With nearly 200 million people in the United States fully vaccinated against Covid-19, social gatherings are finally making a (safe) comeback. Now that conferences and events starting up, it’s refreshingly time to swap the sweatpants for business attire and switch from networking online to networking in person.
It’s no surprise that after nearly two years in isolation, many people feel a sense of social awkwardness when meeting new people. Navigating social situations is something that comes naturally for some, but for others, it’s not that easy. If you fall into the latter group, your communication (both verbal and nonverbal) skills may be a little rusty. (And that’s OK because let’s admit it—it’s been a rough two years!)
If you’re feeling nervous about going to an in-person conference or event, these 10 tips will help refresh your networking skills.
Easier said than done, right? Wrong! If you lack confidence, you could be one of the 7 out of 10 people suffering from Imposter Syndrome. Remind yourself—you’re smart and capable, otherwise, you wouldn’t be where you are in life.
Confidence (but not overconfidence) will help you stand out and make a lasting, positive impression. Most people are at least a little nervous when they first walk into a large, in-person event. Don’t be afraid to go up to the person in the corner and introduce yourself because chances are, they’re feeling a little nervous themselves. (And who knows, you never know who you may meet!) If you want to brush up on your public speaking stills, try improving presentation skills to get over any event jitters.
Messy buns and sweatpants were a work-from-home staple for many people. If you’re venturing out into the professional world again, it’s probably time to dig through your closet and find something you love that isn’t your robe and pajamas. (Remember that saying, if you look good you feel good? It’s true!) Wearing an outfit that fits well and makes you feel good in will only help you feel more confident at in-person gatherings.
If you’re at an event and you see someone you know, ask them to introduce you to people they know. Networking through others is a great way to establish strong connections because there is already some level of rapport.
One of the most common conversation starters is, “So, what do you do?” In a purely social setting, it’s usually fine to mumble through this, but at conferences, you need to have a perfected elevator pitch. Having a ready-to-use elevator pitch will not only remove any worry about how to respond, but it will also help you appear intelligent, professional, and confident.
No one likes it when someone else controls the entire conversation. Listen actively to what your new connection has to say, and ask follow-up questions. This sales tactic will lead to a more engaging conversation and leave a good impression.
Seldom do people go to a networking event and want to only talk to one person all night long. Be respectful of both your and the other person’s time and limit the conversation to 10 minutes or less. When done, share your business card so that you can follow up and continue the conversation at a later point.
Digital business cards are a new, powerful networking tool. They can be edited at any time, contain more information than a paper business card, and can be shared with anyone, anywhere. For networking, we recommend HiHello, which is the #1 rated digital business card app on the App Store and Google Play. (It’s also completely free, but has digital business card subscription plans available for power networkers who want access to premium features.) When you share your digital card with someone, HiHello will even send you an email reminding you to follow up.
Networking isn’t a one-and-done sort of deal—growing and maintaining your network takes time and effort. Make sure you follow up within one day of meeting someone so they remember who you are. Perhaps suggest the two of you grab a coffee or connect on LinkedIn—doing something like this will help establish and cultivate that new connection.
The world has seen enough negativity over the past two years, so keep your conversations lighthearted. Ending on a positive note will make you appear more open to continuing the conversation outside of the event or conference.
Finally, the most important part of networking is to be yourself. Staying true to yourself will show people you’re genuine and trustworthy—someone that they should have in their network.
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know!
The main image for this article was from Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash.
