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How To Maximise Your Time At Networking Events
By Eileen Donaghey, Consultant-Donaghey & Chance
Since the pandemic, people have been increasingly selective of what events they attend and how they network. Lawyers are often under pressure to participate in Business Development events; so, we have set out some ways to help you review how you approach events in 2026. I speak with many female lawyers who find that there is so much pressure to attend events, especially in the evening, when they have caring responsibilities.
Here are three ways to make sure you’re making the most of your precious time when approaching networking events.
Before The Event: Going To The Wrong Events
A drinks reception in a nice venue always sounds like fun, but that’s not the real reason for going. Often, when people are selecting networking events to attend, they are doing it without a goal or within an overall strategy. This might sound obvious, but each time you see an event online or receive an invitation, make sure it feeds back to your overall strategy for the year. That can be a helpful and clear way of helping you decide whether or not something is worth your time attending. If you don’t have a personal strategy, then check what your department’s marketing strategy is for the year, and reference against that.
During The Event: Not Forming Meaningful Connections
Have you ever been to a networking event and spoke to someone new but you’ve found that they are looking over your shoulder to see who else is there? It can be disheartening, but people can sometimes be in a rush and not really listen to who they are meeting for the first time. Make sure to give everyone you meet a chance and ask open ended questions to find out more about them. You never know who you are speaking with and how they can help your own network.
Not Following Up
I say this all the time, but if you aren’t following up with connections that you make at a networking event, then you may as well have stayed at home. If you don’t follow up, the connection ends there and doesn’t progress into a business relationship. The best way to follow up is to make a note of the person and where you met them plus any information you have learned about them. Then decide how best to follow up with them; either by adding them on social media or via email. You can review each person and decide if they are someone who you could introduce to someone else in your firm or if you want to invite them to a future engagement.
Eileen Donaghey
Consultant
Donaghey & Chance
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileendonaghey/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/donaghey-chance/
February 2026