The world of essential oils can seem a bit overwhelming if you’re anything like me. Your scents, your blends, your products—that’s where you are. One of the fun things to do is to attend fragrance industry events, with a special emphasis on networking. Whether you’re a newbie to the world of scent (or a scent savant), these gatherings open up a world of learning, connection, and of course, some amazing scent experience.
Embrace the Excitement of Networking
An essential oil event is like being invited to Wonderland. I promise you’ll meet fellow enthusiasts, industry experts, and people pitching brands like HBNO showing off their latest lines. Networking at fragrance events is never just about exchanging business cards—rather trading cards with sourpuss’s faces and ‘they run in my family’ notes scribbled in the corner—that’s about building relationships that can make your scent community journey that much better.
My first fragrance expo is something I remember. The wafts of scent in the air made me nervous and excited. I wanted to connect, but put up conversations because it was scary. I had no idea that everyone else was just as wanting to connect!
Tip 1: Prepare Ahead of Time
When I go to an event, I always take a little homework. There is simply a necessity to familiarize myself with the schedule, the speakers, and the brands. It is knowing what is going to happen here that eases the nerves. Let’s say I was at one of the latest HBNO events and later noticed workshops blending oils and the keynote speakers talking about the advantages of essential oils. So not only did this prepare me to feel more confident, but it also sparked some really interesting conversations.
A handy tip is to list out goals when attending to your networking. Are you trying to make new friends? Learn about specific oils. Or, maybe you want to connect with an industry to potentially collaborate. By having a clear idea of what you do want to achieve it’s far easier to go and connect with people about this.
Tip 2: Start with Small Talk
When at the event, don’t think small talk. I like to start by commending someone’s oil blend or admitting that I love this HBNO product and that can break the ice. I chatted with another enthusiast who was wearing a beautiful diffuser in the shape of a necklace filled with frankincense. We bonded over our love of this grounding scent and ended up exchanging tips on how to start to pull it into our daily routines.
Or, you can ask open-ended questions to continue the conversation. If you ask “What’s your favorite way to use essential oils in your daily life?”, or “Have you tried any new blends from HBNO recently?”, you can get a fun discussion going and learn from others’ experiences.
Tip 3: Go to Workshops and Demonstrations.
Networking is key when attending many fragrance events and workshops and demonstrations are part of the genius. Going to these sessions doesn’t merely provide you with useful knowledge: it also allows you to get to know people in a less stressful setting. I attended a workshop using HBNO’s oils to create their custom blend, and it was so much fun!
In the session, I met a group of people who were equally excited to learn. We swapped tips on our favorite blends and teamed to create our citrus-scented oil using orange and lemongrass. This was a fun one that spawned some great friendships in the scent community.
Tip 4: Share Your Passion
Sharing your love for essential oils is one of the best ways to get others to connect with you. When you talk about what excites them, it’s so infectious, that other people can feel that it is so exciting. I love to openly discuss my favorite blends and how it has contributed to my wellness routine.
Something like how HBNO’s eucalyptus oil has turned my mornings around — something I’ve enjoyed sharing with others. The invigorating scent not only wakes me up but helps me clear my mind to be productive. Sharing my own stories always inspires others to share their own stories, and together this forms a beautiful dialogue of sharing.
Tip 5: Use Social Media to Connect
Now, of course, with the benefits of social media, why not carry your networking into tomorrow? Attendees use many events’ hashtags to share their experiences about certain events. These hashtags will connect you with other people who attended the event.
Since my last HBNO event, I posted a pic I did of the beautiful blends I made from the workshop. So I used the event hashtag and tagged the brand, and to my surprise a few people DM’d me to show their creations! The opportunity to create this digital networking and extend my scent communities beyond just the event has allowed for other collaborations to come about.
Tip 6: Follow Up After the Event
Once the event is over, networking doesn’t stop. It is imperative to follow up with people who you meet. A nice message, adding how much you enjoyed meeting them, or referring to some part of the conversation you had can work wonders.
For example, soon after my most recent HBNO, I reached out to a handful of attendees I had met at the blending workshop. Finally sharing the final blend we made and if they had any new blends that they were playing with. We got warm and enthusiastic responses, and we kept sharing tips and experiences.
Tip 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out
Don’t be afraid to reach out if you can find someone whose work or ideas you resonate with! This is for many of the industry experts and fans of essential oils, as they love to hear from people who share their love for essential oils. It will be possible through email or social media to simply send a friendly message in which you admire the person and you will begin meaningful conversations and relationships.
After finding someone on social media about aromatherapy that I feel is helping me, I got in touch with them. To my surprise, they promised to help me with tips and, even better, offered to chat fully about the work in the industry. A simple message does open unexpected doors!
Conclusion: The Joy of Networking
I reflect on my time networking at fragrance events and it has been so enriching. As much as the knowledge and the connections I’ve made have strengthened my passion for essential oils. As I attended these events I’ve not only expanded my circle within the scent community but it also allowed me to reach out and share my love for HBNO’s products with others.
If you’re thinking of attending an essential oil event, jump in! Discover the joy of networking with fellow geeks, industry gurus, and brand affiliates. As you remember to officially prepare ahead, engage in conversations, and share your passion, it will all feel like something easier. Who knows? In this fragrant world, you might just find your tribe left, right, and center.
