How to Network and Stay Sane

QUICK POLL: How do you feel about networking? (in person events, etc)

My Facebook friends have very strong feelings about this topic. Here's the summary:  

  • Feels like speed dating.
  • Terrible. I feel anxious every time.
  • Live for it!!
  • Awful, and not useful.
  • I've gotten most (if not all) of my jobs from my connections and networking.
  • Panic.
  • I enjoy it.
  • Gross. ESPECIALLY as an actor.
  • If we called it just meeting people I think I'd prefer it better.
  • Is this still a thing?
  • Sooooo much better and more effective than sending emails.
  • Death by small talk...
  • I hate this awkward pretense of "selling" myself. Can we just talk like people?
  • I've always been a huge advocate of CONNECTING but not NETWORKING. 

 

I want it to feel like this.

I want it to feel like this.

How do I feel about networking?

I'm an improviser, storyteller, facilitator, teacher, which means I'm on a stage and in front of audiences all the time. Guess what? I still hate networking! Those awkward, unstructured events make my introvert side (I'm 50% intro/50% extro) swell into 100% "GET ME OUTTA HERE".

Also - business cards! What to do with them? After I connect with the person on LinkedIn I recycle them. Sorry people but that's the truth. (I miss the Bump app).

But I do like interesting, smart humans and if I just shift how I think about networking...It is about making connections with new people. 

 

Here are some tips shared from a recent training I led with Shana Dressler for emerging designers from the Netherlands. 

HOW TO NETWORK IN THE U.S (with a New York City bias)

  1. Know yourself - Practice your elevator pitch. (Make it a one liner and make me care)
  2. Know who’s in the room. (Research!).
  3. Know what you want from who’s in the room / the event. (Prep!)
  4. Be bold. As soon as you make contact introduce yourself. (Force yourself through the awkwardness!)
  5. Ask specific questions.
  6. Listen more than you talk.
  7. If someone is not giving you attention or interest - politely excuse yourself. (Don't waste your time, you've got at Netflix show to catch up on after).
  8. Take notes and follow up. (Not with everyone, only those people who you can learn from!) 

Go forth and prosper. 

Do you have other tips? Please share...

BlogLisa Pertosonetworking, people, connect, business, work, career, trainingComment