Leeds Digital Festival offers a diverse range of events that provide tons of opportunities to meet new people while refining your networking skills. Attending events can not only increase you and your company’s visibility within the Leeds digital scene, but it can also open doors to potential clients and opportunities for personal growth.
I have personally benefited from interacting with people from diverse backgrounds – sharing fresh ideas, hearing different perspectives, and gaining skills that I can apply every day. With an exciting and jam-packed Leeds Digital Festival coming up, it’s a great time to start or get back into networking and engaging with people and organisations from across Leeds’ tech ecosystem.
The Leeds tech scene is buzzing with tons of opportunities to collaborate, but people can often shy away from getting involved. Without a clear purpose for networking, you may feel lost or unsure about how to approach others. And with a packed schedule, the thought of spending time networking may not always feel like the best use of your day.
It’s easy to forget how valuable networking can be for both professional and personal development. Attending events helps to increase your company’s visibility, while engaging with others to promote your services can make both you and your business more recognisable and foster trust. Events like those at the Leeds Digital Festival provide a great opportunity to meet potential clients and customers and, though initial relationships may not lead to instant opportunities, they often become valuable contacts in the long term.
Events bring together experts and thought leaders, allowing you to keep up with the latest tech and industry trends and insights that can help you stay ahead of the market, as well as supporting your own personal development. They provide opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge, tools, and services, meaning they benefit everyone involved.
When choosing which events to attend, think about the reason you’re networking. Having a clear goal can make networking easier.
It can also be handy to think about what format of event will best help you to reach your goal. Whether it’s attending a workshop, a social event or round table, consider what the best use of your time might be and plan ahead.
Research the event, the speakers and attendees beforehand. Knowing what topics will be covered can help you prepare conversation starters and identify the people you want to meet. This will help you to not only feel more confident, but will also help you to make the most of your time.
I’ve personally found that regularly attending events and engaging with others has really boosted my confidence. The more I network, the more I feel comfortable initiating conversations and making connections. If you’re feeling nervous, look for people who are standing alone – quite often they’ll be feeling the same as you.
Start with light, open-ended questions. Showing a genuine interest in other people’s experience will usually lead to a natural flowing conversation.
Going along with a friend or colleague can help put you at ease. Quite often it’s easier to start a conversation when you have someone along for support who you can bounce off.
Body language plays a key role in networking. Effective communication isn’t just about what you say. It’s important to look approachable and engaged. Smiling and maintaining eye contact can really help, but be prepared as not all interactions may go smoothly. In these cases, remember the other individual may be feeling nervous and out of their depth. Often, shifting the conversation to a different topic or using humour can help to soften these situations. While it’s good to reflect as to why you think this happened, don’t dwell on it. These things happen, and sometimes initial awkward interactions still lead to future relationships – always be prepared to start afresh.
Don’t forget networking is a two-way street. By supporting others you’ll build genuine connections. There are lots of different ways you can offer to help people – this can be as simple as introducing them to someone or sharing a useful article.
Always remember to follow up – you can even capture any actions on your phone. It’s so easy to forget things you’ve agreed to do or share with people, and it’s important not to lose the trust you’ve built by not following up on an action.
Consistency is key to building long-term networks. It’s not just about one event. Regularly attending events and meetups is essential to build and maintain relationships. Leeds Digital is a great platform to check out what’s happening across the Leeds tech scene all year round. Staying connected with people through their social media posts and inviting them to events also leads to valuable connections. I’ve really benefited from the relationships I’ve built as a support system who I can collaborate with, as well as gain advice and experience.
Networking is an invaluable tool for both professional and personal growth, especially within the vibrant Leeds tech scene. As Leeds Digital Festival approaches, it presents a perfect opportunity to connect and learn.
Successful networking involves preparation, consistent effort, and a genuine interest in others. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, approaching networking with clear goals, an open mind, and a willingness to support others can lead to meaningful and lasting connections. So, step out of your comfort zone, attend events, and take full advantage of what the Leeds Digital Festival has to offer from Monday 16th to Friday 27th September 2024.
Check out the full Leeds Digital Festival 2024 lineup here.