Chat Gpt Prompts: Capturing the value of networking events

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If Networking Sucks, is Bad Networking Suckier?

It’s bad enough that most lawyers hate the concept of networking. But, even worse, when we drag ourselves to sit through a networking event, we oftentimes fail to capture the value of such events by not following up effectively with our new contacts. (And, NO, sending a lazy Linkedin request to connect is not effective networking.)

In this post, you can read about how to use Chat Gpt to help you capture the value of your networking. In particular, you will read about the following:

  • key methods for properly capturing the value of your time at networking events

  • a Chat Gpt prompt for post-networking emails, including a demo of how to use the prompt and a sample email

  • further opportunities to develop your networking skills.

How to Capture Value

If you want to transform your networking pain into getting business, you need to have meaningful conversations with your new contacts. In particular, you want to sit down with them to have an interesting chat and explore opportunities for collaboration.

So, how do you transform a 5 minute cocktail conversation into an opportunity for a meaningful conversation? In my experience, you can best accomplish this if you can (i) identify key interests of your contact, and (ii) help them with these interests. When you can accomplish these two simple concepts, then most new contacts will be open to having a follow-up conversation with you.

To demonstrate, let me walk you through the steps.

Step 1: Identifying Key Interests

When you meet with new people at networking events, try to keep your mouth shut. Instead of trying to wow these people with your legal brilliance, just listen to what they are saying and think about what is truly important to them. These truly important things are their key interests.

Step 2: Help Them with These Interests

Once you’ve identified their interests, make yourself memorable by helping them address these interests. For example, if they want to meet someone at the event and you can introduce them, you have already started to stand out in their mind. For another example, if they are looking for information on a legal topic, you can send them articles and/or introduce them to relevant colleagues.

Step 3: Leverage the Above Into a Meaningful Conversation

Last but not least, you need to explicitly use these interests to make an attempt at setting up a conversation. (Let’s be clear. Not everyone is going to be open to having a meaningful conversation with you yet. In this case, you just need to start involving them in your marketing events until they get comfortable enough with you to sit down for a chat.)

To set up a conversation, I would send an email with the following key contents:

  • identify the discussed interests

  • send materials that address the interests and/or propose another method for addressing the interests (e.g. making introductions to key people)

  • propose a meeting to investigate opportunities for your firm to support the client

  • Bonus: end with a final paragraph that addresses a personal interest of your new contact.

If that looks like a lot of work, don’t worry - Chat Gpt is going to do this for you. See the prompt below.

Chat Gpt Prompt: Post-Networking Email

You can find below: (i) a prompt for creating emails based on my above method, (ii) a demonstration of the prompt, and (iii) based on the demo prompt, a sample email created by Chat Gpt.

The Prompt

“Compose an email to a potential client (insert name of person) acknowledging his/her key interests (insert interests) discussed at the recent networking event (insert name of event). Include gratitude for their insights, offer supplementary resources related to the discussed interests (insert resources), and suggest a specific time for a deeper conversation to discuss interests further and explore opportunities for your firm to support the client. After the email, insert a P.S. that reflects upon a personal interest of the client (insert description of the interest) and offers a link to an interesting article about this personal interest (insert details of the article).”

Demo of the Prompt

Compose an email to a potential client (John Johnson) acknowledging his/her key interests (new US tax legislation that could affect European exports to the US) discussed at the recent networking event (Amcham Annual Ball). Include gratitude for their insights, offer supplementary resources related to the discussed interests (a recent article from your US colleagues on tax amendments and an offer to connect John with the authors of the article), and suggest a specific time for a deeper conversation to discuss interests further and explore opportunities for your firm to support the client. After the email, insert a P.S. that reflects upon a personal interest of the client (the downfall of the New England Patriots ) and offers a link to an interesting article (insert article about the troubles of Bill Belicheck).

Chat Gpt Email

Subject: Exploring Collaborative Opportunities: US Tax Legislation Impacting European Exports

Dear John Johnson,

I hope this message finds you well. It was a pleasure connecting with you at the recent Amcham Annual Ball and engaging in our insightful discussion about the new US tax legislation that holds implications for European exports to the US. Your keen understanding of this matter and its potential impact on your endeavors was truly enlightening.

To further enrich our conversation, I'm pleased to share some supplementary resources:

  1. Attached is a recent article from our US colleagues, delving into the intricacies of the tax amendments and their effects on European exports. I believe it provides valuable insights that align with our recent discussions.

  2. Additionally, I'd be more than happy to facilitate a direct connection between you and the authors of the article. Their expertise could offer a more detailed perspective tailored to your specific concerns.

I'm eager to explore these subjects in greater detail. Would next Monday at 3 PM or Wednesday at 11 AM suit you for a more extensive conversation? This dedicated time will allow us to delve into your interests further and explore potential avenues for our firm to support your endeavors amidst these legislative changes.

P.S. On a lighter note, I couldn't help but recall our conversation about the New England Patriots' recent challenges. As someone who appreciates the dynamics of the game, I thought you might find this article on the troubles faced by Bill Belichick intriguing: [Insert Link to Article].

Looking forward to continuing our dialogue and exploring collaborative opportunities.

Warm regards,

[Your Name] [Your Position] [Law Firm Name] [Contact Information]

Learn More

If you want to learn more about dealing with networking challenges, check out our article on Enjoyable Networking or sign up for our Natural Networking course.