To answer this question, I think I need to give you both the good and not so good sides.
The Good
- I have discovered a lot of very talented vendors by networking. A few years back I discovered a fantastic lighting designer in New York, Mr. Ira Levy. He was just getting started and was full of great ideas. However, I have also had a few bad experiences with folks that promised the moon but were not able to deliver.
- Networking can be a great time for market research. You can get a better understanding of how and what your competitors are up to–as long as you do not copy this information. Remember, your goal is to be an original in every way possible.
- If you are just getting started, I think industry networking is a great way to get your feet wet. However, be very careful with those many exhibits that promise you’re going to get clients. This is not as easy as it sounds.
(Image via Sean MacEntee).
The Not So Good
- If you are expecting to find clients by networking in the industry, you better be ready to give something in return. Either extreme talent or reciprocating recommendations.
- Networking in the industry can be a great way to form strong alliances with other vendors. However, be careful about other vendor’s motives. (Yes, I know I sound a bit paranoid, but one day I’ll tell you a few stories about this one.)
Personally, I am a bit of an introvert by nature. I find it very challenging to be out there constantly networking. However, I think it could be a great way to bring us industry folks together and support each other.
Do you have any tips for networking? Please share your best below.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
leah
March 1, 2011
I’ve been following your blog recently. It is absolutely refreshing. You seem to hit on every topic or issue we’ve been struggling with recently. Thank you so very much for being a positive light in this industry.
Dream,
Leah
deborah weisenhaus
March 2, 2011
Love your insightful perspectives with questions you raise.
Networking definitely has it’s pros and cons…when I began in the industry going to these events allowed me to be in the right environment to make connections with my peers and see what’s out there and being created in the industry. Inspiration came from meeting those top in their field and I got excited by the talent I saw and was driven with excitement.
Meeting true alliances isn’t as easy as it appears because intent is sometimes.motivated by personal gain to even jealousy. One does learn through the years to have your guard in place as you interact through these events and recognize true sincerity from false ones.
I have made many wonderful connections and even friendships that for each one I attended or even a part of, I have learn to accept that there will always be two sides of the coin.
Thanks again Preston for your wonderful informative Blog.
“Imagination is the beginning of any great event.” Deborah
YOUR NAME
March 2, 2011
Networking Events usually promise more than they really are, in the last one some vendors didn’t have business cards!!! They said press would attend but they didn’t and the participation quote was considerably expensive. Anyway we get to know other vendors of the industry and learn from the speaker, a renowned wedding planner.
Nishaka
March 4, 2011
As a Planner, I’ve learned that I’m a better referral source for my vendors than they are for me. I’ve mentioned it before, but I actually do not network in the industry because I’ve connected with most of them in the city over the last several years and we see each other at other functions or we have worked together several times already.
Networking in the industry is great for when you are getting started because you do need to make connections. I am just at a place of recognizing where my true referrals come from and I cultivate the relationships the most.