Networking In New York: How To Make The Most Of Even A Short Business Trip

Networking is a crucial step for any professional to advance their career and get the most out of the opportunities in their industry. Business trips can be a valuable time for networking, allowing you to branch out your professional contacts beyond your normal sphere. If you want to make the most of a professional trip, you’ll need to know the best ways to network in a new area; this can be tougher than it might seem.

Of course, you will have the contacts and office branches you visit to help you get started. But it would be best if you went further than this to maximize the potential for the business trip. You should make use of all the typical networking techniques:

• Attend trade shows and conferences.
• Connect with friends of friends.
• Explore possible connections on social media and organize as many business lunches and dinners as possible.

Connect With New York Based Professionals On Social Media 

LinkedIn is the obvious choice for this one, but even Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be used to expand your professional contacts in NYC. Spend a few hours before your trip connecting with professionals and business owners in your industry. Drop them a quick message explaining that you’ll be in New York in the coming days and would love to connect in person during any business events you’re attending. Be prepared for this to have mixed results – some people won’t connect with others with whom they have no connections. Still connecting ahead of time using social media can be an excellent way to maximize the networking potential of your upcoming visit.

Never Eat Alone 

Eating should never be a solitary activity when making the most of networking on a business trip. Business breakfasts, lunches, and dinners give you an excellent opportunity to know possible contacts better and connect in a social setting. This can be a much better way to get to know possible connections than short conversations in conferences or the boardroom.

Travel Smart 

It is important to ensure reliable transport for your business trip to find cost-effective ways to get to New York City. Flying is one option, as multiple international airports, including LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports well, serve NYC. The best choice for you to use to get to and from NYC will depend on where you’re traveling from – for instance, you can get excellent value for money taking the bus from Ithaca to NYC. Always use a reputable ticket provider like Wanderu to get the best value on the bus or train tickets and to find the right departure times to get you to NYC at the right time.

Print Plenty Of Quality Business Cards 

Some consider business cards a thing of the past, but they still have a vital function in today’s networking game. Business cards, both to receive and give out, can be an excellent way to keep track of the people you’ve connected with. When receiving business cards, try to jot down a note on the card to remind you who gave it to you – it can be easy to forget if you’re taking many cards, which you should be to maximize your networking potential. Your own business card should be high quality, using professional grade paper or card. The information contained in it should be succinct and to the point: name, email address, phone number, and job title are a must.

Dress Well 

For many people, how we look outward can impact how we feel inwardly. The phrase ‘dress for success’ is popular for a very good reason. You should find several business outfits that make you feel confident and self-assured – a shopping trip may be in order. Let your personality shine with your clothing choices, but avoid being too avant-garde with your sartorial choices. It is a delicate balance between being stylish, professional, and memorable. If you’re unsure, it may help to connect with a personal shopper or stylist who can help you find the perfect outfit selections for your New York business trip. New York is the city of fashion, so it is well worth going the extra mile to ensure you fit in. You should also pay close attention to the dress codes for the events you’ll attend to ensure you choose an outfit that suits you best.

Final Thoughts 

Networking in New York City can be challenging but also filled with excellent opportunities. NYC is a fast-paced city environment that is not for the faint of heart – you’ll need to be able to keep up with the big players to prove your work to possible contacts. The most important thing for a shorter business trip is to turn every daily activity into a possible opportunity to network: go for your daily run with a contact, ask a colleague to show you around the city and attend as many business meals as possible.