The pandemic has compelled us to go online in recent years. We could only conduct business online since physical meetings were not permitted. Some of us found it unbearable, while others benefited, making most of whatever was available in the form of a company.
We are progressively being asked to leave the safety of our virtual world and speak with actual words rather than emojis and GIFs now that things are more-or-less under control once again. So we can understand how some people would find that adjustment challenging.
Walking up to strangers can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. But with some practice and a few tips, you could meet new friends at every turn.
Learn the Three W's (Why, Where, and When) of talking.
The Three W's of Talking to Strangers—why, where, and when—help set the stage before delving into the specifics of how to approach someone you don't know.
- Why? Find out why you want to talk to people you don't know.
- Where? Go where people are to talk to them.
- When? Use a stranger's body language to know when to talk to them.
Instead of thinking you need to connect with dozens of people or businesses, focus on connecting with just one. Once you've reached that goal, you might feel more confident to go on and talk to someone else. If you have a list of people who will be there, you can be even more specific about your goal.
Gain Connection Early
If you're shy or quiet, the best time to show up at an event is at the start. Fewer people are in the room during the pre-event period, so you can speak without being interrupted. Also, as the room fills up, everyone is looking for someone to talk to.
When you make one great connection early on in the night, you'll gain confidence and meet more new people as the night progresses.
Icebreakers! Pick Yours
Having a few icebreaker questions or topics ready can help you feel more comfortable when talking to someone for the first time.
Among these topics are how they heard about the event, how long they've been with the organization, what they enjoy doing around town with their family, or what's exciting for them in the future.
Try to engage in a natural conversation with your conversation partner instead of focusing solely on their work. Doing so leaves a lasting impression, learns what makes the person tick, and gets to know them better.
Here are a few examples of icebreakers:
1. How many countries have you visited?
2. What would be your dream place to live if you had the choice?
3. Do you have a favorite TV show?
Make A List
Make a list of questions you can always ask to get you through the first few minutes of the meeting. No one in the world doesn't like talking about themselves.
Find out what brand they work on, and tell them what you know about their company. Then, tell them why you like their product if you use it. This gives people a chance to tell stories, which is a great way to find things they have in common.
Keep It Going
The best way to build a long-lasting relationship is to become a mentor or mentee. The benefits of mentoring in business are many, including avoiding too much formality in the relationship. In addition, you can be honest with the other people involved by revealing your flaws and goals.
The fear of not knowing what to expect makes some people afraid to seek advice or assistance from others. Mentoring also helps you to understand the next generation better. The importance of building strong relationships below you is just as great as it is for those above you. In your role as a mentee, you will benefit from the advice and objective viewpoint of someone you trust and respect.
Closing Thoughts
There's no doubt that a strong network can help your business, and it works both ways. So, if you're stuck, look for ways you can help your peers. With that simple action, you're already social networking in the best way possible.
Do you feel better prepared to network now that you have the tips? What is one tip you can easily implement from this article? Let us know in the comments below.
