I'm a single non-tech founder of a startup looking for a tech co-founder and I've read a lot lately about how to connect. If you are like me, I can tell you what I've learned.
jackkinsella
I'm both. I'm a single (tech & non tech) founder of my company. I'll need to freelance in the summer as my business is seasonal.

I'm looking for ways to make the right impression to both possible employers and possible co-founder. I'm a social guy but I'm new to professional networking and don't know how to talk shop yet.

Please share what you've learned.

phenning
I've read lots. What I've gathered isn't rocket science, but maybe it'll give you a little direction like it did for me. First off, articles and blogs I've read have consistently said you should 1) explain your business in one complete, concise sentence, 2) be energetic and positive even at the end of an 11 hour day when you're exhausted 3) have experience in your field 4) be able to show that you've put effort into doing things yourself (that you're dedicated enough to do things yourself even when you have to learn how to do it) 5) be open, not secretive about your idea (most don't want to steal it, they want to know what you're worth in both content of character and idea 6) know when to exit a conversation when someone's giving you signals that they're not interested.

Hope that helps some. I'm also new to networking and my work is seasonal too, so I'll be doing my networking this summer as well. Good luck. Feel free to connect with me on twitter. @Paula_Henning

derrida
I am sorry. I was not being sarcastic. I am surprised how many people don't give the basic "Hello" when they make eye contact with someone a go. When was the last time you said Hello to someone you did not know, without any pre-existing reason for contacting?
acknickulous
One thing I've learned is you need to have a 'mission'. You have to want to do X and describe yourself as someone who does X. If you are just wandering around telling people, "I'm a programmer...and like to do web stuff" etc. it's too vague. Definitely have an idea/project you are working on and present yourself as working on it.

I guess it seems obvious--but for awhile I used to just float around at conferences just looking for interesting opportunities....but people won't really reveal them to you if they don't know what you do.

triviatise
1) if there is a list of attendees, try to setup meetings in advance via email. 2) have a very short message, just a couple of sentences for what you do. If you do two things, you really need to focus on just one of them. 3) after you meet someone write down, on their card, key points of the discussion. If you meet enough people you simply wont remember them later 4) be genuinely interested in what they have to say (listen) 5) you will need to be proactive about meeting people 6) Follow up with emails afterwards. 7) try to process the cards every day for that day. 8) dont get drunk and lose all the cards

I can meet about 20 people a day.

SoftwarePatent
Don't let yourself spend too much time with any single person. Say, "I guess we should both keep working the room", exchange business cards, and move on.
bdclimber14
I wonder why someone down-voted this. I believe this is a great piece of advice. At events, I frequently get stuck talking to people who aren't beneficial to me (and I'm not beneficial to them), and loose opportunities with others.

I typically just say "Hey, well it was great talking with you..." and it ends naturally.

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ig1
Not really relevant in your case but I found giving a talk a good option :)

After I gave a talk at an unconference I ended up with a queue of about a dozen people wanting to talk to me.

martinshen
If you're shy... and if it's appropriate.. wear a shirt or sign that says you're a developer. Many people who go to conferences are looking to chat and find developers.
russjhammond
You can certainly do as some suggest and have a target list, which I have done before, but find to be very exhausting. I personally prefer all the casual connections.

For example at SXSW this year I got more business cards from people that I shared rickshaw rides with then any other way. The same goes for cab rides or shuttle rides you share with people.

You are stuck with each other for 5 minutes so just strike up a conversation. Yes its a little more random and less targeted but it is also more natural, so even if they don't need you they may pass your card to someone else who does because you weren't that guy.

Also, if its a busy conference or one that essentially takes over a whole hotel or area like SXSW where pretty much everyone you pass by is at the conference, just hang out on a couch or bench in the hotel lobby. Tons of people will come by and ask if the seat is taken. Kindly let them know it is not and strike up a friendly conversation like you would in the cab or shuttle.

bdclimber14
One trick I do is to have an inbox and outbox for your business cards, e.g. left and right pockets.

I've embarrassingly given someone a card I had received prior. Mixing received cards with your own makes for awkward fumbling as you pull out a business card to hand someone.

jackkinsella
I've done some further research and found:

1) Have quantifiable goals - e.g. give 20 elevator pitches/day & get business cards.

2) Follow the conference hashtag on Twitter and tweet during and after the conference to gain exposure.

3) Arrive early for pre-conference networking.

4) Drink lots of water, try to exercise and get some sleep so as to keep your energy high.

5) Remember that sessions etc. are a lower priority than meeting people - especially if the sessions are recorded.

6) Scribble down some details about each conversation so that it's easier to reconnect in follow ups.