I LOVE networking events. When I started my business over a decade ago, my whole goal was to connect with people so we could all build our businesses together!

Using social media for networking felt especially relevant after last week’s International Women’s Day breakfast. I was honoured to speak as one of the keynote presenters at the event this year, talking about the theme for 2026: Giving To Gain.

The reason I love networking events is that they give business owners a chance to meet new people and build connections that support their business online AND off. Many of those connections begin way before the event even begins!

Part of the reason for keeping your social media profiles up-to-date and showcasing your business at its best is to keep the conversations you start in person going online when you get home.

When your online and in-person efforts work together, every event becomes an opportunity to build lasting connections.

Here is what you can do before, during and after an event to be ready to connect:

Before the Event:

Everyone gets a little nervous before a big networking event, so use your social media to prepare yourself! A few minutes on social media before a networking event can make a BIG difference.

Preparation helps conversations feel more natural, and it’ll give you a refresher on names and faces in case you run into people you’ve met before. (Is there anything more embarrassing than introducing yourself a second time by accident?!)

Here’s what I recommend before the event:

Look Up Attendees and Speakers

This part is actually fun! Check LinkedIn or Instagram ahead of the event for people who plan to attend.

Many events share speaker lists or tag attendees in posts: Take a quick look at their business and recent posts. Notice what they talk about online and who they work with.
You may also spot shared connections: Choose two or three people you would like to meet. Having a goal helps!

Engage With Attendees Before the Event

Here is where the magic starts! You can use social media to build up recognition ahead of the event by giving people a reason to seek you out.

If someone posts about the event, leave a thoughtful comment: A short, genuine response can kick off the connection before you have even met.
Comment on and Like stories: You can also respond to a story or recent post if something catches your eye.

By the time you walk in, people will already recognize your name!

Share That You Are Attending

Do not keep it a secret! This is how people can do the same things to find you, too.

Share an ‘I’m attending!’: Post that you will be at the event and mention what you are looking forward to.
Connect with organizers: Tag the host or organizer while you are at it. Maybe they’ll re-share your post!

Other attendees might see, and some may reach out, before the event even begins.

During the Event:

Social media can support your networking during the event, too. You do not need to be on your phone the whole time, obviously, but a few well-timed posts go a long way!

Share a photo, a takeaway, or a moment from the room.
Tag speakers, organizers, or people you meet.
Stories are also great for live events. Add a quick story, include the event tag or location.

These posts help others find you during the event. Some attendees may see your update and come to say hello.

After the Event:

This is the part so many people skip, and it is such a missed opportunity! The follow-up often matters more than the first introduction.

Social media makes it easy to stay connected without it feeling forced. This is where connections actually grow.

Follow Up With New Contacts

Send a message to the people you met. Thank them for the conversation and mention something specific you discussed.

It shows you were genuinely paying attention. A personal message always lands better than a generic one, so take the extra minute to make it count.

Engage With Their Content

Head to their profile and interact with their recent posts. Leave a comment or react to something they shared.

Ongoing engagement keeps the connection active between events. It also keeps your name visible in a natural way.

Share Your Event Takeaways

Post about what you learned! Share a short recap or a key idea that stuck with you.

Tag the organizer and the people you connected with. Your audience gets to see that you are out there investing in your growth, and the people you met get a lovely little mention. Win win!

A Social Media Strategy that Supports Your Networking

Your social media presence should support the connections you make in person. Consistent posting helps people recognize your name and your work.

A clear, well-put-together profile also helps new contacts understand what your business offers.

Think of your social media as your digital business card. People look you up after meeting you, so what they find should reflect who you are.

A strong, consistent presence builds trust before you even have a conversation.

If you want your social media to support your networking efforts, I would love to help!

At KA Social Media, I work with business owners to create content strategies that support real connections and business growth.

Your next networking event can start long before you walk into the room. Click here to find out more about Social Media Strategies or my VIP Days.

How Social Media Can Help You Get More Out of Networking Events