web counter

February 29, 2008

How to Network at a Social Media Breakfast

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:56 am

My Name Is Liz Strauss

relationships button

In a few minutes, I’ll be leaving to attend Jeff Pulver’s Chicago Social Media Breakfast. If you haven’t heard, Jeff is going around the US meeting folks from the world of Tech and Blogging. He came to Chicago for this event. Bloggers are gathering to me him and each other. Yeah!

As the host, Jeff has invented a way for his guests who just met to find it easier to talk to each other. Take minute to watch him talk about his “Social Networking Toolkit.”

I’m having a few thoughts about how I might make those two hours successful. Here are my tips for anyone who might be doing the same in the near future.

  • Dress comfortably. In clothes that make you feel good about who you are. It’s no fun to meet people feeling like you are really who you are.
  • Keep your goal for attending realistic and low stress. I want to meet new people and find out what they do.
  • Know that even though the other folks there might be looking at you. They could be thinking about you looking at them. Smile as if we’re all in on the secret. Break the ice for them by making yourself approachable, most will be grateful.
  • Have a question ready for that moment when the air seems call for a conversation to start between you and another person. Mine is “What do you do when you’re not doing this?”
  • When someone asks a question that leaves you feeling self-conscious or without an answer say so. . . . “I make everyone at these events so important. It throws me a bit. Could you hold on while I recover my ability to think? . . . Often just saying so gets past the feeling and moves me on to the next part of the conversation.
  • If you make everyone else the center of the universe, it’s hard to feel self-conscious or under a microscope. Get curious and see how many people you can get to tell you about themselves. Ask broad questions such as how they got where they are, what they wonder, or how they’d rewrite a recent industry event if they could.

I remember a friend who, when she and her husband started a new business, they made a contest to see who might get the most rejections from sales calls. I’ve made a contest for myself. I’m going to see how many folks I might get to talk to me when I go there.

What advice can you add for networking newbies about to attend their first networking breakfast?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Tags: , , ,

Share This


Filed under Community, Successful Blog |



C'mon. Let's talk!

8 Comments to “How to Network at a Social Media Breakfast”

  1. February 29th, 2008 at 7:42 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    Good points all, Liz. Being naturally shy, group interaction is something I’ve always had trouble with. But I try to practice this timeless bit of advice, given me years ago: Stick my hand out to anyone within 3 feet of me, smile, and say “Howdy!”

  2. February 29th, 2008 at 11:29 am
    Chris Cree said

    Great tips, Liz. So many of us who are so good at networking online are shy and uncomfortable networking in person.

    It really can help take some of that pressure off to have a plan going in.

    “Howdy, Robert!”

  3. February 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
    Robert Hruzek said

    (Sticking hand out) Howdy, Chris! And, may I add, “Long time no see!”

  4. February 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
    Mother Earth said

    curious how the breakfast was for you…sounded like a great event. A tip someone shared with me that fits my style is to pretend it’s your gig - for example: when I attend an art fair - I go to each and every artist to see if they need anything, ask them how the show is going for them, is it their first time there, or if I could give them a break in their booth etc - It makes the whole thing feel less snoody for me, gives me a chance to meet the artist upfront and personal and I don’t have to fret that I can’t personally purchase anything!!

  5. February 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Robert!
    I know what you’re saying. It was nice that I could help Jeff a bit and feel like part of the scenery rather than a guest. :)

  6. February 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yeah Chris!
    Jeff’s personal networking toolkit and his personal warmth make his events especially easy for folks like us to join it. :)

    Still, as you said, having a plan sure helps!

  7. February 29th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Mother Earth!
    Looking to help others feel comfortable is a great way to get comfortable ourselves. You’re a master of making folks feel fine. :)

  8. March 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
    Sunday Brunch - March 2, 2008 | Words of a Broken Mirror said

    […] of Successful Blog wrote a great piece on how to network at a social media breakfast. I’d say her tips apply to any networking event if your goal is to build great […]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!