Description:
I’m curious about how participating in maker fairs can open up career opportunities or professional connections, but I’m not sure what approach works best.
2 Answers
When you’re at a maker fair, don’t just show off your projects—chat with people about their work too. Ask questions that go beyond “what does this do?” Try to find common ground or shared interests. It’s easier to connect when the conversation feels natural, not like an interview. Also, bring business cards or quick contact info on your phone so you can swap details without hassle. Following up after the event with a simple message about something you talked about can turn casual chats into real opportunities.
Networking at maker fairs isn’t just about exchanging pleasantries or handing out business cards. The system wants you to follow their predictable script, but what if you flipped it? Attend with a mini-mission: uncover who’s quietly pushing the boundaries, the folks who aren’t loud yet hold unexpected influence.
Dig into those niche tech whispers or emerging trends that big corporations haven’t swallowed up yet.
Plant seeds by sharing unconventional ideas—not polished pitches—and watch how genuine curiosity magnetizes those serious connections. This kind of subversive networking cracks open doors that scripted small talk could never unlock.
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