As much as I love big, high-energy networking meetings, I try to do quite several one-to-one coffee networking meetings every week as well. While the large events allow you to meet a large number of folks in a short time frame, they don’t allow for much depth of conversation. These quieter, small meeting allow me to get to know more about the folks I’m meeting. Furthermore, they let me network more effectively with introverts, who tend to be far more comfortable in smaller settings.
Here are a few tips to help you succeed in your coffee networking meetings:
1. Choose the Right Venue
Pick a place that is conducive to conversation – preferably somewhere quiet and centrally located. Consider the convenience of parking or public transportation for both parties. A comfortable environment will set the stage for a relaxed yet productive meeting. I have found that places such as a coffee shop or a Panera Bread work very well.
2. Prepare in Advance
Before you meet, research the person you’re meeting – understand their background, current role, professional interests, and things you may have in common (causes you support, schools you’ve attended, etc). This preparation allows you to tailor your conversation to topics of mutual interest and shows that you value their time. Additionally, think about what you wish to achieve from the meeting and any specific questions or topics you want to discuss. I find it helpful to ask in advance why the other person wants to meet and to let them know why you want to connect – this allows for a great starting place.
3. Arrive Early
When you show up late for a meeting, it sends the signal that you do not value the other person’s time, which can set a negative tone for the conversation. Arriving early also gives you time to settle in, choose a good spot, and greet the other person with a smile when they arrive. Being met with a smile goes a long way towards setting a positive tone.
4. Dress Appropriately
While coffee meetings are more informal than traditional business meetings, it’s still important to present yourself professionally. Dressing appropriately for your industry and the person you’re meeting with shows that you take the encounter seriously.
5. Be Present and Engaged
Focus on being present and engaged. Give the other person your FULL attention – put away your phone, close your laptop (I find that taking notes on paper is less distracting than typing them on my phone or laptop). Active listening and showing genuine interest in what they have to say will foster more meaningful connections.
6. Keep it Conversational
While you may have specific points or questions in mind, keep the tone conversational. This setting is about building rapport and relationships, not delivering a sales pitch. Be open to where the conversation leads, and look for opportunities to share insights and experiences naturally. For first meetings, I find that it’s better to just learn about the other person as a person – not as a client, a customer, or a target. Ask about their family, their pets, their interests outside of business-related topics. This builds a much stronger rapport than jumping right into business topics.
7. Offer Value
Think about how you can offer value to the other person, whether it’s through sharing knowledge, providing a helpful contact, or offering feedback on an idea. Networking is about mutual benefit, and showing that you’re interested in helping others can strengthen your connections. Is the other person interested in something outside of what you can offer? Don’t be afraid of offering to connect them with someone else in your network. This shows a interest in helping them over and above what’s in it for you and positions you as a thought partner. Additionally, it allows you to add value to both the person across the table and another person in your network – paying things forward within your network creats considerable value and goodwill.
8. Mind Your Manners
Remember to say please and thank you to the café staff and handle any interruptions gracefully. Good manners reflect well on your professional image and show respect for everyone involved.
9. Follow Up
After the meeting, send a follow-up email or message thanking them for their time and summarizing any key points or next steps you discussed. This keeps the conversation going and reinforces the connection you’ve made.
10. Keep Practicing
Networking, like any skill, takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first few meetings don’t go as planned. Figure out what worked well and what could be improved for next time. Additionally, these coffee networking meetings can help you fine tune your conversational and networking skillset – useful in networking in general.