10 Tips to Successful & Enjoyable Holiday Party Networking
Conquer any holiday party or social setting where you want to make a few new acquaintances with the following 10 tips.
By: rocket50 Staff
Date: November 29, 2023
1. 1st stop should be the bar or where the drinks are served. Why? Because it’s the most social place to meet people, you’re there for the same reason so it’s easy to spark conversation, and people will break away from other groups to get a drink. Your drink doesn't have to be alcoholic, but having a drink in hand instantly suggests that you are there to stay and mingle.
2. Have 3 go-to topics to fall back on. Choose three topics that are timely, relevant, and which you know something about. For example, shows trending on TV are often a good topic, if you’ve seen some of them, such as Better Call Saul or Ted Lasso, (see Emmy nominations here). Or recent movie hits … which are Oscar-worthy? This year, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Maestro, or Air might be worth brushing up on. (Check out Variety Magazine’s predictions here). Architecture can be a great and easy topic too - everyone can relate to the architecture of the building, the view and surroundings, the room, or interior decor.
3. Be bold. “Hi. I’m Kate” in a cheerful, confident tone is all it takes. While it sounds basic, it’s the best way to meet someone. And, without that, you might miss out on meeting many would-be connections. So many people wait to be introduced by others when it’s not necessary. Of course, if you’re the host, it’s your job to ensure that people know other's names as soon as possible to get conversations rolling.
4. Hold your handbag or drink in your left hand. That way you’re always ready to shake another hand and welcome a new connection.
5. Leave your phone in your pocket or purse. If you glue your eyes to your phone, you instantly communicate “Leave me alone”. You need to seem approachable. Phones don’t help.
6. Smile. A smile communicates warmth and openness - it’s a universal symbol of friendliness. Don’t leave your smile and charm at home.
7. Offer compliments. If you see something you like, extend a compliment! So you don’t come across as disingenuous, offer the compliment early during your conversation. One note of caution: do not comment on other’s marital or religious jewelry.
8. Ask questions and keep them open-ended. When we’re nervous, it’s easy to babble on about ourselves. A good conversation is a two-way street. And, to keep a conversation moving, ask open-ended questions so people can’t answer with a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, stalling out the conversation. Try asking people about their weekend plans, their most recent or favorite vacation, or you can ask how they know your host.
9. Steer clear of sensitive topics. Sometimes we ask questions that seem innocuous enough, only to discover we’ve tripped over someone else’s private pain, like a divorce, or the death of a child. Simply avoid the following topics: marital status, children (until there’s an obvious entre’), religion, politics, sex, vices, illness, money, or where one shops.
10. Relax, Have Fun, & Learn Something New.