Networking. Love it or hate it? I love talking to new people and finding out about what they do, what they like, what makes them tick. I haven’t yet met one person who admits that they love “networking”. That they love going into a room with 100 strangers and can’t wait for the chance to interrupt a group of people already deep in conversation and announce to them all who they are and what they do. Surprised? No, didn’t think you would be. Networking events are daunting experiences to say the least. The only way you are really comfortable at a large networking event is if you are surrounded by familiar faces and really you just talk to people you already know – so actually you’re not networking at all. Otherwise, let’s face it, it’s scary stuff. I’ve compiled and shared my top 5 networking tips which have helped me over the years.
I’ve had to attend many of these events in my time and being an introvert have often read up on tips to make networking events a bit easier to manage and to have more confidence in a networking situation.
Networking tip 1:
Arrive early – contrary to the usual tip to arrive late and try and blend in, so the opposite. Arrive early when there are much fewer people there. This way you can mix with some of the event organisers (who are probably well connected) – offer to help with anything, giving you a reason to approach new people.
Networking tip 2:
Wear an outfit that you feel completely comfortable and confident in. If you feel conscious of how you look, you are giving yourself another hurdle to mingling with strangers. Look good, feel good and your confidence will show.
Networking tip 3:
Rehearse your strapline and intro. It’s so common to be asked who you are and what you do. Stuttering and babbling in response to these questions because you’ve suddenly been put on the spot will again know I you back and make you feel silly. Regardless of what the other person thinks of you. Have a line at the ready that you practiced out loud a few times so it rolls off the tongue. Not sure how to describe what you do? I met someone who would always answer “many things, what are you interested in”.
Networking tip 4:
Rather than ask people who they are and what they do, which can become quite repetitive, ask them what they enjoy doing on the weekends or what they did over the weekend. It allows people to open up in a non-pressured work way to ease people into the conversation. As I have kids myself, I often bring up something about them in passing and judge the reaction. If my networking peer has this is common it’s very easy to strike up a conversation about children which really breaks the ice. Other topics include sports – football, golf, cricket seem to tip the ranks, holidays, tv series/movies and pets.
Networking tip 5:
If there is a list of attendees before the event, look up a few that you might be interested to meet. See if they’ve written any recent blogs or articles on LinkedIn and things so you have a bit of insight into their interests.
It’s not a foolproof plan, but over the years these techniques have definitely helped me to feel more comfortable in a networking situation.