6 Best Practices For Networking While Traveling

As a woman traveler I find it very important and fulfilling to network in cities that I’ve never been. It helps me find inspiration for my business and it expands my constantly growing network of friends and colleagues. Relationships are essential for personal and professional growth and adding a pinch of multiculturalism it’s always a good idea.

These are some things I do for networking while traveling before embarking on a trip.

1. Put the word out
Let everyone know you are heading to certain city/cities. You can use Facebook, Twitter or email. I find it more effective to do it via Facebook or email, but for everyone is different. Be specific with the ask.

2. Use your current network and communities
If you already belong to specific established communities, use them. For example, Summer Series, Sandbox, Young Entrepreneurs, Network of Women, etc, they all have Facebook groups where you can connect with other people. Send a message and, again, be specific with what you are looking for. Say you want to meet people in certain business or area, mention the dates you’ll be in the city and ask for introductions. If you know of someone that could be very helpful, tag her/him in the post.

3. Contact local hubs
Almost every city that I’ve visited has a co-working space. Contacting them and making an appearance is very helpful to connect with local entrepreneurs or business people. Don’t be shy, they are working there to meet other people in the first place, so foreigners willing to network are always welcome as well. One of my favorite ones is Hubud in Bali. It’s beautiful and unexpected and they are doing great community stuff over there.

4. Attend any networking event that might be happening
Do some research and try to hit at least one event that might be happening while you are visiting. Bring your business cards and tell everyone your story, without being obnoxious. Sometimes further introductions could come up out of brief conversations. You can find these events through Eventbrite or Meetup, to name a couple.

5. Ask your friends
If you have some friends that have visited the place before, ask them directly. Send a short email and tell them what you are looking for. If they can’t help you, most likely they will introduce you to someone who can.

6. Organize your agenda
So now you contacted everyone, got introductions, lined up some people, but you are still not sure how to organize yourself. The best thing is to coordinate your agenda and meet all the people you were introduced to before the trip on the first day or two and leave the rest of the days for further introductions from the local people you met the first days.

Now you are ready to kill it on your next trip! Do you have more tips you use when traveling? Let me know in the comments!