While folks think first about professional benefits when it comes to networking, few realize that talking to strangers enhances their quality of life.<\/p>\n
Nearly 62% of employed adults<\/a> in the U.S. consider themselves lonely \u2014 a major blow to someone\u2019s sense of well-being. In fact, love, belonging, and connectedness are right at the center of Maslow\u2019s Hierarchy of Needs.<\/a><\/p>\n Often, folks feel, at once, overlooked and<\/em> reluctant to strike up a conversation with someone new. It begs the question: Are people being left out, or are people getting in their own way?<\/p>\n If no one begins a conversation, then everyone shares responsibility for leaving out<\/em>.<\/p>\n Why do people do this? For a few reasons. People avoid talking to strangers<\/a> because they assume:<\/p>\n All are understandable fears, but research indicates that talking to strangers has more benefits than drawbacks. For one, it is surprisingly informative<\/a>. Not only will you gain new insights, but you\u2019ll also get better at talking to strangers<\/a> with each new conversation. Then, you can reap the health, social, and career benefits that go along with it.<\/p>\n To help fend off the awkwardness, refresh your social skills with this cheat sheet of in-person networking best practices \u2014 just in time for your next event.<\/p>\n Sometimes showing up is the biggest hurdle. Maybe you feel it when walking into a room of strangers, initiating a conversation, or worrying there\u2019s food between your teeth as you open your mouth to speak. You want to leave a good first impression \u2014 and that can be pretty darn intimidating. Its often why people prefer video calls<\/a> as it feels less daunting.<\/p>\n But if you front-load some solutions, the networking experience can be less stressful.<\/p>\n What motivated you to RSVP a yes in the first place? The answer will help determine your networking purpose.\u00a0 Do you want to:<\/p>\n Your answer also shapes how you interact with others. You might be more direct if you\u2019re looking for a job. On the other hand, if you want to make a friend, you might focus on building rapport by chatting about shared interests.<\/p>\n Whatever the reason, if the event organizers share a list of attendees, note the people you want to meet who help fulfill your purpose. Finding them will be your first task when you arrive at the event. Then, when you\u2019re ready to leave, you\u2019ve already accomplished your top goal.<\/p>\n Once you know your \u2018why\u2019<\/em>, consider incentivizing yourself to meet a set number of people. For example, after talking to 10 people, treat yourself to a forest hike soon after the event \u2014 a hike with many trees and few people.<\/p>\n If you tend to be introverted or reluctant to engage, why not use gamification to motivate yourself? It works in the marketing and e-learning industries<\/a>, so it might help you feel more confident, optimistic, and excited about mingling with strangers.<\/p>\n When we meet someone new, we want the other person to like us, and we don\u2019t want to fumble over our words. Even the suavest people get flustered sometimes. Many people fret over starting conversations, keeping conversations flowing, and ending them when the time comes.<\/p>\n If those situations cause you to shut down, be proactive by having responses at the ready:<\/p>\n By practicing responses, you eliminate some of the heavy lifting required of your brain in the moment. This frees you up to focus on the other person, rather than thinking about what to say next.<\/p>\n Stop playing a guessing game of “Suit versus Cardigan”, check the event description for clues about the dress code. Ask event organizers or veteran attendees for suggestions if it\u2019s not specified. If no one knows, your safest option is business casual attire. When selecting your power outfit, consider these factors:<\/p>\n If time allows, lay the options out the night before so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. When event day rolls around, choose the outfit that feels most comfortable and confident so you can leave a lasting impression.<\/p>\n Even Beyonc\u00e9 used an alter ego \u2014 Sasha Fierce<\/a> \u2014 to boost her confidence before performances. Take some inspiration from her and create your own pre-event ritual. Turn up the volume on a mood-boosting playlist or take some cleansing breaths, and write this down, so you have a back-pocket pep talk for later:<\/p>\n It’s normal to feel both excited and nervous. Since adrenaline provides a performance boost, funnel the energy from the uneasiness to power through introductions with a smile.<\/p>\n When you walk into the event space, look around to see what other people are doing. Industry and location social norms can dictate in-person networking events go, but these tips are universal among most industries and locales:<\/p>\n If you forget someone’s name or want clarification on how to pronounce it, politely ask for a reminder. Most appreciate the effort, and you won\u2019t stumble over it for the rest of the event.<\/p>\n A wise mermaid once sang, you \u201cwanna be where the people are.\u201d So, hang near the bar or wherever folks gather. If that causes sensory overload, seek out people sitting alone or initiate a meetup. After all, they probably feel like you do.<\/p>\n Whatever you do, resist hiding behind your phone. Sure, at least that way you feel like you are doing something instead of awkwardly sitting there, but it also makes you seem unapproachable.<\/p>\n Some folks prefer to navigate the event with a supportive friend. If talking about yourself feels uncomfortable, finding and being a wingperson might be the right strategy for you.<\/p>\n Before the event, ask friends and social media connections if they are attending. If so, recruit them to be your networking buddy and reciprocate. It\u2019s often easier to champion someone else, and they likely feel the same.<\/p>\n Also, when three or more people are involved in a conversation, one person can be \u201con\u201d when the other\u2019s energy begins to wane.<\/p>\n If you learn one conversation tweak, let it be mastering the art of asking open-ended questions. They require answers that dig deeper than a simple yes or no answer because they usually begin with words like why, how, or what.<\/p>\n Then, ask follow-up questions to show interest and learn more. Some examples of good open-ended questions for in-person networking events are:<\/p>\n And you\u2019re not limited to work \u2014 questions about hobbies, pets, and travels are all fair game.<\/p>\n Curiosity leads to more successful conversations during in-person networking events, which ultimately results in meaningful connections.<\/p>\n Active listening is more important in networking than being good with words. When you\u2019re genuinely interested in what the other person is saying, it’s easier to resist urges to monopolize the conversation.<\/p>\n Maybe you have already mastered active listening, but your short-term memory is unreliable. If so, jot down notes about your conversations. Later, you can share sincere compliments or follow up because the contents of your discussion will be in front of you.<\/p>\n Often, actively listening reveals opportunities to use your skills or connections to help others achieve their goals.<\/p>\n Begin by introducing yourself with your name and the short elevator speech you practiced before the event. If you have one, share an easy way to remember your name.<\/p>\n After chatting for a while, what happens if the conversation just isn\u2019t flowing anymore? Pop culture was made for this moment \u2014 pop-culture references are widely known and fun to talk about. Consider brushing up on:<\/p>\n Sometimes, people put up emotional walls to protect themselves from harm. In recent years, public figures such as Brene Brown<\/a>, Glennon Doyle<\/a>, and Kim Scott<\/a> have advocated for a revolution of vulnerability.<\/p>\n Most would agree that networking events are a vulnerable experience even though many feel exposed in these situations. Even so, embracing the awkwardness can ease the tension for everyone and foster stronger connections simply because you are experiencing the awkwardness together.<\/p>\n At times, people attempt to seem less vulnerable by being competitive, but it usually repels connections.<\/p>\n Instead, if someone shares an accomplishment, resist the urge to impress everyone with a more impressive accomplishment of your own. Instead of one-upmanship, compliment the person on their achievement and ask for pointers.<\/p>\n Not only are you showing vulnerability, but asking for advice is also a great way to build relationships. And people like to feel useful, so asking for a small favor<\/a> fosters goodwill and a deeper connection.<\/p>\n Once in a while, it\u2019s tricky to know how and when to end a conversation. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re ready to move on, but your conversation partner is not, consider flashing a genuine smile and using one of these phrases:<\/p>\n These parting words serve as cliffhangers, so you can pick up the conversation where you left off the next time you speak.<\/p>\n Prepare to follow up with your contacts during the networking event instead of waiting until it\u2019s over. Since it\u2019s tough to remember everyone’s name and face, ask to take photos of people and their nametags as you meet them. Then, future you can refer to the photos when it is time to\u00a0 follow up.<\/p>\n\n
Step 1: Make a captivating first impression<\/h2>\n
Know your why<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Make a game of it<\/h3>\n
Rehearse some words<\/h3>\n
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Dress to impress<\/h3>\n
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Hype yourself up<\/h3>\n
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Follow social norms<\/h3>\n
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Step 2: Focus on learning about others<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nFind and be a wingperson<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nUse open-ended questions<\/h3>\n
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Listen more than you speak<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Share more of yourself<\/h2>\n
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Be vulnerable<\/h3>\n
Leave them wanting more<\/h3>\n
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Step 4: Stay connected<\/h2>\n
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