Episode 48: Holiday Networking

Karen loads this 10-minute episode with various useful tips and tricks on how to effectively network during this holiday season. It can be overwhelming if you are not an outgoing person but luckily she breaks it down step by step and provides a way to avoid the anxiety and stress that is normally paired with socializing. 

Throughout the holiday season, you are sure to find yourself at such an event. Whether it be an office party, CD release, or intimate event there are three points Karen never forgets. 

1. Learn People's names
2. Have a Game Plan
3. Let People Talk About Themselves

These may seem like simple points to remember, but they are truly crucial to successfully attending a social networking event. First off, simply learn the names of people you are talking to. Karen gives credit to her husband Nick for this point. It may be hard to truly memorize names but it shows that you are attentive and invested in the conversation. The conversation will become more fluid and intimate if you show the person you are talking to that you are truly listening. Karen loves the quote, “The most beautiful sound that all of us have heard is simply our names.”

This will drop walls that people have and allow them to feel more comfortable in opening up to you about far more than just service level content. While it is a difficult task at larger events it should become a priority of yours. It does get easier as you practice and eventually it will become a habit that others will soon try to adopt. It will not only help you hone in on the current conversation but it will also create a relationship between you and a possible client. 

Next, is to have a game plan. By this, Karen does not necessarily mean to have a mapped out detailed plan of your night. She means to have an idea of what your role or place is at the party. Are you going to meet new friends, are you going to recruit ambassadors, or are you going to reach new clients? Despite the type of event, it is a good idea to determine your purpose for networking before you walk in the door. 

At any event, it can be overwhelming to walk into a room of unknown faces. If you are prone to social anxiety, it is also a good idea to have a plan before you walk in. Will you greet the host first? Maybe say hello to a friend? Whatever it is you can find a way to cope with your anxiety. Find a smell in the room right when you walk in and fixate on it. You can even play iSpy by yourself in your head to distract yourself from feeling anxious. It is not crazy to have a game pl

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