It’s easy to think all entrepreneurs are outgoing folks who love to gab about what they do, but that’s not always the case. Some of us stress, sweat, and stumble, especially in a room full of people we’re supposed to be networking with. If this describes you, don’t worry. Know you’re not alone, and follow some of these networking tips to help yourself feel more at ease.
1. Go alone. Does the thought of walking by yourself into a room full of strangers conjure up memories of middle school dances where your crush went off with someone else? We get it. We feel you. We’ve been there.
But here’s where you need to be careful: back in middle school, you probably went to the dance with a best friend or a bunch of chums, right? (So at least you had someone to commiserate with when your heart was broken.) Going to networking events with a friend, however, is NOT the best strategy, and here’s why: it will be tempting—too tempting—to pal around with your friend all night. Sure, you’ll still meet some people, but you won’t meet as many people as you would if you walked in alone.
Going alone forces you to interact with others. You won’t have any choice but to go up to people and introduce yourself. But guess what? We promise that’s as hard as it gets. People are typically quite kind and understanding at networking events (most people feel like you do), so you won’t have to worry about some jock from the football team threatening to give you wedgies.
2. Give yourself a realistic goal and a reward to look forward to for reaching the goal. We love goals. We love rewards even more. So give yourself a realistic goal, like “Tonight, I will introduce myself to eight people, get their business cards, and make tentative plans with at least one person for coffee or lunch later this month.” And then make sure you have a reward in mind once you reach that goal. Maybe it means stopping for an ice cream on the way home. Or buying a new pair of shoes. Or allowing yourself a three-hour marathon with your favorite TV show next weekend.
3. Show up with three easy “stock” questions that you can use on anyone. It’s funny how our minds can shut down the minute we walk up to someone we don’t know, isn’t it? That blank space in our noggins can prove daunting as we struggle to find words—any words—to use.
So here’s the thing: practice three super easy stock questions that not even your freaked-out mind can forget:
- Tell me about what you do.
- What are the biggest challenges you’re facing right now?
- What do you love most about your job?
4. Show up with 2-3 lines that can disengage you from the conversation. You don’t want to monopolize one person’s time (even though it feels safe), and you don’t want to be that person some other frightened soul clings to (even though you can relate). This means you need to excuse yourself from the conversation in an elegant and polite way. Again, practice some stock lines:
- I hate to cut this conversation short, but I need to visit the restroom. Can you point me in the right direction?
- It’s been so nice talking to you, but I don’t want to monopolize your time. Perhaps we can meet up later?
- Thanks so much for chatting with me. I’ll look forward to connecting with you via email/LinkedIn.
5. Wear something that makes you feel great. This is not the event to try out never-been-worn shoes or that suit in the back of your closet that’s clean but a little, um, tight. Wear something that makes you feel confident. Yes, it should be appropriate for the venue and time of day, but we trust you can figure that out. Bottom line: don’t buy something new and untried. Go with something you’re confident and comfortable in. (By the way, wearing promotional apparel that sports your company’s name is always a nice touch.)
6. Leave your phone in your pocket, purse, or in the car. The phone has taken the place of the pal you want to bring with you to the dance. We understand why, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK. Don’t be one of those people standing alone with a drink in one hand, your phone in the other, absorbed in whatever latest cat meme is floating around Facebook. You’ll come across as aloof and unapproachable, which defeats the whole point of networking. A phone is too much of a crutch. You can live without it for an hour or two.
7. Follow-up via email or LinkedIn, if appropriate. The networking doesn’t end the moment you leave the event. In fact, the event is just the preview. The real networking is what happens afterwards—how you decide to further engage the contacts you just made.
It’s good form to follow up with people via email and/or LinkedIn. Let them know you enjoyed talking to them (mention something specific from the conversation so they know you’re for real AND so you can jog their memory). For those folks you’re particularly interested in, offer to take the person out for coffee or lunch. Rinse, lather, and repeat.
BONUS: Not all networking events will be an appropriate place to hand out promotional items, but for those events where you can offer a leave-behind, here are 5 ideas for promotional products that will get you noticed.
Do you attend lots of networking events? What are some of your tips for getting the most out of these opportunities? Share in the comments.
