Networking can seem daunting at the best of times. Being in a room full of new people and trying to sell yourself whilst learning what you can about them can seem like a lot.

Speed networking is this, but much quicker. When you only have minutes to introduce yourself to someone, understand who they are and present yourself to them, it can be over before you’ve even realised it has begun.

But there are ways to make the most of these sessions, regardless of which side of the table you are on. We’ve got some quick tips for anyone taking part in speed networking.

For mentees and more junior creatives

• Do your prep. Know what you want from the session and consider the questions to help you achieve that.

• Find the positives. Not everyone you meet will be the route to your chosen path, but they have knowledge and experience that can help you. Don’t limit your learning.

• Take notes. Don’t spend the entire session writing, but get key details that you can use to follow up with.

• Be professional. This doesn’t mean don’t be yourself, but remember to make eye contact when talking to someone, be polite and act like you’d expect someone else to.

• Find your USP. You’ve only got a short amount of time to make an impression. What’s your unique selling point that will keep you in their minds?

• Where can you be found? If you have any links to your portfolio or work online (such as LinkedIn or a website), then have these ready to share / a business card.

For mentors and experienced creatives

• Explain yourself. Introduce yourself and what you do quickly and clearly. Think about this opener beforehand if it makes it easier.

• Prioritise listening. You’ll only know how you can help someone if you understand what they need. If they need encouragement, think about questions to learn about them.

• Be clear. Industry jargon and buzzwords can make a simple answer unnecessarily difficult. Try to meet the mentee where they are at in their understanding of your industry, and try not to make assumptions about their knowledge base.

• One person can’t have all the answers. You might have friends or connections that can provide help and support too. You don’t have to solve every problem for every person.

• Keep an eye on the clock. The time will go quickly, so make sure the conversation stays guided to make the most of your session.

• Ask open questions. Encourage conversation by asking questions that can’t just be answered yes/no.

• You won’t find something to connect with everyone you meet, and that’s ok. You’re also not going to get all the answers you need from someone in a few minutes, so don’t try to. Use your time wisely, and understand who you want to connect with beyond this first conversation.

• And finally, remember to move when the bell rings! You don’t want to hold it up for everyone else.

Keep an eye on our Instagram for upcoming speed networking events and opportunities.