Networking 101: Establish Instant Rapport with this ONE Question

Tales from Saturday night . . .

1. “How do you know Renata? And . . .”
2. “What are you into?”

This happened to be during Renata’s ~40th bday party, but I now ask question #2 even in most professional networking conversations.

Most people look at me a bit askance, like “What do you mean? What am I into?”

My reply: “However you want to answer the question.”

I like their response because it provides an immediate read on someone’s:

1. Confidence (i.e., Do they roll with the question or fumble it?)
2. Engagement (i.e., Are they present? If not, it makes them so.)
3. Personality
4. Life priorities (i.e., Work vs hobbies)

I heard “Bad Horror movies” from one of her friends. I asked 1) why “bad?” and 2) why “horror?” His answers were interesting and provided the start to a nice conversation.?

The follow-up to ANY answer given is SO easy:?

1. "Why do you like XYZ?"
2. "Tell me more about that."
3. Compare notes if you are into XYZ too.

This is PROFESSIONALLY helpful in networking situations to YOU bc:

1. The person spoke about something THEY are passionate about and you become associated with that.
2. It’s a more memorable conversation than most, as most people don’t ask.?
3. You get to make your follow-up THAT much more interesting.?
4. Sometimes you learn or discover something new!?
5. It’s more fun than the usual networking drivel.?

So . . . I actually don’t like horror movies (and said So) and check Rotten Tomatoes AND Metacritic before watching any movie, but I promise you I had MUCH more interesting Saturday nights 10+ years ago . . .

What's that? What am I into you ask?

Well, thanks for asking. Alternative investments like #privateequity, #venturecapital, #hedgefunds, and Gridline . I mean this IS LinkedIn ;)