In today’s fast-paced world, networking has become more crucial than ever. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or a student, building meaningful connections can open doors to new opportunities, foster collaboration, and accelerate personal growth. Networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards; it’s about creating lasting relationships that can support you throughout your career, which is why we always encourage our D&A team to seek out in-person opportunities to mix and mingle with other professionals in the area.
Check out our team’s recent networking outings, and their highlights and tips for making it a successful trip!
Lindsay and Katherine:
In September, our PR team attended back-to-back events with the Baltimore Public Relations Council (BPRC), a networking group that provides a forum for PR professionals to exchange ideas with their peers, mold ethical standards, and improve their effectiveness. The first was a visit to WBAL-TV for a panel discussion with newsroom staff and a tour of the studio. The second was a night out with BPRC at Camden Yards to watch the Orioles face off (and win!) against the Detroit Tigers.
Lindsay’s Highlight: For me, education is an important part of networking. I prioritize networking opportunities that let me exchange ideas with other professionals in the PR field. Groups like the BPRC also host great “meet the media” events with many of our area’s biggest outlets, like the recent event we attended at WBAL. These experiences are always valuable, as we get to meet the media contacts we work with every day, and it’s great to put a face with the name and deepen these relationships. We usually also gain insight into at least one new opportunity that will help us gain coverage for a client.
Katherine’s Tip: Standing in a room full of strangers can be intimidating. My advice would be to identify one person to shake hands with and introduce yourself to. This way, you’ll establish a connection with them, and the next time you attend an event, there will be one less stranger in the room!
Maddie and Meghan:
Also in September, Maddie and Meghan attended Ink + Numbers Networking Back to Work event. Ink + Numbers is a professional women’s networking group in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The event centered on a panel of three women CEOs discussing their experiences in their field and how they got to their current positions.
Maddie’s Highlight: My big takeaway from the event was hearing the panelists, all in different stages of their careers, touch heavily on how they manage work-life balance as working moms. They also shared that when you work hard, you should play hard because you never know what connections might come out of something that isn’t necessarily work-related!
Meghan’s Tip: Try to remember something specific about the person you’re networking with, so it shows that you were really paying attention. For example, if you meet someone and they start telling you about this awesome book they’re currently reading, try to remember that! Next time you connect with them, whether it’s virtually or in person, you can ask them about that great book they were reading and how it ended. It will make them feel special that you remembered!
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