How to Never Go to a Bad Networking Event Again

Posted on July 1st, 2010 by Keith Ferrazzi

When you are trapped at an event where people are milling around, acting formal and sterile and unwilling to open up to genuine relationship building, scrap any negative reaction ("I shoulda stayed home") and instead anoint yourself as the event's host, even if only in your own head.

Imagining that it is your role to help other guests break through gives you permission to act a little bit differently - you're acting in service of the entire event to make sure everyone has a good time.  Assume an aura of relaxed self-assurance while you make sure everyone has a drink and someone to talk to.  Find out what they're looking to do and who they're looking to meet and make introductions.  Start conversations.

Even if it is not in your basic DNA to be the life of the party, appointing yourself to the “job” of making sure that the event is a success can be the kick in the pants you need to inject some energy into a failing function. Whether or not you're able to transform the event, you'll certainly transform your own experience of it.

How have you transformed a bad networking event?

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6 comments // In Business Networking
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6 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Keith- This is great advice. Too often people just complain about events. Be the solution, not the problem! I believe there are few bad networking events, just people with bad attitudes about the events they attend. You point of taking charge and engaging others in better discussion goes beyond networking events.... it works everywhere you go. I find that you never know where you might meet someone who becomes a client, referral source or just a good friend. Get over pre-judging the event and take advantage of being in the presence of other people who might the the diamond in the rough with whom you could develop a long-term mutually beneficial relationship.

    thom singer

  2. Keith - thanks for the invite to comment. I love your attitude.

    When I go to an event, I look for the person sitting alone. This person is usually new or shy and just needs a lift.

    I make a bee line there and before long I have made a new friend. I feel great to have helped someone and this person feels great because someone took an interest in them.

    This sure beats going to an event to sit with the same old friends - unless of course this is the intent.

    And you Keith, have become a person I can now call friend - thanks for the RT of my article on introductions - it seems a lot of your followers have also done a RT because you did it first!!! Heshie

  3. Well done Keith. There are no bad networking events and bad networkers can get good with practice and tips like this!

    @jasoncobine

  4. Keith, I couldn't agree more. A bit over a year ago, I wrote Ten Rules of Networking http://bit.ly/9uBGQ and made a few of the same points. The one I try to live by: Never "network" to meet people. Network to help people.

    @matthomann

  5. A great deal more consumers ought to understand what this is and exactly how it can benefit, I thoroughly enjoyed your posting and I really hope that others did aswell. BTW I hope you don't my if I link this to my site, becuase i know my readers would need this, Thanks. Thanks

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