Fun ways to network during the holiday season

“Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.” – Victor Borge

QUESTION: “So … I feel like maybe my networking approach should be different or something during the holidays. People are busy. Some are freaking out over relatives who insisted on coming to town. I get it. I’ve been there. So, do people still want to network during the holidays? If so, how? And do I REALLY have to go to these parties?” - Tom

ANSWER: First of all, Tom, thank you for giving me a belly laugh. I needed that. You are so right about the holidays. They can be a very stressful time of year. Let me take your questions one by one.

Q: Do people still want to network during the holidays?

Some people won’t want to talk to you, or anyone else. But they are rare. The holidays can be very stressful (as you said ... relatives), but we all crave human connection. We especially crave positive human connections. If you focus on being friendly, and making the other person’s day a little bit brighter, you’ll find a warm reception almost everywhere you go. And, when you run into a Grinch, remember this: that person REALLY needs your smile.

Other people won’t see your LinkedIn or Facebook note because they are busy. They are the majority. Heck, I have a hard time keeping up with all the LinkedIn messages I get on a daily basis! I love talking to people, but because I have a large network, post regularly and speak so often, I often get a lot more invites and messages than I can handle in one day. So, what to do if you get ignored on LinkedIn? Try again! If they still don’t answer? Try something terrible daring and unusual these days: call! (I know, I know. Most people won’t answer the phone … but they will eventually say “Oh, I have a voicemail! How crazy is that?!” Then they will listen to your voicemail and be delighted by the sound of a real human being wishing them a happy holiday season. Try it. It is a great way to stand out from the herd.

However, most people in my experience love to chat during the holidays. Many are desperately seeking an excuse to get out of work for an eggnog. What’s my experience in all this? (What do I really know about networking during the holidays?) Pretty extensive, actually. I’ve been feeding my family through networking + referrals for the past 21 years (working as a straight commissions recruiter, sales person and now business owner will do that to you). Trust me: networking is never easier than it is in December. 

Q: How do people want to network during the holidays?

People want to relax and have fun. They will not respond kindly to a “hard sell” approach (do they ever?) Take advantage of the many splendors of the holiday season and turn up the volume on your networking efforts because this really is the best + easiest time of year to meet new people and catch up with old.

Q: Do you have to go to ALL the parties?

Of course not … but it sure would be good to! Happy music fills the air. Even when people are going through a tough time at home, if they are out at a networking event or party, they are definitely in search of a distraction and fun conversations. People want to talk about family, food, the New Year, winter fun and their upcoming winter getaways. People are more likely to say yes to an eggnog meeting, or at least chatting with you on the phone. 

Here’s how I take advantage of this wonderful time of year:

1. I do NOT start any conversation with work. I rarely do that throughout the year, but I especially don’t do it this time of year.
2. I go to almost all the parties (even when I don't feel like it). You never know who you will meet. Conversations are easy. People are happy (mostly). Unlike attending networking events where you may not know a soul, at holiday events you and the people you meet usually have something in common (party host, etc.). There are lots of fun and easy things to talk about. 
3. I wake up a little early so that I can reach out to many more people than usual on LinkedIn … which frees me up to make phone calls at a respectable hour (make sure you honor time zones!) Yup. I deliberately take advantage of the easy holiday spirit. I start this in November “Happy Thanksgiving!”, and I carry this on deep into January (obviously, starting January 1 my message is “Happy New Year!”) Now, you may be thinking “Catherine, this is really boring and basic.” Yes, it is. But guess what? I don’t know a lot of other people who are doing this … so it feels novel to the people I am reaching out to! I also don’t stop with the “Happy Holidays” message. I tack on one more personal message. It could be about anything: work, mutual friends, a trip I know they take every year with their family. 
4. I make “Happy Holiday” phone calls. Yes, I said PHONE CALLS. Remember them? I love this time of year, and I take advantage of my own happy spirit to call people and wish them a happy holiday. I start before Thanksgiving, and tell those folks “Happy Thanksgiving!” After Thanksgiving, if I know which holiday they celebrate I wish them a happy one: “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Happy Kwanzaa.” If I’m not sure if they celebrate any religious holiday at all, I play it safe and say “Happy Holidays!” then ask them what they’re planning to do for the holidays. From there, the conversation is easy. When New Year hits (which it always does), and I still have folks to call, guess what: I have the entire month of January to call and say “Happy New Year! What’s new with you?” It’s pure fun. I have fun conversations with folks about their family traditions, travel plans and lots of other things.  

Who I call

I start with my friends because it's fun and I want to keep them. Then I call my clients. Then I hit my list of key contacts. Yes, I do keep an Excel spreadsheet of key contacts. You need to know who your staunchest supporters / referral partners are ... and you need to make sure they know how much you appreciate them. Once I'm done with that, I basically scroll through my database and my LinkedIn contacts until I find someone who makes me say "Oh! I wonder how s/he is doing!" I don’t call everyone I know (I’ve collected 8,400 connections in my personal database, and I have over 6900 LinkedIn connections). I really wish I had time to. I do, however, call a bunch of people. When I have downtime between meetings, I scroll through my phone’s contact database and start calling people. 

I leave voicemails … with no strings attached

Most of the calls go straight to voicemail, and that’s okay. I simply leave a message, and close it out with “No need to call me back. I just hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season” (or something similar).

I don’t want or expect anything from anyone

That’s a lie. Of course I do. As human beings, we always have hopes when we chat with someone. I am always hunting for new customers … which means sometimes when I'm dialing the phone or reaching out on LinkedIn, I really hope it turns into business! However, I bite my tongue and focus on saying hello and checking in first. I don’t ask for referrals. I don’t ask for anything during the holiday season. I simply call to wish them a great holiday season. Most conversations swing to work at some stage, at which time I don’t say “I need your help.” Instead, I ask what they're working on and whether or not they have any pressing problems I can help them solve. I definitely let them know what type of business (new projects) I'm looking for in the new year … but keep it light and positive.

I do get leads. You will, too!

It is not my mission to find new business, but I always do. In fact, 2 years ago I landed a new client on December 22nd. It was someone I had met 6 months earlier. I called to wish her a happy holiday season, and she said “I’m glad you called. Let’s do this!” Yee-hah!

Make sure you take time to enjoy friends and family this holiday season

Between now and the new year, I hope you find time for family and friends, laughter and love … and remember: what matters most to your children, your family and friends is YOU … not what you do (or do not) buy them.

P.S. If you’re looking for work, know this: Companies ARE hiring right now!

Looking for work right now (full-time job or consulting work), know this: it isn't fake news ... the job market really is HOT. Job vacancies are up 15.7% over the time last year (DEED). There were 82,000 brand-new positions posted in my metro area mid-November ... and that does not account for all the "hidden" jobs (you know ... the vast majority which never get posted online). This is the best employment market since I first got into recruiting twenty years ago. While it is true that many companies put on a hiring freeze at the end of the year (and many are laying off as well), there are plenty of companies that are freaking out because they need to spend their “headcount” hiring dollars before the end of the year (or they will lose them in the budget next year). Furthermore, companies who are trying to hire are finding FAR fewer candidates to pick from ... so they are hungry to meet you.

When you meet someone who isn't hiring right now, don't despair! Stay in touch. When new budgets roll out in January, you’ll be the first person they call … and you will jump to the front of the line because you've already met them. Think about it: If you needed someone to fix the plumbing in your house, who would you call first? Some stranger you found online, or the plumber you met over artichoke dip at a party last month?

Before you leave the conversation, you should find out what that person does for a living, and ask to connect on LinkedIn or Facebook (or wherever they like) so you can stay in touch. A simple "So, what do you do for fun?" or "What do you do for work?" will get you there. Take a real interest in them - and their work - and they will undoubtedly wind up asking what you do for a living. Do NOT say "I'm unemployed." or "Nothing." That is a real conversation - killer. Instead, tell them what you do for companies. Then you can tell them that you're AVAILABLE or “I’m actually on the hunt for my next big adventure as a (state your job title or area of expertise – and what you can do for a company - in less than 10 seconds if you can. Keep it simple). Do you know anyone in that space?”

Stay in the game, and you will find the companies who need you right now. Most of your competition has hung up their job search boots for the month of December, so the playing field is all yours.

Now, go put on some holiday cheer and have some networking fun!

COMMENTS: What do YOU love to do to network during the holidays? I'd love to hear in the comments below.