Tired of Networking... Start Socializing!

by Ken Schmitt and Vicky Willenberg

I miss the old days of social networking- scheduling time to meet someone in person to share a meal, play some golf, maybe have a drink to discuss business opportunities and to get to know one another a bit better. We mixed some social with their networking.

With the explosion of online social networks, such as LinkedIn, much of the “social” side of networking, has become obsolete or exists only in the virtual world. Handshakes are replaced by “likes”, we send posts rather than picking up the phone, and we “follow” colleagues rather than sitting down face-to-face.

What we've got is a lot of “networking” without much socializing.

In defense of this new dynamic, “social networking” is simpler to manage. With the typical work day stretching well beyond 9-5 and the unending demands of life, there isn’t much wiggle room in our schedules for more than a brief click; and as the holidays roll around, the demands on our time increase 10 fold. Personal commitments fill our holiday weekends before October has even come to a close, and the last thing you have time for (or interest in) is an evening spent making idle small talk with colleagues you’ve never met before. So when the Evite arrives from the local chapter of a marketing group or sales organization, your first instinct is to reply with a resounding “No, I don’t have time.”

Not so fast. This year, as the holiday season descends upon us, and the opportunities for in-person connections begin fill your inbox, it would be a great time to bring back the “social”, solidify those base line relationships, and more importantly, build new ones in a more genuine, face to face capacity.

5 Tips for Putting the Social Back in Networking This Holiday Season

1. Prioritize your events. Chances are, there will be many holiday socials to choose from. Remember, where you network is most important. Invest your time in groups that specialize in your field or whose members share your role or title. The more you click with a group and its members, the less it will feel like work, and the more fun you will have!

2. Timing is everything. Choose wisely and be realistic about your commitments and your calendar. Spacing out your social networking opportunities to one or two per week will prevent you from burning-out while allowing you to enjoy the social aspect.

3. Cast a wide net. Use the social season to explore new groups or organizations you’ve heard about or whose meetings you have not been able to attend in the past. Not only will you be able to learn more about the group itself, but you will likely form new relationships.

4. Don’t go it alone. Because holiday socials do not include an educational component and are purely for socializing, use this as an opportunity to bring a friend, vendor, or client and introduce them to the group.

5. Get to know THEM. Don’t lead with your business card and keep quiet about your latest sales numbers. Grab a glass of wine and a bacon-wrapped date. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Engage in conversations beyond 140 characters. Introduce them to others you might know at the event. Share a bit about yourself beyond your title and company, but don’t boast and engage others.

About the Authors

Ken Schmitt is the President and Founder of TurningPoint Executive Search and the Sales Leadership Alliance. Specializing in placing sales, marketing and operations professionals across the country, Ken’s 16 years of recruiting experience have equipped him with the knowledge to serve as a thought partner to his clients for all recruiting, hiring and human capital-related initiatives. Ken sits on the board of Junior Achievement, the American Marketing Association, the San Diego HR Roundtable and is an Advisory Board Member for San Diego Sports Innovators (SDSI).

Vicky Willenberg has served as the Social Media Manager for TurningPoint since 2011. In 2014, she was elevated to Digital Marketing Manager, broadening her participation across all things digital for the firm. A former teacher with a Masters in Education, Vicky is an active and published blogger at The Pursuit of Normal and a marketing professional. She has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends in the recruiting, hiring and leadership sectors.