How can you start a conversation with a new contact at a gaming industry networking event?

My step wise approach 1. Know the attendee list 2. Check the relevance of the list you want to get introduced to or connect to. 3. Research about the Person/organization/ interest and topic they represent. 4. Find the common interest and relevant topic to strike a conversation.

Here’s a VERY formulaic approach to one way to do this: 1. Identify the personalities with whom you’d most like to connect. Try to make it a list of 5. 2. Research. Seek to understand 2 ways in which YOU can potentially help each of your list of 5. Then write down 2 ways each of them can help you. Lead with the former. 3. Prep 3 <20 second questions ready for each person. Ask about things that interest both the person and their audience. 4. Make each 3 question set an acronym you assign to each person so you can easily remember. 5. Research which panels/meet and greets/networking events/after hours events are most likely to create the opportunity to ask questions. 6. Ask in a way that allows for a meaningful answer. 7. Follow up.

Definitely do some homework prior to the event, check out the posted session and identify who will be speakers and panelists at the event. You have the opportunity to engage and ask questions to some amazing folks at these events that would otherwise be really hard to reach!

In addition to researching the event I would encourage you to use LinkedIn or other social platforms to see who will be attending the event. These attendees maybe of interest to you for a variety of reasons and you can do a little bit of background research before you go so you will feel more confident and have some common ground to network on.

Just start talking with people there, no need to sell anything but just to have a good conversation about anything. End of the day if your potential customers had a good time talking with you, they will answer to your messages/emails the next time you approach them

Ask what they are drinking and if you can get them one. Talk about games they are currently playing, enthuse about shared favourites and mechanics. The conversation will naturally flow towards what they do and what you do, giving points of common interest. Don’t push a sales agenda! Make sure you get a card/ email address and follow up with a non sales mail. The universe provides the rest.

Arrive early. Avoid events with too much noise and where decision makers would tend to avoid. Introductions via common connections break the "ice" better. Don't soffocate or monopolise their time, exchange contact details at early stages, let the conversation flow naturally don't force a personal intro or sales pitch; listen more. Watch body language and understand different cultural approaches and remember that you're been watched as well; have a good time and don't drink to much.

When I approach someone, I ensure to do homework about them. As this is how my pitch is tuned towards them. As you meet different people with different needs at these events, your approach should also be different. Some bits remains the same, but customize your pitch based on your audience.

I fully agree that a few rehearsed conversation topics will make breaking the ice easier. I would also take a page out of the improv book and end your “pitch” with an opportunity for the other person to respond. Whatever their point is you need to continue the conversation with a “Yes, and..” statement.

Try not to trail off-topic, laughing at inside jokes only you will get, or mentioning to many names/dates/places. If I fall behind, I probably won't make it to your end-point.

As society is slowly acknowledging neurodiversity, don't be afraid if things like shaking hands or making eye contact are difficult for you. Remember to keep your contributions to conversations around three or four sentences, ideally ending with an open question and a smile to cue to other person to continue. When you don't know how to continue a conversation, you can always discuss games, the bigger the game, the higher the chance that other people around you will have an opinion about it and continue the conversation.

This is the most important section in my opinion. I'd further emphasize focusing on getting to know the person you're talking to. People love sharing about their own experiences and feel valued when someone shows genuine interest in them. This is where the connection happens. When you genuinely focus on getting to know someone else, the opportunity to share about yourself comes naturally. It's important to avoid being so focused on your own pitch that you fail to actively engage with and listen to the other person.

A small take away that I apply is simple passion for the industry. When you love what you do it shows. To explain it further, hopefully most of the individuals who work for the gaming industry are in it by choice. That means these people played video games since they were young or at any point in their life. That means you already have something to talk about! Games, video games. If they are from a specific publishing/development/esports company, talk about their game! Say what you appreciate about it, if you love the game, state it! I’ve met countless of individuals in and out of the industry by simply wearing a League of Legends t-shirt or whichever. Because people love to talk about their passions, who doesn’t? :)

I think asking how anyone got into the business is a good ice breaker since there aren’t a whole lot of us. We go from property to property unless we get out of gaming altogether

When having a conversation or starting a conversation, below are tips you should follow: 1. Offer a genuine compliment, such as, I really enjoyed your presentation. Can you tell me more about your work? 2. Talk about the event itself e.g What session have you most enjoyed so far? 3. Read up on current events, including gaming and esports, particularly on topics that may be relevant to the event or locale where you are networking. 4. Avoid religious and political topics unless brought up by the contact

I found that the best way to keep in touch is through following up on the topic you know your contact has spoken about, or where you both attended the same subject of an event - it instantly creates interest by the other party, as you are seen as interested in the subject and wanting to engage in a common subject, as opposed to a general "hi". That kind of interest can quickly lead with a positive follow-up and engagement on LinkedIn or Twitter (whatever floats both of your boats). In fact, this helped me with my first gaming contacts, and helped secure a job in the games industry as I was "the only one genuinely interested in what we were doing, as opposed to just wanting to use the meet to get an interview down the line".

This can easily be the hardest and easiest part of networking in the industry?? It can be difficult because of how easy it is to let time go by and forget to follow up with our amazing new connections. On the reverse side, it can be surprisingly easy to stay in touch if you worked hard to make sure the connection was genuine from the start! When you find someone to network with at an event who shares similar interests or is easy to talk to, the rest falls into place as you're not feeling like it's a "chore" to follow up your new connections. Everything, including staying in touch, is made easier if you approach networking from wanting to make a genuine, meaningful connection ??????????

Staying connected after an event through LinkedIn is huge! Even a small note after an event can be a nice touch. It's important to remember that building a network is developing relationships. It shouldn't be just a transactional process, but it should authentic and genuine. We are all human beings trying to help each other out!

To sign a client for my platform, I'll: - Send a personalized follow-up email within 24 hours of our meeting, recapping key points and expressing my interest in collaborating. - Schedule a call or meeting to discuss specific details, ensuring I understand their needs and how my platform can meet them. - Regularly share updates or relevant industry insights, maintaining engagement. - Be responsive to any queries or concerns they may have. - Aim to meet in person, if possible, to strengthen the relationship. - Be patient and persistent, nurturing the relationship over time.

I think the biggest issue I've had is not following up! There have been so many times in life I brushed off a very nice conversation with someone and never reached back out and I look back and realize - "Wow, that person was trying to work with me and truly connected to me". With modern day social media it makes it easier than ever - throw them an invite and shoot a message reminding them how enjoyable your conversation was.

Be INTERESTED, instead of INTERESTING. Too often networking and meeting others gets overcomplicated because we hope that person wants to talk to us. But make it simple. If there’s someone you want to meet because they inspire, spark curiosity, or just seem really cool, tell them that. Being interested in someone is the simplest way to engage without any pressure. People want to be approached when their authenticity is the reason of interest.

While business cards seem like a good idea, I personally find them to be dated and likely to be lost in the shuffle of a conference or event. Opt for a digitial business card or quickly share an introduction message on linked in after you network for immediate follow up that’s less likely to fall through the cracks. Be sure to include a reference to what you connected / talked about as networking with many individuals can become a blur for even the most seasoned attendees.

Reach out in advance to cultivate a personal connection prior to the event. People often share which events they’ll be attending on social media, creating an opportunity to start a conversation before arriving in person. Once connected, ask for time to meet at the show. Everyone is busy and leaving it up to chance does no favors for either party. Having planned, dedicated time set aside allows you to make the most of it. They’ll appreciate the level of organization and thoughtfulness and you’ll be more likely to strengthen a key connection.

I completely agree with Marie. Unless you are interested in other person and to what they are saying, the conversation doesn't flow. Remember to be heard you have to listen as well. And no better way in building conversation around the persons experience and interests. And remember be yourself and true and not to fake impressions. A confident eye contact, smile on you face when you speak and listen, are remembered by most. Nowadays a good way to connect is also the Linkedin QR code to connect.

BE MEMORABLE! My biggest career event for gaming was at RTX in Austin, TX. Nobody knew my name. I sat right down with a group of "big names" and just started chatting and let them know I was playing in the tournament on Team Synergy. I saw one of the professional gamers of the team who won it all and a big influencer in the twitch/gaming space who wasn't too confident with women and I brought him two girls that had been eyeing him down all night and we shared a huge laugh and smiles and ended up enjoying a lot of the weekend together. This led my team and his team to naturally spend the weekend together and led to an awesome story and lots of networking! Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to fall.