5 Networking Tips (for Awkward People)
Formal networking events suck?—?they’re forced, awkward scenarios where people size you up to decide if you’re worth giving a business card to. Or worse, they jam a business card into your hands as quickly as possible and move on.
Still, there are tons of meetups that will expand your network and allow you to make connections with interesting people. I don’t just recommend you attend one or two?—?you NEED to get out and meet people if you want to build support in the business community. If you’re not a natural networker, sometime a little “secret sauce” will help. Here’s a few things I’ve learned that work for me:
Seed conversations beforehand
People talk about the things they’re doing online. Like, a lot. If the event you’re attending has an event hashtag attached, search that hashtag the day before. You’ll find people talking about how excited they are to attend the event. Follow those people, send them a quick message to say “Hey, saw you’re attending #XYZEvent. Me too! Make sure to say hi!” Find two or three of those and you’ve pre-loaded the event with people you “know”?—?guaranteed conversations. It also cuts down the awkwardness factor when you’ve already “met” online.
Don’t try to meet everyone
Unless the event is REALLY small, you’re not going to get to meet everyone. Don’t try?—?it cuts short the interactions you have with the people you do meet. Focus on making two or three new connections, and really connect with those people. A few deeper connections is stronger than 20 surface connections (who won’t remember you the next day). Plus, you don’t have to initiate weird conversations with 20 people. Win-win.
To be interesting, be interested
This one really should go without saying, but actively listen to what people are saying. The tendency when “networking” is to just wait until it’s your turn to talk. Unless you want people to do the same to you, it’s worth tuning in. Bonus?—?When people realize that you actually care what they have to say, they open up more and tell you the really cool stuff they’re doing. You’ll have a real conversation rather than a stilted, uncomfortable interaction.
Don’t act like you want something
We can all smell the disingenuous guy whose only interest is in what you can do for him. Don’t be that guy. If every conversation starts with “So what do you do?”, you’ll set the record for short conversations and zero connections. If you’re only talking to someone because they’re the HR manager at XYZ company, you’re guilty. That same HR manager might have an interest in mountain biking, or be really into college sports. You should find out!
You don’t need a reason to be there
Unless the event is specifically targeted to a topic, you don’t need to be employed in a certain industry or fulfill a specific job function to attend. You needn’t (and shouldn’t) feel “out of place” in the room, even if you’re there to learn more than contribute. If someone asks why you’re there, say you’re interested in the (insert subject, host, venue) and you thought you’d drop by for the free appies and beer. Cue laugh. Move the conversation along.
Bonus?—?SMILE! Also, watch the rest of your body language.