When you think of “networking,” what do you think of?
😖 “Hello my name is …” name tags and business cards being shoved at you like confetti?
😫 Memorizing an elevator pitch that ends up feeling sales-y and robotic?
☠️ A room full of strangers that makes you feel like you’re back in the middle school lunchroom trying to figure out what table to sit at?
I hear you. All of that makes me want to run and hide under a blanket, too.
And that’s why on this this week’s Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode, we’re sharing how you can reduce the pressure of in-person events and, dare we say it, have fun.
The biggest mistake people make when going to an event is similar to the biggest mistake people make in an email: they make it all about themselves.
Here’s how to not make this about yourself and connect with other humans in the most authentic way possible.
TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Looking for closed captioning or a transcript? Watch the episode on YouTube!
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[01:25] Your next copywriting client might not actually be online, because it is so easy to get sucked into the digital world and forget that human connection happens best in person.
[05:40] When you meet someone in person, you bypass so many of the hurdles of digital pitching; they can see your face, hear your voice, and establish trust much faster than through an email.
[11:30] You don’t have to go to a “copywriting” event; in fact, you should go to events where your clients are, like local business mixers, industry-specific conferences, or even just community meetups.
[14:45] Don’t go into a room looking for a client; go into a room looking to be helpful. Ask people, “What are you working on?” or “What’s the biggest challenge in your business right now?”.
[17:20] Instead of a rehearsed speech, I recommend having a simple, conversational way to describe what you do that focuses on the result you get for people, not just your job title.
[20:05] If you’re at an event that isn’t about business, you can still “bridge” the conversation by asking people what they do for work and naturally sharing that you help businesses grow through copy.
[23:40] The networking doesn’t happen at the event; it happens in the follow-up. I always suggest sending a personalized “It was great to meet you” note within 24 to 48 hours while the connection is fresh.
[27:15] Even in a digital world, having a physical card (or a QR code) to hand over makes you look professional and gives the other person an easy way to remember you.
[35:45] Networking isn’t meant to replace pitching; it’s meant to add another powerful tool to your repertoire so your client roster stays full from multiple sources.
Must-Hear Takeaways
As with every episode, we highly encourage you to listen to the entire conversation! But here are a few of the highlights:
“The main goal for attending events like this is to just meet new people. Is to expand your network.” – Nicki
“Aim to be interested more than interesting.” – Nicki
“You’re not walking into a party where you don’t know anybody and everybody else seems to know each other… Everybody’s there for the same reason to meet new people.” – Nicki
“Send an email the next day. CCA students, in the course we have guidance for exactly what to say effectively…” – Nicki
“In a timely way and not, ’cause the worst is you don’t follow up right away. You follow up two, three weeks down the line and they’re like, who was this?” – Kate
Mentioned in the Episode
- 8 Tips for Networking Success
- Use Copywriting Networking to Help Land More Clients
- Find Copywriting Clients by Networking in the Right Places
- The One Question That Makes Copywriting Networking Easy
Related Links
- The Simplest Way to Start Finding Copywriting Clients
- Ep. 213: Find Copywriting Clients Anywhere You Go
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About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
