Most people find it difficult to enter a room full of strangers and start a conversation. However, as professionals or businessmen, on many occasions we have to attend events such as cocktails or networking meetings to expand our contact networks and look for possible strategic alliances.
I will share several tricks with you so that you can feel comfortable entering a room and make a good impression from the beginning. By following these simple tips we can enjoy these events in which we can find very interesting people.
Tip No. 1. It is normal to feel nervous
Keep in mind that almost 99% of the other attendees are in the same situation as us, they also feel somewhat uncomfortable at first not knowing anyone. From childhood we were taught not to talk to strangers but as adults we have to be able to get out of our comfort zone and expand our circle of acquaintances.
The first step is to think about what we have in common with the people who have attended the event. If it is a congress, we are there because we are interested in the theme or the speakers, so we already have some possible topics to discuss during the coffee break or during lunch. In the same way if we are at a wedding, or we are invited by the groom or the bride, so we can talk about the relationship that unites us with the bride and groom or the details of the ceremony or celebration. When we look at others thinking that we have something in common with them, we stop considering them strangers.
Tip nº 2. Prepare your attendance to the event
If you go to the networking meeting without having previously thought about the reasons to attend, you may be so nervous and scared that you end up hiding in a corner and miss the opportunities to meet new people. Therefore it is important to make a list of the benefits that you hope to achieve both personally and professionally with your attendance at the event.
Also, you must think positive, imagine that you are going to enjoy conversations with other people and that you are going to meet interesting people.
It never hurts to look for various current topics both business and sports or the news that can help us start the conversation with strangers.
One of the most common mistakes is forgetting business cards or not carrying enough. So carry enough business cards as well as some blank cards of the same size to offer them to the person you are talking to if they forgot to bring their cards.
To avoid always staying with the people you already know, set yourself the goal of meeting 3 to 5 people.
Tip # 3: Eat before going to the networking event
It is important that we have already eaten before attending a networking meeting. In this way we will be more focused on meeting new people and having interesting conversations than on taking a new piece of cake or omelette.
Some shy people end up spending all their time glued to the buffet table, which represents a waste of time since we do not take the opportunity to expand our circle of acquaintances.
To develop a business or any other organization we need the support of other people in our community. Networking meetings represent an excellent way to meet new people and find potential suppliers, clients or who recommend us to others. Follow our tips to attend all kinds of social events without stress.
