Legal networking can be fun and more easily integrated into your busy life if you make a point of not overdoing it and if you stick to attending events that interest you.
If you like art, consider attending gallery openings. If you are — or would like to be — a life-long learner, try lunch-hour or evening lectures. If you love being outdoors, try outdoor adventures.
Paramjit L. Mahli, of Profiting with Public Relations, suggests joining trade organizations in which “at least 30 percent of its members are potential clients.” Whatever route you choose, remember to be yourself and smile, even if you’ve had a bad day.
Tai Goodwin suggests following “Three Rules to Smart Business Card Etiquette” when networking, which include asking prospective clients for a business card, and following up with either an e-mail, phone call or, even better, with what Meghan Casserly of Forbes refers to as the “endangered species,” the “hand-written card,” if you really want to make a “stellar” impression.
Plan ahead. If you show up with a hand-written name tag, when everyone who pre-registered is wearing a nicely printed one, it may imply that you didn’t do your homework and pre-register. Clients don’t want unprepared lawyers working on their cases.
Be sure to arrive on time. After all, as Marilyn Longwell & Associates note, no one wants to contract with counsel who is already overwhelmed, because “If you hire a harried lawyer, you may wait days or weeks for a return phone call, and you may get less effective representation.” So if you can’t be prompt, consider skipping that event.
Finally, find time to establish and maintain an on-line presence. Consider starting with a LinkedIn profile. Once you’ve completed your profile, work on growing your connections and keeping up with the site updates. Whatever route you choose, select your events with an eye toward finding like-minded people, and don’t be surprised if you start looking forward to networking.