My Anti-Tip Networking Tip

I get it. Networking and meeting new people is hard and scary.

Believe it or not, it's hard for me too (and I quite literally am PAID to TEACH people how to do it)

For me, I realized it had been awhile since I had been at a networking event where that was my only focus. I wasn't also running the event or taking pictures (the easiest conversation starter). I realized this the other night while standing alone in a room full of chatty women eating tomatoes by myself. I had attended a Lincoln women's networking event and only knew 1 person who would be there, but that evening she was busy, so there I was, riding it purely solo. Yet, I still made not just one, but likely 2 sales and here's how:

As one does in nervous situations, I quickly found the snacks and piled my plate. Then I headed over to a table and just ate my tomatoes quietly giving myself a pep talk that I could do it, and that I would be meeting 1 person before I left and missed my favorite workout class anyways.

This was lesson #1: Just hold on!!! There were versions of myself that as soon as it didn't seem like it would be easy to talk to someone, I would have just left and avoided the awkwardness. Here's the deal though: no one cares. It might stink being quiet in a room of chatter, but if everyone is chatting , that means they aren't paying attention to you and even if they did, who cares? Seriously, the WORST that could happen is someone simply notices you all alone. Maybe your friend went to the restroom - I don't know, and neither do they and likely they won't sit on the thought that you're alone let alone thinking why you might be alone.

Then lesson #2: There doesn't always have to be a lesson #2. That night before I could rack my brain on all the "how to start a conversation" tips I have ever learned or shared, the next thing I knew a lady asked "Hi, mind if I share this table with you?"

P H E W

This is the thing about networking that we often forget: only half of the people have to start a conversation first! The other half get to respond! Now, should we always be succumbed to chance? Absolutely not, but take the pressure off every once in a while and make a small goal (turn it into a mini-mission - way more fun that way)

And finally, most importantly, you DO need to show with body language you are OPEN to talk. Stop faking calls/texts on your phone, standing WAYYYYYY in the corner so no one can see you're alone, and put your head up, creating the chance for eye contact.

So there you have it. Just try it, go to an event stand happily still for awhile and just see what happens!

And if nothing happens, try asking to share a table with the other lonely person in the room. They are probably thinking the same thing.

Carpe Diem, my friends!