Dave Delaney on Building Your Network Before You Need It

Dave Delaney is recognized leader and speaker on digital marketing, social media strategy, and community enthusiasm. Moving to Nashville in 2007, he co-founded two annual unconferences, PodCamp Nashville and BarCamp Nashville. He also launched two monthly events, Nashcocktail and Geek Breakfast, the latter now has chapters across the US, South Africa and Australia. Dave also has a book available for preorder: New Business Networking: How to Effectively Grow Your Business Network Using Online and Offline Methods

Dave’s Podcamp Nashville Session

Erik’s Podcamp Nashville Session

Covered in this episode:

• Events are not just about the speakers or the topics
• It’s about the people!
• Best practices to be productive in your event networking –
• Before:
  • Do your homework
  • Look to see who is attending ahead of time check the list of atendees and speakers
  • Make notes of who you want to make sure to meet or meet up with
  • Start connecting even before the event
  • Take note of the sponsers
  • Prepare business cards
  • Practice your ‘elevator pitch’ introducing who you are, what you do, why your at the event



• During:
  • Make use of lanyards and nametags
  • Look for the interesting people
  • Look for the people in similar sessions to you
  • You don’t have to rush
  • Listen to what people are talking about around you
  • Follow the event hashtag, start interaction online to bridge offline
  • We all need a safety net – by Carla Swank
  • How an introvert can network without going crazy by Britt Raybould
  • It takes courage!



• After:
  • Take notes as you are meeting people
  • ASK for business cards, don’t just give
  • Follow up with them digitally
  • Connect on Linked In
  • Nimble.com
  • Dumbars Number
  • Following up is important



• Dunbars number


• 32 Tips for #SXSW (Applicable elsewhere also)

For more great networking insight to add to what was in this episode, make sure to preorder Dave’s Book!

Tweet at Dave and let him now what you got from this episode! http://twitter.com/DaveDelaney

Please connect with me

• Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes
• Follow @ErikJFisher

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