Staying warm? Slower weeks approaching, let’s take advantage of the last few events for the year!

Hey! Andres here,

Welcome to the networking desk! I got a few events for you this week, but they are starting to slow down, take time to go back and see what worked and what didn’t for your business this year and let’s make next year even better.

I just hope this newsletter is one of those good things that worked 👀

Here’s what we got this week:

• Things you need to set up your event space.

• 10 local Atlanta events.

Alright, let’s do this.

“Lean forward moment” of the week - Event Preparation Tips

We are getting ready to throw a great event! Now we need to prep the space with the right supplies and make it a networking environment.

Oh, right! — if you are lost, I am doing a series on having great events, feel free to go here and search past weeks to read more.

Let’s start with a full list of supplies, and then we’ll start with breaking down a few things to note. Click here for a full list the author made for all supplies needed for an event. I know I will be using it as a checklist on my next event.

Now, let’s break down some tips to set up the items on the list…

Do you know what brings together people? Yep, food.

But we will not be doing a proper dinner here, so we will do the second-best thing that brings people together. Alcohol 🍷

About alcohol: The book makes it very clear that we want to have alcohol there, they actually recommend calling the event “cocktails and icebreakers” but what if we don’t know how to make cocktails? Here’s what they say:

With this in mind, the event is not for you to play bartender, but instead help people connect and have a good time. Simply get simple drinks and mixers (water, seltzer, mixers, and ice) and set an area for people to prepare them.

I am also not a big drinker and I have actually seen a popularity increase of mocktails at networking events, so feel free to go for that as well.

Quick note on the drinks area: Place a marker nearby to write names on cups (do this to be less wasteful, also less mess for you to clean at the end). Place an empty cup on top of the ice to be used as a scoop.

Name tags: We talked a ton about name tags a few weeks ago on my newnewsletter, you want to read about that go here.

Cups: Use transparent cups (300ml) that are strong and look nice, I learned from the book that red cups are considered “frat party cups” so we don’t use those, haha.

Snacks: This tip might sound like is common sense… it says “take snacks out of their package and put on a container” but yeah, I would’ve definitely done something like this:

I know I am sorry… but hey it’s practical! (it works great when you have friends over and don’t like to clean, lol)

Preparing the space:

A few things here and they depend on if you are hosting from home or a private/public space.

First, if the space is private like a house clear out any toys, dog chewing toys, and even medications from counters and areas where guests will be put them in a container and away.

Then, (and I found this cleaver) place a lightly scented candle in the bathroom and make sure there’s a trash can.

Make signs that guide people to the entrance of your event. Specially if it’s a hard to find spot.

Finally, to my favorite part. The music, what do you play? Well, the book recommends the “Beach Boys” channel on Spotify, but my preference would be something like the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. It’s just awesome.

There are a ton of lists out there that you can use, just make sure they are not too loud, and with songs that are preferably “timeless” meaning no matter the age group you’ve probably heard it.

🖥️ Convert more website users into clients

🗓️ Now, the events…

⚠️ = If you haven’t please complete your BOI for your business before the end of the year. It takes 5 minutes, and you can do it yourself or find someone to help you. I used this video - Or go to the event marked, and they can probably help you as well.

⭐️ = top picks of the week

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Thank you for reading! Quick thing before I go:

1. If you are new or would like to read older posts, check out this page. There is a backlog of previous weeks of “The Networking Desk”

2. Know someone who would benefit from this newsletter? Be sure to share it with them! 📩 (just copy the link or forward this email) I will keep putting out great newsletters for them and for you. That’s a promise.

See you next week.

- Andres Inciarte