BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Get ready for an exciting evening of great holiday fare, new connections and reconnections! Photographer Extraordinaire Teryl Jackson (Teryl Jackson Photography), longtime Freelance Forum member and past Treasurer, will once again preside over a fast-paced Speed Networking event.

How will it work? Depending on the number of attendees, you’ll have a series of approximately two-minute encounters where you’ll meet a member or guest, exchange business cards and describe (ie, sell!) your services. Most importantly, you’ll focus on your “prospect” to determine how you might help each other. We encourage you to ask questions like “Who’s your audience,” “How can I help you grow your business,” “If you could partner with another person in a different specialty, what would it be,” etc.

TIPS TO MAKE THIS EVENT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FOR YOU:

• Prepare by perfecting your short elevator speech
• Bring plenty of business cards
• Bring a pen and write notes on backs of business cards and/or a small notepad
• Think about your current or upcoming projects and the kind of service provider(s) you may need to complete them

As a freelancer, you need to know your colleagues’ talents and capabilities — and to make sure they know all about yours! Whether you’re thinking of launching a freelance business or you’ve been working independently for years, having a network of people you can tap for information, advice and opportunities, while sharing your own, is paramount!

Didn’t we mention holiday fare? We’re pulling out all the stops! Expect a more festive than usual buffet spread (well in advance of any pesky New Year’s resolutions!).

And after the event? We like this piece of advice from Fast Company: “The most important part of the experience is the follow-ups. Don’t leave your new connections hanging. Pick and choose the people you’d like to know better professionally and send them an email. Nothing too intense, just a quick ‘it was nice to meet you, I’d like to know more about your endeavors’ kind of thing. (Our) two biggest tips for networking newbies: Don’t leave your business cards at home, and perfect your handshake.”

See you December 3!