How To Create Networking Opportunities In Small Events

Introvert-friendly networking tip: Start your event connections before the event begins. If walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach flip, here’s a quiet strategy that can make in-person events feel less intimidating, and more intentional: 💡 Connect on LinkedIn before the event. Look up the event page, RSVP list, or hashtag. Identify a few people, maybe a speaker, a fellow guest, or someone you admire. Then send a short, friendly note like: 👉 “Hi [Name], I saw you’re also attending [Event Name] this week. I’d love to connect here and hopefully say hello in person!” I’ve used this approach myself, attending events alone and still managing to create real conversations, on my terms. Why it works: - You walk in with familiar faces instead of total strangers. - You have a built-in conversation starter (no forced small talk). - You control the pace of connection—before, during, and after the event. 💜 And here’s a bonus: If you don’t get to meet them in person, you still have the connection to follow up later with a kind note or reflection on the event. You don’t have to “work the room” to network well. You just have to be intentional. And that’s where introverts shine. Have we met? 👋 Hi, I’m Ana, a career coach and strategist for introverts. If you are a professional who wants to improve your LinkedIn presence and become visible to recruiters without spending hours job searching, then follow along! #NetworkingTips #introverts

A LinkedIn comment made me *really* angry last week. I sat on it for a bit. Waiting for it to just go away. But I'm still angry about it. I shared a story on someone's post about my disdain for the networking experience where people are in clusters and there's no easy way to break in and meet new people. The commenter on my post informed me that my dreams are on the other side of my willingness to be uncomfortable. Look, platitudes are great for inspiration. Not for shaming. If you know me at all, you know that I take risks. I try new things. I get out of my comfort zone quite a lot. But as a person who makes a living helping people connect, I will not accept that it's a requirement to put myself (or others) in an uncomfortable situation in order to meet people. If attendees feel unsupported or even threatened, they're put in a position that creates anxiety, stress, or negative emotions. The conversation in the post was around designing events for connection. Therefore, I think it's right to talk about designing events for connection with activities that encourage growth, exploration, and new experiences in a way that feels challenging but supportive. The event organizers could have: → Had event hosts introducing people to each other → Invited people to post one take-away from the speaker on a communal inspiration board → Created an "Open for Conversation" zone so guests knew which clusters of people were open to welcoming new voices →  Facilitated a moment in the main speaking space that invited guests to introduce themselves to one another before the speaker began →  Hosted the event in a space that was more open for connections (rather than all seated spaces that make it nearly impossible to break into) It doesn't take much to turn a networking reception from an introvert's nightmare to a welcoming space. Need more ideas for your next event? I'm full of them. (And often "full of it," but that's another post.) 😂

At one event, the emcee wrapped the opening session by saying, “You’ve got 45 minutes to network — go!” No prompts. No structure. No plan. The result? A few people started working the room — business cards in hand. Nearly half stayed in conversations with people they already knew. The rest stood awkwardly scanning the room, hoping someone would approach… then excused themselves to “use the bathroom” and slipped outside. That was the day I promised myself I’d never let “networking” be a free-for-all. If it matters to your event, it has to be designed. Here’s how to make networking actually work: * Provide conversation starters and guided activities. * Create more intimate spaces designed for connection. * Recruit and empower super connectors to make introductions with ease. Networking without design isn’t networking — it’s chance. What’s one creative way you’ve seen an event make networking easier?

Events are about connection, but most networking events suck. It's because those connections are left up to chance. Here’s why—and how to fix them. I used to hate networking events, a lot of it was my own mindset. Because I put way too much pressure on myself to “meet the right people.” And when you walk in with that mindset, you’re not building relationships—you’re hunting prospects. People can feel that energy, and it’s not great. Stephanie Menashe, CMP and I were talking about this before an MPI event at Top Golf. She’s in the middle of a career transition and wasn’t sure what to put on her badge: “Independent Event Professional” “Looking for My Next Home” One feels neutral, the other carries judgment. The reality is that everyone in the room is looking for something—a job, a client, an idea, or just good conversation. So how do we make networking events feel less like a sales pitch and more like real connection? Here are three ways to instantly improve any networking event: 1. Rethink the Name Badge Ditch “Name, Title, Company.” Instead, use prompts like: - Ask me about… - I’m looking to connect with… - My big idea is… This simple shift turns badges into conversation starters. The conversation starter was always the part I overthought the most! 2. Create Connection Zones Instead of a bunch of wandering aimless zombies, set up spaces based on interests. - Creative Thinkers - Tech Innovators - Event Strategists When people know where to go, they don’t have to struggle with who to talk to. 3. Facilitate the First Move The hardest part of networking is breaking the ice. So, make it easy. - Have event hosts or “connectors” introduce people - Place conversation starter cards on tables - Start with a short speed-networking session At the end of the day, networking should be about what you can give, not just what you can get. When I started focusing on meeting interesting people—rather than landing my next big deal—these events became a whole lot more fun. -------------------- Hi, I'm Jay Designing experiences for events that drive ROI for our clients. #business #branding #sales #marketing #eventprofs