Two people walk through how to actually work a networking event: what to say when you meet someone, how to hand off a business card without it feeling weird, and what to do the next day so people remember you.
So when you meet somebody new, assignment number one, find something genuinely nice to, to like about them. Their tie, their glasses. You wear like the funniest tie that you can. Okay. I don't know if you got a Christmas tie, but, you know, find something to truly like about them. And if you can't, because like, all the auditors are going to look the same. If you can't, then talk about sports, okay? The idea is to make them feel like they are the most important person in the room and it's not about you. Actually. Do not volunteer any information about you until they ask. Find something really genuine to like about them. You can talk about sports, okay? And then your mission is to find out something about them through an array of questions so that you could latch on to that one thing and then kind of volunteer something about yourself. Your mission is to make five new best friends. Call them up after the holiday party and go out for a beer with them.
How do you like, get their numbers and stuff? I mean, that's the other thing. Should I bring. My business cards are old.
Fantastic. Bring that card. Your name is on there. Cross out the old phone number and email. Put in your personal email and your personal phone number so you have something to give them. Let's say you get 10 business cards. You'll reach out to every single one of those people and set up either a discovery call with them to get to know them better, or you'll ask them out for a coffee or a beer. Your mission is for people to like you. If people like you, they will go to their boss and say, listen, I met this guy. He is amazing. You know, we have the project manager role. It's not really perfect for him. But you know what, let's, let's give it to him. This is how things are done. I've seen it a million times. You're not there to look for a job tonight. You're there to make ten new best friends. Because if people like you, they will go out of their way for you. If people are okay with you or they're like bored with your military stories, they're not going to do anything for you. Okay? The idea is to just sprinkle a little bit tonight so that you get their business card. They kind of see that you're a nice guy and you will get their contact information. You will reach out on LinkedIn. Do not hoard conversations. Do not speak to one person for 45 minutes. This is a mingling thing. And if they too long winded and they don't even ask you about you. So you're gonna see it's a one way street with them. You're gonna say, oh, I just saw somebody I know. I have to excuse myself. It was really nice to meet you. And that's it.
You did make a difference in my life, let me tell you. I've been. I've been swinging at this now, now for nearly three years. Nothing seemed to work.
Listen.
Yeah. No. I always say you got to keep swinging at the ball. You're not going to hit and you're not going to get a hit if you don't swing correct.
