12 Must-Have Networking Tips

Tomorrow is PRSSA’s Annual Networking Dinner and what better way is there to prepare for a networking event than to hear from an expert networker, Mindy Ferrentino Wolfe, President of Neptune Marketing LLC.

Mindy has won countless awards including, but not limited to Public Relations Professionals of Long Island Mentor of the Year award in 2009, was named one of the top 50 most influential women in business by Long Island Business News and presented the President’s Award from Soroptimist International of Nassau County both in 2008.

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, PRSSA and PRestige members got the chance to learn tips and tricks to develop networking skills from Mindy. Don’t worry if you missed the meeting! Below is a recap of her twelve tips to networking:

1. It’s all about relationship building. It’s not about giving out and collecting the greatest number of business cards.
2. Follow up, follow up, follow up!
3. Networking is not pitching- it is all about relationship building.
4. Gravitate towards other “onezies” in the room.
5. Effective networkers don’t wait for opportunities to come to them. Bo an introduction facilitator- be proactive.
6. Volunteerism- altruism has it rewards.
7. It’s about giving and not getting- payback will come!
8. Hey, look at me when we’re talking! You can still work the room.
9. Don’t sit with people you know.
10. Effective networking requires investment time.
11. Name tag on the right side.
12. Never underestimate the value of a thank you.

Whether this is your first networking dinner, or your fourth, you can learn from Mindy’s tips. Make sure to build relationships with the professionals. You don’t need to talk to all of the professionals in the room; it is about the quality of the relationship not the quantity of professionals you speak with. When the dinner ends is when the relationship building can really begin. Email the professionals personalized thank you emails and connect with them on LinkedIn and/or twitter. The professionals attending the event understand the goal of student attendees is to obtain internships/jobs and make connections that can help them reach these goals so do not feel uncomfortable asking about internship programs or job opportunities- the professionals are attending to help you.

In addition to covering networking tips and tricks, Mindy shared with us what students can include on business cards: first and last name, phone number, email address, twitter, LinkedIn, and something to identify yourself (i.e.-PRSSA Member, PRestige Member). If you have networking cards, we encourage you to bring them to the dinner.

This year’s Networking Dinner is taking place today, November 6, 2011 at 8:00 PM. Professional guests include ESPN, Rubenstein, Hunter Public Relations, CJP Communications, Micah Jesse, and the American Kennel Club. I look forward to seeing all of you pro-networkers there!

Kim Caro
President, PRSSA

***MEDIA ALERT***

She’s the First*{Hofstra} to take part in National Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off

From Tuesday, November 1, 2011, through Thursday, November 3, 2011 Hofstra University’s chapter of She’s the First will be taking part in a national cupcake bake-off to raise money for girls’ education

 WHO/WHAT:
She’s the First is a national not-for-profit organization that sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping them be the first in their families to graduate. Hofstra University established the third national chapter of She’s the First, and as part of a national program, they will be baking tie-dye cupcakes to fundraise for girls’ education. Every cupcake sold will bring She’s the First closer to their goal of $20,000, or 66 sponsored girls.

WHERE:
Hofstra University Student Center Atrium
200 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 1 Kick-Off
9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST

VISUALS:
On-Site Visuals:

• She’s the First members selling cupcakes to students and administrators
• Students walking through Student Center atrium
• Colorful tie-dye cupcakes on display

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
On-Site Interview Opportunities:

• Different members of She’s the First selling cupcakes
• Students buying cupcakes at She’s the First table

CONTACTS:
Jill Archibald  /  jarchi2@pride.hofstra.edu
Chelsea Tirrell  /  ctirre1@pride.hofstra.edu

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Receive updates and view photos of the National Tie-Dye Cupcake Bake-Off event:
She’s the First*{Hofstra} on Facebook  /  https://www.facebook.com/STF.Hofstra
She’s the First*{Hofstra} on Twitter  / @STF_Hofstra

Harvest Festival Fun with She’s The First

Common hour can sometimes be hectic.  Being one of the only times that groups can have meetings, we end up running around from building to building trying to make it to all of the places we want to be.  Well this common hour, there’s only one place you’re gonna want to be!  Plus, if you have another meeting, the event goes on until 2!It’s The Harvest Fest!  And our new client, She’s The First, will be there!

Image Source

Who: She’s The First, and other clubs and vendors

What:  Lackmann’s Harvest Fest

Where:  The Student Center

When:  Wednesday October 26th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Why:  Why not?  Help She’s The First make a banner featuring students and what they were the first to do, and roam the other vendor tables for free snacks, drinks, and more!

It’s an event you won’t want to miss.  Hope to see you there!

5 Tips On Working Special Events

This entry was written by Jessica Nelson, Hostra PR Major

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits 2009 Summer Games

This summer I am interning at the Special Olympics Minnesota in the Development Department, focusing on special events. We recently held our annual Summer Games, which is a large event held at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Over 3,000 athletes from Minnesota come to compete in a variety of events over three days.  The competition is supplemented with activities in Olympic Town, including musical acts, games, as well as sponsor tents with activities, prizes and health screenings. My primary job was managing the volunteers from sponsoring companies in Olympic Town,  ensuring that they had a positive experience and encouraged their company to participate again in the future.

However, I quickly learned that anything can happen

at an event of this size.

5 Tips On Working Special Events

1. Work hard, but don’t be afraid to delegate or ask for help.
During a large event, everyone is often working in their own area and may not notice if unforeseen things are bogging down one person. We all want to impress our employers and show them that we can do it all; at least I know I do. However, sometimes you need to know when to enlist help from others. The primary goal for those involved in the event is to ensure that everything runs smoothly. In order to get things done efficiently, sometimes you have to delegate responsibility, even though you would prefer to do it yourself.

2. Learn to multi-task while continuously prioritizing
When you have many things going on at the same time, you must constantly re-prioritize each task in your head. If you are able to do this effectively, you will be able to quickly take care of urgent things that come up while accomplishing your normal tasks as the event progresses. If you get too caught up in the task you are working on, you might neglect something that should be top priority.

3. When you are thrown a curve ball, improvise and fast!
Two former Minnesota Vikings Football players were doing a Q & A session with a group of athletes onstage. We had expected everyone to jump at the chance to discuss football with the pros.  However, when three people asked about getting various things signed, we had to think fast. We didn’t have an autograph session planned, but because we knew the layout of the venue, which tent was available, where we could find an extra table and so on, the question was calmly answered.   The “Autograph Tent” was announced and then quietly set up. The tent was a huge hit and had a line all day. To the general public, one would have never guessed this was unplanned. If we had not been so aware of our surroundings – or if we panicked- the outcome could have been disastrous and we would have missed out on a great opportunity.

4. Treat everyone like the CEO … they might turn out to be just that!
A couple of times throughout the day, I would find myself working with people I thought were volunteers (as all staff members wore the same t-shirt as the volunteers on one of the days) but later it came out that they were actually board members or other higher ups in the organization. If I had let my guard down or let some of my professional attitude slip, it could have reflected very poorly on me.

5. Take on the spirit of your event, from the non-PR side too!
Although in your head you are constantly thinking from a PR prospective, make sure you have the client and their cause/purpose in mind and understand the event from the view of those in attendance. I was asked countless questions – not about my knowledge of public relations –  but regarding the Special Olympics as an organization, changes in the Summer Games from previous years and why I liked working for the Special Olympics. For every question,  I had to step out of PR mode.  I think this is a really important thing to remember; to do  your job well, but be a real person too.