How to build connections at trade shows, without it being a one-way street?
Hi.
I'm in the phase of trying to figure out how to bulid some sort of a network of people in an industry. For example, soon I would like to go to an advanced manufacturing exhibition and I would like to get closer to people within the industry who would be attending that exhibition.
Thing is, I don't have much to offer them right now. Really, this is a bit of a selfish research task that I set for myself. My question is, how do I get to build these connections without having anything tangible to offer back? I don't have a product or a service yet. I just want to learn more about my potential future customers.
I'm often on the receiving end of interactions like this, and let me tell you....nothing opens doors better than showing genuine curiosity.
Do the homework to see who is going to be there. Find out what they're up to so you can ask questions that are more interesting than smalltalk.
Ask them questions about their work. About their perspective/advice on industry trends. What they're excited about, or frustrated about.
Don't treat it like a transaction, cuz it's not.
The best way to be "interesting" is to be interested.