Don’t Just Introduce Yourself and Walk Away. Just like any networking event you’ve been to in person, there are pretty much two types of people. The ones who are there to shake as many hands as possible (the “card hunters”), and those that are there to have a meaningful dialogue with a handful of new people (the “conversation gatherers”). Socially speaking, the meaningful conversations are what build rapport and foster relationships.
Don’t Just Introduce Yourself and Walk Away. Just like any networking event you’ve been to in person, there are pretty much two types of people. The ones who are there to shake as many hands as possible (the “card hunters”), and those that are there to have a meaningful dialogue with a handful of new people (the “conversation gatherers”). Socially speaking, the meaningful conversations are what build rapport and foster relationships.
2) Let the Ice Melt. Downing your drink just leaves you with an empty glass, a cold hand and brain freeze. In other words, a quick social conversation won’t get you very far, so enjoy the process of getting to know someone. Sit back and sip that drink. Let the ice melt until it breaks. Perhaps you’ll find something in common with a new connection that you might have missed moving on. In social, the bar is always open… what’s your hurry?
2) Let the Ice Melt. Downing your drink just leaves you with an empty glass, a cold hand and brain freeze. In other words, a quick social conversation won’t get you very far, so enjoy the process of getting to know someone. Sit back and sip that drink. Let the ice melt until it breaks. Perhaps you’ll find something in common with a new connection that you might have missed moving on. In social, the bar is always open… what’s your hurry?
3) Know Who Will Be at the Party. It’s always nice to know who you might meet ahead of time so you can better prepare. One of the very best inventions in social (and, according to The American Dialect Society via Mashable, the “2012 word of the year”) is the hashtag. Following hashtags lets you sort your conversations by relevance, so you know who is driving the topic, who will be there and what the buzz is well before the party. When you get involved ahead of time, you can jumpstart relationships online that, if you’re lucky enough to connect in person, are that much more fulfilling. (This is critical for me before conferences and events, and has personally created some of the most flourishing relationships of my life).
3) Know Who Will Be at the Party. It’s always nice to know who you might meet ahead of time so you can better prepare. One of the very best inventions in social (and, according to The American Dialect Society via Mashable, the “2012 word of the year”) is the hashtag. Following hashtags lets you sort your conversations by relevance, so you know who is driving the topic, who will be there and what the buzz is well before the party. When you get involved ahead of time, you can jumpstart relationships online that, if you’re lucky enough to connect in person, are that much more fulfilling. (This is critical for me before conferences and events, and has personally created some of the most flourishing relationships of my life).
5) Be First to Call. Just like in dating, there can be that “Call Me!” dance after you meet someone new via social. My advice? Don’t wait for them to call. Visit them and let them know you’re there – I promise it won’t make them think you’re desperate. Social is about sharing great information, and letting others know when you like something they’ve shared with you. Maybe something great was said that you want to follow up on and ask a question about. For me, my favorite thing in the morning right after I wake up is to see that someone took the time to ask a question, send me a thought, or simply retweet something I shared. It feels good, and I try to do the same for others. Remember, don’t stop at just meeting at the cocktail party; it’s the conversation that comes afterwards that’s where the magic happens!
5) Be First to Call. Just like in dating, there can be that “Call Me!” dance after you meet someone new via social. My advice? Don’t wait for them to call. Visit them and let them know you’re there – I promise it won’t make them think you’re desperate. Social is about sharing great information, and letting others know when you like something they’ve shared with you. Maybe something great was said that you want to follow up on and ask a question about. For me, my favorite thing in the morning right after I wake up is to see that someone took the time to ask a question, send me a thought, or simply retweet something I shared. It feels good, and I try to do the same for others. Remember, don’t stop at just meeting at the cocktail party; it’s the conversation that comes afterwards that’s where the magic happens!