Networking while traveling

 

 Networking while traveling


If you’re flying to a conference, meeting up with a colleague in another city, or just making a business trip, networking should be your priority. Now is the time to reach out and take every opportunity to meet new people.

Use your hotel lobby as an office space before you start your day and make connections at the airport or on the flight. You can also go for coffee with people from other companies and invite them back to your hotel room for an informal chat over catered food (that they will also pay for). If staying in one place feels too limiting, expand beyond conference activities by researching local events happening while you're visiting. You can get involved, or simply attend and network with others in the room.

Set up a coffee date while you’re visiting, follow up with the person you met before the trip, or contact someone new through an online resource. Whether it’s a conference or business meeting, conference calls can be an effective way to reach people in different locations. What's more, if you're traveling for business, your company may cover the cost of your telephone calls as long as there is a purpose for them (this may actually be part of your expense policy). You can also connect with people over SMS messages or chat - Skype is one service that makes this easy.

As you travel, introduce yourself to others by saying why you’re in town and what you’re doing there. You just never know where the conversation will go from there! If it takes off, see if the other person is planning any events while you're visiting, or invite them to a networking event. You can always send them a business card or schedule a follow-up call when you get back home.
Wait for your plane to arrive at the gate before turning on your phone for use once more. Spend the time taking notes on the people you met since you last activated your phone. Add the new numbers to your address book and send a quick text saying when and where you'd like to get together for coffee or drinks before you leave town.
This is about getting as much networking as possible done before getting in front of potential clients. When you’re back home, follow up with people who have been nice enough to meet with you on your trip, and send a group email to everyone who was interested in chatting with you at the conference but did not get the chance to meet.
When networking with strangers, it's not uncommon for people to feel uncomfortable about asking their contact information. Here are some tips to help you get it:

Pro-tip: If you’re meeting new people in a group setting and trying to collect their contact information, use the “handle your business cards” trick. It’s when you put all their cards in your shirt pocket or in a specific section of your bag or purse. This way, they can tell that you’ve got them (and know they should ask for yours).

It can be easy to miss out on networking opportunities while traveling because it may not feel like “work.” But if you think of it as part of your job – and chances are it is – networking will be an important part of your trip.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Colleen_Falck/339936

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