Love all of this!! I *ALWAYS* hate the prospect of going to a networking event, but usually am ALWAYS glad I did the scary thing. 😅
Here are the networking tips I've learned through my own scars 😂
- GET BOOZY WITH IT. Flask purse? They’re a thing. JJJJJK. I do not advocate for tipsy networking. 😂(HOWEVER, if I was given a choice between a happy hour or not happy networking session… preeeeety sure I’d do the happy one.)
- MEMORABLE BIZ CARDS! The last ones I created may or may not said I help people cockblock the competition (🤭) AND THEY WERE A HIT. Although I did lose years off my life when a sweet little old lady took my card, I thought she would murder me 😂 Turns out, she DIDN’T hate them, or me!!!
- COMPLIMENT THE PEOPLES! Love their romper? Tell ‘em. Think their hair looks fab? TOUCH IT, tell ‘em. Great way to break the ice. But only if you actually admire something. Fake compliments is just a no-no.
Otherwise, smiling, exude good energy, and laughter/jokes/sarcasm/self-deprecating-humor is great.
And, look for ways to make yourself more memorable… for example: “I’m in marketing” is way less memorable than saying: “I help people cockblock the competition” 😂
Thanks for talking about this important topic for us introverts and in-recovery people pleasers!! 💛💛💛
I am CRYING LAUGHING. Your biz cards …. Your BRAIN?!
Where are the people who collaborated on your creation… I need to personally thank them.
Thank you so much for the compliment tip. It aligns perfectly with my resolution this year to SAY THE NICE THING I AM THINKING ABOUT THE STRANGER. As an intro, I often chicken out. This is the push I needed!
😂😂🥰🥰 Sooo my cockblocking biz cards are my own creation and kept very secret from my (boring) day job biz cards 🤣🤣 To be clear, if I’m repping my company at a networking even, I don’t hand out my personal cards, only my day job ones lol. Otherwise, if I go to a networking event on my own time, I whip out my (way more fun) biz cards. 😂
MA’AM you would SLAYYYY with your compliments at networking!!! You give the MOST beautiful, genuine complements in the substack comments and if you did an ounce of that in person?! DONE.DEAL. 🥰🫶💕👏
Oh no you didn’t? Wow that biz card is certainly memorable Meg. I personally like giving candy. No one says no to a mini Resses cup. And my smarty candies were a hit with the readers at my event last weekend. I had to do something kid friendly instead of only talking about my LGBTQ books. (When someone with little people came by I concentrated on my inspirational interactive reading and writing series), ….then again maybe taking candy from strangers isn’t so bad?
This makes me smile. I love non-verbal communication and I would absolutely appreciate your colors!! I try to wear funny pins- I have one that says “Hi My Name Is Regina Phalange” 😂😂
Great article on a crucial topic, as a natural introvert and recovering people-pleaser, it think it’s important to understand the key point of networking. It’s all about the other person. Don’t worry if you have nothing interesting to say about yourself. It’s mostly irrelevant. Your job is not to get them to like you. Your job is to help them understand how much you like them. You do this by asking questions. Listening to them tell you about what they do., having them show you pictures of their family, their new car, their new boat, whatever’s important to them
By showing that you like them, and are interested in them and their story, they will have good taste, and will like you. Because by doing so they automatically validate themselves.
By no means, should you be phony. If you really find them pleasant, cut the conversation short. Believe me no one is worth that, no matter what your ego is telling you. Be authentic, be very careful about making any commitments. And above all, exude love and joy with every look and every word.
Thank you so much for inviting me! Hope you had a fantastic birthday!
Thank you so much for subscribing and supporting DPP. I’m touched you took the time to leave such heartfelt feedback about authentic networking- I bet you are such a wonderful ally at social events.
I love when I get to the point of seeing the family pictures and hearing about Great Aunt Marge!! 😂✨
😅 if I gather more intel from our substack friends on how to thrive in these kinds of settings, I’ll be sure to share back!! Thank you for reading today, CVD!
Hi Kaylen. I love #4 the reminder that it’s a fresh start and not to jump right into people pleasing. 👍🏻
My take on networking… True networking is someone else doing the introductions. This middle person knows both parties and can introduce “X” to “Y” informing “Y” why they feel they should connect with “X”.
Everything else we call networking, really is self-promoting and too often comes across as self-severing and doesn’t land well. It’s about listening to the other and connecting with them genuinely if you have something of value to contribute.
When I’ve been in these large social gatherings, it’s my silence that has drawn people to me and then I’m asked to speak.
I was drawn to your writing because of your open vulnerability. How you write one thing and change your mind but leave in your original words with a line through them. That’s also original thinking! I’m uncomfortable if someone sees my handwriting! You have a sense of humor with yourself. That’s endearing.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on networking as a genuine human! I appreciate reading that listening is valued, because I am a much more confident listener than share-er.
I’ll keep your tips in mind for the next event I go to, Grace! 🤍
Love all of this!! I *ALWAYS* hate the prospect of going to a networking event, but usually am ALWAYS glad I did the scary thing. 😅
Here are the networking tips I've learned through my own scars 😂
- GET BOOZY WITH IT. Flask purse? They’re a thing. JJJJJK. I do not advocate for tipsy networking. 😂(HOWEVER, if I was given a choice between a happy hour or not happy networking session… preeeeety sure I’d do the happy one.)
- MEMORABLE BIZ CARDS! The last ones I created may or may not said I help people cockblock the competition (🤭) AND THEY WERE A HIT. Although I did lose years off my life when a sweet little old lady took my card, I thought she would murder me 😂 Turns out, she DIDN’T hate them, or me!!!
- COMPLIMENT THE PEOPLES! Love their romper? Tell ‘em. Think their hair looks fab? TOUCH IT, tell ‘em. Great way to break the ice. But only if you actually admire something. Fake compliments is just a no-no.
Otherwise, smiling, exude good energy, and laughter/jokes/sarcasm/self-deprecating-humor is great.
And, look for ways to make yourself more memorable… for example: “I’m in marketing” is way less memorable than saying: “I help people cockblock the competition” 😂
Thanks for talking about this important topic for us introverts and in-recovery people pleasers!! 💛💛💛
I am CRYING LAUGHING. Your biz cards …. Your BRAIN?!
Where are the people who collaborated on your creation… I need to personally thank them.
Thank you so much for the compliment tip. It aligns perfectly with my resolution this year to SAY THE NICE THING I AM THINKING ABOUT THE STRANGER. As an intro, I often chicken out. This is the push I needed!
✨🫎❤️🩹🦄
😂😂🥰🥰 Sooo my cockblocking biz cards are my own creation and kept very secret from my (boring) day job biz cards 🤣🤣 To be clear, if I’m repping my company at a networking even, I don’t hand out my personal cards, only my day job ones lol. Otherwise, if I go to a networking event on my own time, I whip out my (way more fun) biz cards. 😂
MA’AM you would SLAYYYY with your compliments at networking!!! You give the MOST beautiful, genuine complements in the substack comments and if you did an ounce of that in person?! DONE.DEAL. 🥰🫶💕👏
Oh no you didn’t? Wow that biz card is certainly memorable Meg. I personally like giving candy. No one says no to a mini Resses cup. And my smarty candies were a hit with the readers at my event last weekend. I had to do something kid friendly instead of only talking about my LGBTQ books. (When someone with little people came by I concentrated on my inspirational interactive reading and writing series), ….then again maybe taking candy from strangers isn’t so bad?
Hehe thank you!! And candy/treats are such a great idea!!! Chocolate? Yes please lol Sounds like you had a great book event… YAY!!! 👏👏👏
I try to wear something memorable. Usually bright colors or my book shirt. People do remember clothing better than faces sometimes.
This makes me smile. I love non-verbal communication and I would absolutely appreciate your colors!! I try to wear funny pins- I have one that says “Hi My Name Is Regina Phalange” 😂😂
Thank you for reading and contributing, Diana!!
I am 100% anti-networking! I can't do it unless I absolutely have to lol I will hug walls and hide in corners lol
But I do appreciate all the tips and tricks you listed! :)
You're brilliant, K!! Xoxo
Okay but WAIT MESA!! You are so brilliant and bright and incredible… the world needs to know of you and your heart.
You are our local AMMA.
I would demo any walls to find you and make sure the room knew just how blessed they are to be in your PRESENCE ✨✨
…or…
We could run away together and enjoy some gelato 😂 🍨
I’m all for both!! And yes, if it’s a hugging event I’m all in! And oooooo gelato sounds so good right now!!
I love you, K! I’d demo walls for you too!! Xoxo
Great article on a crucial topic, as a natural introvert and recovering people-pleaser, it think it’s important to understand the key point of networking. It’s all about the other person. Don’t worry if you have nothing interesting to say about yourself. It’s mostly irrelevant. Your job is not to get them to like you. Your job is to help them understand how much you like them. You do this by asking questions. Listening to them tell you about what they do., having them show you pictures of their family, their new car, their new boat, whatever’s important to them
By showing that you like them, and are interested in them and their story, they will have good taste, and will like you. Because by doing so they automatically validate themselves.
By no means, should you be phony. If you really find them pleasant, cut the conversation short. Believe me no one is worth that, no matter what your ego is telling you. Be authentic, be very careful about making any commitments. And above all, exude love and joy with every look and every word.
Thank you so much for inviting me! Hope you had a fantastic birthday!
Hi Aaron!
Thank you so much for subscribing and supporting DPP. I’m touched you took the time to leave such heartfelt feedback about authentic networking- I bet you are such a wonderful ally at social events.
I love when I get to the point of seeing the family pictures and hearing about Great Aunt Marge!! 😂✨
As an introvert who doesn't love networking events, this is so helpful! 😁
😅 if I gather more intel from our substack friends on how to thrive in these kinds of settings, I’ll be sure to share back!! Thank you for reading today, CVD!
Hi Kaylen. I love #4 the reminder that it’s a fresh start and not to jump right into people pleasing. 👍🏻
My take on networking… True networking is someone else doing the introductions. This middle person knows both parties and can introduce “X” to “Y” informing “Y” why they feel they should connect with “X”.
Everything else we call networking, really is self-promoting and too often comes across as self-severing and doesn’t land well. It’s about listening to the other and connecting with them genuinely if you have something of value to contribute.
When I’ve been in these large social gatherings, it’s my silence that has drawn people to me and then I’m asked to speak.
I was drawn to your writing because of your open vulnerability. How you write one thing and change your mind but leave in your original words with a line through them. That’s also original thinking! I’m uncomfortable if someone sees my handwriting! You have a sense of humor with yourself. That’s endearing.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on networking as a genuine human! I appreciate reading that listening is valued, because I am a much more confident listener than share-er.
I’ll keep your tips in mind for the next event I go to, Grace! 🤍