Prepare for Any Networking Event, Part 1: Where Will I Be Networking?
Effective networking can be both fun and spontaneous (and may we add, comfortable), but it will be truly effective if you go into potential networking situations with a simple, thought-out plan.
In this networking prep series, we are going to answer a few basic questions that will help you prepare for your next networking encounter. For the purpose of this article, we are considering the term “networking meeting” to mean either an in-person event or a virtual one. (We have not been paid to mention any of the resources we link to.)
Location matters
Take a moment to think about the setting for your networking event. Why? Because you would prepare differently for a Zoom conference call at home, than you would for an in-person meeting with your local book club, or the Society for Editors Conference (ACES).
Before your meeting, ask yourself:
Could there be anything in the setting that makes me uncomfortable? If so, how can I cope with it? For example, if being in a room with cold AC gives you a headache, and you know your meeting/conference/lecture is going to be in an auditorium, bring a sweater, a scarf, or whatever you need to feel well and at ease. If the meeting requires you to be outgoing or introduce yourself, and you are an introvert, consider writing down what you want to say (the key points) on a flash card that you can review before speaking.
Do I know where the meeting is going to be? If your meeting is at a venue, visualize what it’s going to take for you to get there. Plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes early, and consider how long your drive/walk/ride is going to take. Do you need to account for weather conditions? Road closures/accidents/rush hour? Parking? Always build a buffer into your schedule so you can arrive a few minutes early.
Is my meeting online? If it is, and you will attend from home, then consider creating a comfortable space that you want to be in. Tidy your desk, get a back pillow, wear your favorite shirt, or light a candle. Make sure there is good lighting (natural light from a window is best), and keep your space neat so you reduce distractions and can be fully present.
Will my virtual meeting be voice only or will I be on video? If you are on a video call, and because of life’s circumstances you aren’t able to/don’t want to have your camera on, then think about notifying the presenter in advance (or the person you are meeting with), so you manage their expectations and avoid potential awkwardness.
For example: During the first pandemic year, when my son was attending school from home, I would always notify my coaching clients in advance that my nine-year-old son was in the room next door and that at any given moment we might be interrupted, or they might hear laughter or noise in the background. I also made sure I addressed whatever needs he had before the call. Thankfully, none of my clients minded and everyone was very understanding and grateful that I was up-front with them. It also showed that I am not a two-dimensional editing robot, but that I’m a human being, with a life and other responsibilities, just like them!
You never know where your next project is going to come from, and someone at your next meeting might just be writing that type of project you’ve been wanting to work on. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Don’t take that for granted, and instead, come prepared.
Linda Ruggeri is a full-service editor and project manager based out of Los Angeles. She coauthored the historical memoir Stepping Into Rural Wisconsin: Grandpa Charly’s Life Vignettes from Prussia to the Midwest and Networking for Freelance Editors. She can be found online at The Insightful Editor and on Instagram.