Event programmers place immense value on recommendations from speakers they already know and trust. Building relationships with established speakers can lead to warm introductions that are far more effective than cold submissions, giving your proposal immediate credibility and a closer look.
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Reframe your networking requests. Asking for a "referral" implies a strong endorsement and makes people uncomfortable. Asking for an "introduction" is a lower-stakes request that is much easier for your contacts to fulfill, dramatically increasing your chances of success.
The goal of networking shouldn't be to find your next customer. Instead, strategically identify and connect with potential referral partners. One such partner can become a center of influence, introducing you to hundreds of ideal customers, far outweighing the value of a single transaction.
The phrasing of a referral request dramatically impacts its success. Asking a satisfied client "Who are the one or two people that you feel would be a great fit?" is a presumptive command that prompts specific names, unlike the easily dismissed yes/no question, "Do you know anyone?".
Podcast interviews are a powerful tool for building relationships with otherwise inaccessible decision-makers and mentors. Offering someone a platform to share their expertise is a more effective way to get their attention than a cold email, creating genuine connections and business opportunities.
Don't leave networking to chance. Proactively identify and maintain a written list of at least 20 people in your network who naturally enjoy introducing others. Pairing this list with your target prospect list creates a repeatable, machine-like process for generating warm introductions.
The most effective way to receive valuable introductions is to become a valuable introducer yourself. By connecting people without expecting a direct "tit for tat" return, you build social capital and activate a cycle of reciprocity that brings opportunities back to you organically.
A top reason speaking submissions fail is a mismatch with the core audience. For instance, at IMEX, educational content is built for event planners (the buyers), not the hotel salespeople (the exhibitors). Deeply understand who the educational sessions are designed for before submitting a proposal.
The most valuable, long-term relationships at conferences are not made during official sessions but in informal settings like dinners or excursions. Actively inviting people to these outside activities is key to building deeper connections that last for years.
Top-tier event programmers, like those at CES, prioritize finding the best speakers and deepest experts in a field, then build the program around them. To get selected, focus on establishing and proving your authentic, deep expertise in one specific niche, rather than just pitching a topic.
Instead of generic networking, founder Janice Omadeke prepared for her accelerator by creating hyper-specific lists of target mentors. She cross-referenced sponsors and partners with HR leaders at "best places to work," enabling her to make targeted, intelligent asks and maximize every networking opportunity.
