By Greg Star

As a founder who has started a company in college, I’ve had to build up a large network fast.  At first, I dreaded walking into a room where I knew nobody, but after some years of practice, I’ve discovered some interesting strategies that have made my networking more effective and enjoyable.

Over the next few months I’ll be diving into some tips and stories that have helped me along the way. This first tactic, is used for efficiently meeting COI’s ( Centers of Influence) at networking events in new areas.

Its a tactic I call the “Scavenger Hunt” and includes these five steps:

Step 1: Make friends with the front desk

The first thing I do when I show up to an event is talk to the people at the sign in table, and ask them who the organizer of the event is. Even if you already know the person organizing, it’s always smart to engage the people working the front desk, as they hold the real power (knowledge of the event/area) and because most people overlook them, they are easy to connect with. Once a few pleasantries are exchanged, I then ask my front desk contact to introduce me to the event’s organizer.

Step 2: A specific ask

Once I’ve now found and met the organizer, I let them know my situation, and then ask a very specific question.  For me, the question is usually something along the lines of: “ In your opinion, who is the best networker in the room”? Or “ If you were in my position, who in this room would you talk to?

However, the question can be specific based on your personal needs. For example, if you are looking to meet someone in the healthcare field, ask who has a background in healthcare.  Keep in mind, it’s the organizers goal for people to meet and have a good time, so by showing initiative in a respectful way, I have found that they appreciate when I ask them for help.

Step 3:  A warm intro

Once the COI is identified by the organizer, I then ask him/her if they would introduce me to that person. Most times the answer is yes, and then right there I have a warm introduction to the targeted COI. If in the case, the organizer is busy or not quite comfortable (rarely ever happens) I just ask them to point him/her out, and I go to that person directly and say “ X person said we should meet, so I wanted to introduce myself.

Step 4: Repeat

Once I’ve talked to this perspective person, and the conversation dwindles down, I then ask them the same question that I asked the initial organizer. Now, I have identified another valuable COI and make another connection.

From here, a “scavenger hunt” of sorts takes places, where you are hopping from one warm introduction and valuable contact to the next.

Step 5: Thank you’s

Last but not least, the thank you is crucial. Not only have you now made new and valuable connections, but you have established a deeper relationship with them right off the bat, because they have already helped you with their introductions.

After the event, it’s a must to send a thank you note, and update them on how your conversation went with the person they suggested meeting

Bringing it all together:

This tactic has been very helpful for me for meeting variety of contacts, investors, clients, and now friends.  I have found that I can meet 3-4 key people right off the bat (within 20-30min of entering the room), and establish a base of community stakeholders in a fast and efficient time frame. I encourage you to try the scavenger hunt, and see how it goes!

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Greg Star is a Founding Partner of Carvertise, a Delaware-based advertising company that places ads on private commuters’ vehicles. Think of Uber meets advertising. Greg has been named Delaware’s Young Entrepreneur of the year by the SBA  and is an active member of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. Greg can be reached at Star@carvertise.com, or for more information about Carvertise, like our Facebook page!

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Top photo credit: Startup Drinks via photopin (license)