5 Tips for Better Social Networking

If the idea of chatting up a room full of strangers sends dread running through you, you’re not alone. Such anxiety is nearly as common as the fear of public speaking or flying.

On the flip side, networking can have huge benefits for your company and career. The surprise may be that despite what you think, networking at events doesn’t have to be painful. If you go armed with the right mindset and a few helpful tips, you might even have an enjoyable time.

With Venture Atlanta taking place later this month, it seems like a good time to offer some networking best practices. As you may already know, Venture Atlanta is the Southeast’s largest conference for investors and tech entrepreneurs, so there’s plenty of opportunity to make contacts.

Follow these tips for getting the most out of Venture Atlanta and other networking events:

1. Don’t try to tackle the whole room at once. There’s an adage that advises to “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” This is especially true when you’re facing a large room filled with throngs of unfamiliar people. Feeling like you need to glad-hand everyone there only raises your pulse and fear of failure. Instead, set a goal of meeting a smaller number of people. Setting out to talk to five people or even just one specific person, for instance, makes the prospect of networking less overwhelming.

2. Be more interested in hearing their story than telling yours. Quality networking isn’t like speed dating. There’s no need to blurt out your elevator statement or business pitch, then quickly move on to the next person. In fact, doing so can skew the potential for a future relationship. Instead, focus on being personable and showing an interest in what the other person has to say. If your encounter with them sticks, there will be other opportunities to tell your story, maybe at another get-together down the road. Don’t treat your first meeting as the entire relationship—look at it as just the beginning.

3. Give them something to remember you by. When I attend events, I hand out small carabiners printed with our agency name. They’re fun and easy to tuck away, and I’ve probably given out a 1,000 of them over the 15 years Carabiner Communications has been in business. But tangible items aren’t the only way to make an impression—an interesting story or fact can do the trick. For example, although I deliberately lost my accent years ago, I often break the ice by revealing that I’m from Manchester, England. That’s something people tend to remember.

Also, while many no longer carry them, business cards are still useful for networking events. If your company no longer prints business cards en masse, here’s PC Magazine’s list of the best online business card printing services that can get you cards in a jiffy.

4. Help others out. Chances are you’re not the only one feeling awkward at networking events. If you meet someone, introduce them to someone else in the room that you’ve just met or may already know, especially if that person could be an asset to them in some way. They’ll value the introduction and remember you for it. Also, look for the wallflowers, those people standing with their backs to the wall on the crowd’s periphery. Approach them with a smile and a handshake, and they’ll likely be eager to talk instead of standing alone.

5. Don’t depend on coincidence. Prearrange meetings when possible. There may be someone at the event you really want to meet. Or, you’ve met them before but want to reconnect. Instead of just hoping to run into them, contact them beforehand and ask for a few minutes to chat. If that’s too bold for you, consider arriving early to keep an eye out for them, then make a point of bumping into them or choosing a chair near theirs.

Networking can be intimidating for a lot of us, so do what you can to reduce the pressure and increase your chance of making successful connections. Hope to see you at Venture Atlanta!