You know that you should be networking with various groups and events. It’s a great way to connect with people and promote your business. But the fear of walking into a room of strangers is horrifying, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter how social you are, it’s never a comfortable situation at first. Let’s look at a few strategies for managing your fear and making you a hit.
Put yourself in their shoes
Believe it or not, no matter how confident and cool everyone looks, they all have the same fears and insecurities as you. Now put yourself in their shoes. Wouldn’t it be great if someone like yourself came over, broke the ice and started the ball rolling? That’s what they are hoping you’ll do. Help set their mind at ease. Take the initiative. Introduce yourself. They’ll love you for it and won’t forget it.
Volunteer
If you are new to a group, find out what volunteer activities are available to you. Approach the big cheese: the Chairperson, the President, the Director and ask how you can help in the organization. Take on a task or a role that suits you best – one that you are going to enjoy doing and one that you can manage easily. You’ll have a reason to connect with others in the group. You’ll earn respect from the members. And you’ll have a chance to help people get to know you and how you can help them.
Registration desk
At conferences, workshops and events, volunteer to work the registration desk. It’s the place to be if you want to get to know who’s who. Make sure to introduce yourself to the registrants. It will be much easier to talk with people throughout the event because the introductions have already been done. You’ll even find people approaching you because they already feel like they know you.
Wear a nametag
It will help imprint your name on people’s minds. It will make them feel more comfortable as well. No need to stress out worrying about remembering who you are.
Practice your handshake
You touch people for a living. A wet noodle handshake is not going to inspire trust and confidence in your hands-on skills. I’ve had some of the worst, wimpiest, unfriendly handshakes from Reflexologists. Shake with conviction. Give a handshake that says: self-assured, confident, friendly, sincere and maybe even passionate. Practice with friends. Get them to rate you from one to ten. Seriously!
Ask for help
Everybody knows what it’s like to be a newcomer – a stranger in a strange land. So ask for help. Call someone from the organization or event and ask for a favor. “I’m new here and would love to meet some of the members, (or participants, attendees, speakers, etc.). Could you do me a favor and introduce me to some of these people? I’d be more than happy to reciprocate the favor.” I can’t imagine anyone snubbing their nose at someone making a sincere request like that. Can you?
Play the role. Live the role
As Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage and we are merely actors on it.” (Or something like that!) If you can’t be friendly and personable, then act like you are. “Rubbish,” you say. “That’s so fake.” But it’s in you somewhere. I know it is. Your warmth and personality just needs a little coaxing to come out. Start the act and before long you’ll be living the role.
The 10-second introduction
Not sure what to say. Then create a short script. Write it out and practice if you need to. Make it short – 10 seconds is plenty. Describe what you do and the kinds of problems you help people with. Attach an open-ended question to your introduction to get the other person engaged and talking.
To be interesting, be interested
There’s one thing that people like talking about more than anything in the world: Themselves. If you want to be interesting to people at the event, then start by being interested in them first. What are some of the things that you would really like to know about people at the event? Write out a number of questions that you would like answers to. Make it your mission to find out the answers to those questions from as many people in the room as possible.
These are all simple strategies, but with a little practice they can help turn a networking event from a fear-inducing experience to a fun-filled adventure.
Okay. Maybe “fun-filled escapade” is a little bit of an exaggeration, but at least the experience can be a pleasant and enjoyable one that connects you to the people who you want to meet.
Leave a Reply