Euan's day at the Edinburgh Business Show

There is something unique about a room when it’s filled with hundreds of networkers, each engaged in the art of professional small talk. Last week, I attended the Edinburgh Business Show at the Royal Highland Centre, and as someone relatively new to the networking scene, I walked in feeling a mix of excitement and, if I’m being honest, nervousness.

What I found was a brilliantly diverse spread of people. One minute I was chatting with representatives from a bank, and the next, I was learning about the hustle of a local cleaning and catering business. It was a reminder that good communication sits at the core of every business, no matter their industry.

Starting the chat

The day kicked off with a fantastic session by Colin McKeand, Scotland’s “Mr. Networking” which was an eye opener for me. Networking can feel daunting, especially without much experience in crafting interactions the right way. I have been guilty of falling into the trap of feeling like every networking conversation I have needs to start with what feels like a pitch, but Colin’s advice was refreshingly human. He called this the "what do you do?" trap and urged us not to lead with this question. It’s an easy go to, but it often leads to a stale conversation. Instead, focusing on genuine connection at first makes the whole process feel less like a chore and more like a chat. Potential business opportunities can follow, but if there is no human connection in the first instance, they are far less likely.

The second piece of valuable advice Colin gave was the importance of the follow-up and emphasising the "as soon as possible" rule. If you meet someone great, don't let their business card gather dust. A quick email or phone call shortly after the event is what turns a brief encounter into a real business opportunity. It can be tempting to let things get in the way and leave follow-ups till tomorrow. Then the next day, then the next and so it goes on until you realise it’s been weeks and then your connection has forgotten all about you and the opportunity is gone.

Boosting Visibility on LinkedIn

In the afternoon, Sam Rathling took the stage to talk about all things LinkedIn. In a world where your digital presence is so important, her tips on visibility were fantastic.

She broke down how to move beyond being unseen to becoming a visible part of the conversation. Whether it’s optimising your profile or engaging more meaningfully with your feed, the goal is to ensure that when people look you up after an event like this, they see someone who is active, engaged, and approachable. Every event is an opportunity for content, for example a before post, during post and an after post. Breaking down events like that allow you to stick to the most important rule: consistency. Consistency in your posting schedule and content allows you to grow in the spaces you want to grow in, steadily improving impressions.

I left the Edinburgh Business Show feeling much more confident than when I arrived. Networking isn't about selling; it's about building a community of fellow humans who may not necessarily have an opportunity for you now, but that could be right around the corner. By ditching the standard questions and committing to a quick follow-up, the whole experience becomes much more rewarding.