You're at a networking event where you feel out of place. How can you connect with others effectively?

Los eventos de networking pueden ser una gran experiencia o un suplicio. Aquí tienes varias ideas para romper tu percepción y salir con buen sabor de boca. 1.Quizás haya más personas en tu misma situación. Busca a otros que también parezcan estar solos o incómodos. 2.En lugar de las típicas preguntas sobre el trabajo, pregunta sobre hobbies, libros favoritos o pasiones. Esto puede llevar a conversaciones más memorables. 3.Identifica comentarios o acciones que te hayan gustado de alguien en algún momento del encuentro, y díselo. 4.Si estás hablando con una persona, invita a otros a unirse a la conversación. Esto te posicionará como un buen conector. 5.Primero escucha, y luego aporta. Hay muchos encantados de conocerse. Eso cansa y aburre.

A framework I encourage networkers to follow to prepare for an event is 'The 3 Who's Framework'. Assuming you know who is attending the event (if you don't, ask the organiser), you ask yourself 3 questions: 1. Who is a new connection I can make at the event? 2. Who is there that's an existing connection I can reconnect with? 3. Who is at the event that I can connect together? Then set small, achievable goals around each. E.g. Make 2 x new connections, reconnect with 1 x existing connection, make 1 x introduction between two people. Then watch that compound over time!

Antes de participar de um evento de networking, a prepara??o é fundamental. Pesquise sobre o evento e os setores presentes, e obtenha a lista de participantes se possível. Tenha um discurso de elevador pronto que destaque suas habilidades e objetivos. A prepara??o aumenta a confian?a e facilita conex?es significativas.

Start by being an observer to see if you can find your tribe. Then, make eye contact and use gestures to gauge if the other person is open to connecting. Do your best to break the ice and try having a conversation with one person at a time. If you still feel out of place, it’s okay to leave. Not every event is for you, and that’s fine—unless it’s an unavoidable event.

Yes, small talk about business/work is cool. But finding out about the human beings is cooler. Asking questions like: - What do you get up to outside of work? - If you had a day off tomorrow, how would you spend it? - Away from work, what are your passions and interests? With networking, you're building a human connection first, business second. This is the foundation of a strong relationship.

Feeling out of place at a networking event? No worries! Here’s how to turn it around. Start with a goal to meet a few interesting people—quality over quantity! Approach individuals or small groups with a warm smile and open body language. Break the ice with a fun compliment or ask about their connection to the event. Listen actively and show genuine interest in their stories. Share your own journey briefly, focusing on common interests or goals. Remember, networking is about creating relationships, not just swapping business cards. Follow up with a personalized message to keep the connection alive and thriving!

If who you are speaking to isn't your target market directly, avoid falling into a short-sighted networking mindset. You never know who someone knows. I met a lady networking who ran a small VA business and was getting frustrated that others overlooked her at events due to the size of her business. However, if they had taken a genuine interest in her, her backstory, why she started the business etc, they would've found out: - She started the business to spend more time with her 3 children - She was a partner in a big UK law firms with 20+ years experience - Her business allowed her husband to get back working in insurance in the city Unfortunately, short-sightedness meant others didn't find that out and missed potential opportunity.

Don't forget to keep your conversation open. There will be others wanting to join it, so avoid closing yourself off, and try to be the one that brings them in if you see them lingering on the edge. A simple and memorable way of making a positive impression on that person.

Try to follow the 'Swivelling Spotlight' analogy. Imagine there is a spotlight above your conversation, it should be swivelling around and shining on everyone as close to evenly as possible. If it's on you, or someone else, more than others, it might be a sign to move on or change up the conversation. And if it is time to leave a conversation, don't feel oblige to stay in it or that you're being rude leaving it. Everyone is there to do the same thing, and they are likely just as anxious as everyone else to make the first move in moving on. Say something like; "Great to meet you all, let's follow up and connect online after to continue the conversation." Then move on and continue your networking.

Antes de qualquer evento, prepare um elevator pitch que seja relevante para o público presente, o que ajudará a iniciar conversas com confian?a. Além disso, aproveite as oportunidades informais, como um papo no café, para se conectar de maneira mais descontraída. Esses momentos de intera??o s?o simples, mas eficazes, para criar vínculos e construir relacionamentos. Lembre-se de mostrar interesse genuíno nos outros, fazendo perguntas e ouvindo ativamente, o que facilitará conex?es mais profundas e naturais.