Attending fashion industry events can be more than just about admiring the clothes on the catwalk. It can be a fantastic opportunity to make valuable connections that put you closer to achieving your fashionista dreams. Whether you’re looking to break into the fashion world, or you’re further along in your career, fashion networking is a great avenue for meeting the right people. Keep reading to learn about using fashion industry events to build strong connections.
1. Making the Most of Networking Opportunities
Networking is a great way to build relationships, expand your knowledge, and promote yourself, your skills, and your organization. Here are a few tips to help you make the most out of networking opportunities:
- Set Goals – Being prepared with achievable goals is key, so set your goals in advance and keep them in mind during the event.
- Do Your Research – Make sure to Google any events you plan on attending, and do your homework to ensure the event is relevant to your networking goals.
- Be yourself – it’s important to be yourself when you attend events – be sincere, open-minded, and have an honest desire to learn.
- Be Prepared – Have a few topics in mind for conversation, and be ready to discuss them if someone seems interested in your help or would benefit from it.
- Be Present – Pay attention to who is speaking, don’t go off in your own direction, and stay mindful of the conversation.
- Follow Up – Make sure to follow up with any connections you made after the event, and keep in touch with them in the future.
These are just a few tips, but if you focus on these you should be able to make the most of networking opportunities and come away with positive results. Networking takes some preparation, but if you set yourself up in the right way, you’ll be able to make the most of the situation and grow your network.
Spend some time exploring the event beforehand, so you can get an idea of who will be there, who you want to talk to, and the topics you want to cover. Having an understanding of the event and meeting new people will help you to get the most out of the experience.
And don’t forget the importance of networking outside of formal events. Try to talk to different people at the event, and don’t just approach people with whom you already have a connection. Speaking with strangers can be uncomfortable, but remember that everyone else is in the same boat as you. Plus, networking is about building relationships, so reach out and make some new contacts.
Finally, don’t forget to have fun while networking. Okay, it might not be the most thrilling activity, but it’s an essential part of professional development. And it can also be a great way to meet new people and discover interesting things. Don’t forget to get creative and find ways to engage people in conversations. If you’re able to put your best foot forward when networking, you should be able to have a great time and come away with plenty of value.
2. Mapping Out Your Fashion Network
Building the network of contacts that will help take your fashion career to the next level can be an intimidating thought…
1. Research the Brands You Love
No matter where you are in the fashion industry, you need to start by understanding who the key players are, and which brands best reflect your values. Write a list of fashion companies or labels that you think could be an asset to your career, and try to get a good understanding of the type of clientele each brand attracts.
2. Find the People Behind the Brands
With the list of brands you’ve finalized, it’s time to identify the people working behind the scenes. Look into their successes, achievements, and other credentials that brought them into the spotlight. Diging into the backgrounds of key players will help you to start creating a list of potential collaborators and gain a measure of insight into the industry.
3. Seek Out the Community
You’ll then need to reach out to the fashion community to establish yourself as an authority in the field. Get involved in local events, join industry organizations, and make yourself known. Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond; offering to help, volunteering, and attending events are all great ways to connect with the right people.
4. Get Connected Online
The internet offers ample opportunities to build your professional network. Reaching out to people on LinkedIn or Twitter, or even fashion influencers on Instagram, can introduce you to the movers and shakers in the industry. Participate in conversations, share relevant content, and most importantly, interact with those who have the potential to help your career.
5. Foster Professional Relationships
Now that you’ve established a foothold in the world of fashion networking, start creating relationships with fashion professionals. Research on topics related to their company and industry so you can have an interesting conversation when the time comes. Keep in touch and make sure to keep them updated, by sending relevant content their way.
6. Expand Your Reach
Once you’ve established connections with several influential figures, it’s time to broaden your network beyond your comfort zone. Look for more industry leaders and influencers you may have missed in the initial stages, and keep open-minded to build up your network.
3. Crafting an Impressive First Impression
When it comes to making a great first impression, it’s all about precision and preparation. From your appearance to the way you communicate, everything counts and should be taken into consideration. Here are some tips that will help you create a strong first impression and leave a lasting impact.
Be Authentic: The first and most important step to making a good first impression is to be genuine. Your interviewer or audience can immediately tell when you’re forcing something and when you’re being genuine. Be confident, but also keep in mind that you want to present the best version of yourself. Show energy and enthusiasm to make a lasting impression.
Be Prepared: Make sure you know about the interviewee or attendee’s background, mission and company culture. Come fully prepared to discuss in depth any topics that may arise during the meeting. Be ready to answer any questions, come equipped with a quality portfolio or presentation, and stay professional throughout the exchange.
Dress Appropriately: Your clothing choices communicate a lot about you. So, dress in a way that’s professional and appropriate for the occasion. Research the company culture and the event guidelines to ensure that your clothes fit the context and the standards.
Communicate Tactfully: The way you speak, gesture and express yourself will directly influence the way people perceive you. So, use the right kind of language, watch your intonation, and non-verbally communicate respect at all times. Show that you are confident with your answers by having a good body posture and a positive attitude.
Develop Lasting Connections: People remember those who leave a lasting impression. So, use the interaction with the interviewee or audience to not only make a positive first impression but also develop long-lasting relationships. Positive connections can open new doors and take your career to the next level, so make sure to smile, be friendly and establish a rapport.
Be Enthusiastic: Showing enthusiasm during a conversation can quickly break the ice, especially in a professional setting. So, come in with an open mind and enthusiasm for the opportunity and the people that you are meeting. Highlight your positive attitude and be passionate about the topics that come up during the exchange.
4. Taking the Next Step: Following Up
Now that you have taken the necessary steps to prepare a good pitch, it’s time to take the next step: following up. Making sure that you follow up with the people you originally approached is crucial. Here’s what to do:
- Contact the people you sent your pitch to. A polite reminder never hurts. Make sure that your contact info is included in your follow up message so they know how to reach you.
- Keep track of who you have sent your pitch to and when you sent it. It’s easier to follow up with someone if you can remember who you contacted, when, and what your conversation was about.
- Be patient. It might take some time before the person you sent your pitch to gets back to you. Just be patient and give them some time to review your pitch.
It’s also important to remember that following up doesn’t mean bothering the person who has received your pitch. You want to stay professional and be polite when following up. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t bombard the person you sent your pitch to with emails or phone calls. This will not only make you look unprofessional, but might also result in them ignoring your pitch altogether.
- Don’t take it personally if the person hasn’t responded to your pitch. It might be due to many reasons including lack of time, or forgetting about it altogether. Just politely remind them.
- Don’t be too pushy when reaching out to the person. Try to be friendly and professional as possible so you don’t intimidate them into ignoring your pitch.
- Be prepared. Know what to expect when you follow up. Have some ideas or suggestions ready in case they ask for them.
Following up is an important part of the process, so make sure that you do it properly. Don’t be afraid to reach out and politely remind them about your pitch. If done correctly, you just might get the result you are looking for.
Networking is one of the key elements of success in the fashion industry, and it can be beneficial to jump in “all dressed up” to industry events, conversation in hand. By making the right connections and engaging in valuable conversations, you can look good and be seen. See you at the next must-attend event!
