Which is the best way to network professionally: 1-on-1 meetings, or large events/conferences?

Ultimately it comes down to one-to-one networking ... even if you are meeting people at a large event or conference. Nothing significant or substantial happens in an initial meeting except a business card exchange and the ability to put a face with a name. The power of the contact is in the one-to-one that happens afterwards.

I totally agree with Cindy. The 'networking' activity occurs at meetings, conferences and events, while the real connection mostly happens during the follow up. Obviously, there are those instances where you immediately connect with someone at an event, but that's not likely where you'll get deep enough in your discussion to create a connection you can leverage.

Lastly, networking during the meeting/events/conferences is not usually intended to create a deep connection as much as it is to create the initial contact that can be developed into a business relationship later.

I find a lot of value in both forms of networking. So often I'll meet someone at a large conference, learn about their business or expertise, and a year or less later find that the person is connected to, or could be valuable or benefit from a new opportunity or situation. The key with conferences and networking events is to select ones that attract the kind of people that you should be meeting. One-on-one usually occurs when there's a particular reason to meet, but also when there's been an introduction and in those instances it's just like any networking opportunity: you never know what will emerge over time. The important thing in all cases is to be of value, be willing to be a resource for another persons success. A quid pro quo attitude in any networking situation bears fruit more often.

There are tiers of networking. You network with mid to large size group to find the people with which you meet on on one. That is not to say that you don't spend some time in larger meetings, however that is not a productive use of your time at a larger group.

Let's agree that the worst way to network is to sit at your desk.

I'm a believer that networking without a plan is a waste of time and not effective. It is less about which networking method is better, and more about which networking methods tie in to what you want to accomplish with networking.

Questions that you need to ask yourself are:

- What do you want to accomplish with networking?
- How often do you plan to actively network?
- How many new people do you want to meet?
- What will you do to stay visible and relevant to your network?

These are some questions you need to ask yourself. I'm sure you can think of others.

Ask the questions. Answer them. And stick to your plan.

Your networking will pay you big dividends if you do.

Samuel