Conference Networking Tips

First impressions matter. Starting with your introduction. I’ve seen too many people wing their introductions. Big mistake. Top 1% communicators never underestimate first impressions. They know how to become instantly memorable. When I work with my CEO coaching clients, I ensure they stand out. You can steal my method: Record yourself introducing yourself in 30 seconds. Then ask: Would you be interested in meeting this person? Would you remember them a day later? If not: Rewrite. Rehearse. Refine. Use these 7 strategies to ace your next intro: 1 - The Networking Pitch - Daniel Priestley 🟢 Name Say it slowly. Own the moment. Smile. 🟢 Same Say what you do in familiar terms. 🟢 Fame Share a line of credibility. 🟢 Aim What are you focused on right now? 🟢 Game End with your bigger vision. 2 - Nail Your Non-Verbal → Real smile (no fake smiles) → Stand tall, shoulders back, face them directly → Avoid awkwardness: signal handshake, hug, or wave 3 - The 5-Second Intro Practice this all-purpose 3-step formula: Who you are → What you do → Who it helps 4 - Use Micro-Stories Instead of listing titles or credentials, embed a 1-sentence story: “I used to write speeches for government leaders. Now I coach founders on how to own the room.” 5 - Show Your Energy, Not Just Expertise Most introductions are soulless and bloodless. But energy is magnetic. 6 - Tailor Your Intro To The Room: 💼 Boardroom: Lead with credibility and clarity. 🎤 Stage: Start with a story or question. ☕ Networking: Keep it casual and curiosity-driven. 7 - Avoid These Mistakes 🚅 Saying your name too fast. 🥱 Being forgettable: “I’m in communications” 🪽 Winging it – first impressions matter! What do you pay attention to when you introduce yourself? - - - - ♻️ Repost to help others, too. And follow Oliver Aust for more on leadership communications. ♟️ Want to become a top 1% communicator? Reach out here: https://lnkd.in/dc-TBhZU

Behind every opportunity is a relationship, and behind every relationship is a conversation. Networking is about building real connections that last and have the potential to help you find your next opportunity. Data shared by the University of Maryland’s Department of Economics indicates you won’t find 70% of available jobs on any site that posts open positions. Those positions are usually found on a company’s internal network, often by referral. In other words, relationships can make the difference between finding a job or not. That’s no surprise to me. Throughout my journey, from engineer to investor, relationships have been a constant driver of growth. Mentors, colleagues and peers have not only opened doors, but also challenged my thinking, sharpened my skills and inspired my vision. Here’s what I have learned: - Be curious: Ask questions that show you care about people’s stories. - Be intentional: Connect with purpose, not just for your own gain. - Be consistent: Follow up, follow through and add value where you can. Networking isn’t a one-time event. It requires maintaining ongoing relationships rooted in trust and genuine interest in other people’s lives. Whether you’re just starting out on your professional journey or deep into your field, relationships are what power careers.

Whenever I go to a networking event, I walk in as a CAT. Meow Just kidding. CAT is a three-part framework that finally made networking feel like something I could actually enjoy—instead of something I had to survive. It’s how I’ve landed invitations, intros, and opportunities, without ever delivering a “pitch.” 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬: C - Curiosity Don’t walk in trying to sell. Walk in wanting to learn. When you’re genuinely curious, people can tell. Your questions get sharper. The conversation gets real. Suddenly, they’re opening up and you’re both actually interested, instead of just circling the same old small talk. Ask stuff like, “What made you choose this path?” and see how much more you get than ten minutes of polite nodding. Bonus side effect of being curious? No anxiety. Curiosity kicks self-consciousness out the door. It’s Win Win. A - Add Offer something useful, expect nothing back. Most people try to get noticed by talking about themselves—flip that. Leave them better than you found them. Maybe you share a contact. Maybe you offer a resource based on something they casually mentioned. Maybe you say, “I know someone who solved that exact thing, want me to connect you?” It’s rare, and people remember it. Generosity that isn’t transactional is magnetic. T - Timing Leave a breadcrumb for next time. Most “let’s stay in touch” promises fade out because there’s nothing to anchor them. So end the conversation with a time cue: “Let’s catch up after your launch, I want the inside scoop.” “Tell me how the team offsite goes when we reconnect.” Now the follow-up feels natural, not forced. And you show you were actually paying attention, which—let’s be honest—most people aren’t. So that’s CAT. Curiosity + Add + Timing. It’s how I network without feeling like a salesperson. Try it at your next event, and let me know if it works for you. Follow Aaina for more such posts! #networking #collaboration #events #branding #strategy #mindset

The Introvert's Survival Guide to Actually Enjoying (or at least surviving) Networking Events. I avoid networking events like they're tax audits or root canals. But sometimes you have to show up. (By have to, I mean, your business kind of depends on it.) Here's my "battle-tested" playbook for introverts who'd rather be home cleaning the litter box: Pre-Game Like an Athlete (or a Coward) • Set a timer for 47 minutes Not 45. Not an hour. 47. It's specific enough that you'll honor it. • Create your "Clark Kent Exit Strategy" Park near the exit. Know where the bathrooms are. Have a fake emergency ready. • Arrive unfashionably on-time Not early (too much small talk). Not late (everyone stares). Exactly on time when everyone's distracted. The Art of Strategic Positioning • Become furniture Find a high-top table. Claim it. Let extroverts come to you (they need a place to rest their drinks). • Master "Documentary Mode" Don't network. Observe. You're David Attenborough studying extroverts in their natural habitat. • Power Pose Like a Pro Stand near the food. Everyone comes to you. Plus, mouth full = legitimate reason not to talk. Conversation Hacks for the Socially Exhausted • The "Reverse Interview" Ask them 3 questions. They'll talk for 20 minutes. You nod. They think you're brilliant. "What are you most excited about doing this weekend?" • Deploy the "Introvert Card" "I'm actually an introvert, so this is my Olympics." Be transparently vulnerable. They laugh. Pressure's off. • The "Teaching Pivot" Turn every conversation into a mini-lesson. You're not networking, you're educating. Advanced Introvert Techniques • The "Phone Prop" Hold your phone like you're about to make a call. You look busy but approachable. Or, have a drink in your hand so they have something to do. • Find Another Introvert We can smell our own. Make eye contact with the person hiding by the plants. Form an alliance. You will both be relieved. • The "One Real Conversation" Rule Forget collecting 20 contacts. Have one meaningful conversation. Quality > quantity. The Grand Escape • The Irish Goodbye Just leave. Don't announce it. Disappear like Bruce Wayne. They'll think you're mysterious, not rude. • Leave on a High Had one good conversation? That's enough. You've won. Go home. • Recovery Protocol Schedule nothing for the next day. You've earned 24 hours of silence. Most "successful networkers" are performing too. They're just better actors. Not convinced? There's an alternative. I've built more meaningful connections through content than 1,000 networking events combined. Let people come to you through your content. Like they're doing right now. Who else is team "I'd rather create content than attend another networking mixer"? Drop a like if you've ever hidden in a bathroom stall to recharge. P.S. - My record for "shortest networking event attendance" is 3 minutes. Beat that. P.P.S. - Yes, I once brought a book to a networking event. No, I'm not sorry.

If networking makes you anxious, here’s one of my favorite confidence shortcuts: Confidence comes from purpose. When I used to go to big conferences, the breaks were the hardest part. Everyone wandering around, trying to figure out who to talk to… and I’d freeze. So I gave myself a simple purpose: Get in line. Any line. I’d stand in the longest Starbucks line, grab a tiny coffee, then get in another line for a snack, then another line for a treat. Every time I stood in line I talked to the person ahead of me or behind me (whichever one seemed less interested in their phones). And it worked. I ended up meeting dozens of people this way. Lines give you a gentle, built-in way to talk to people without the pressure of walking up cold. I’d say something simple, “Learn anything cool at this conference so far?” This worked super well for quickly getting to do a chemistry check with someone. If it worked, we would sit down together or take a walk. If not, we wished each other well. But the real magic trick is this: After you get your coffee or snack, stand near the spot where people step out of the line. That moment when someone turns back toward the room — drink in hand, scanning for who to talk to — that’s your opening. You can make it super easy and warm: • “Love that coffee. Is it good?” • “What brings you here today?” • “Such a fun event, right?” They’re relieved someone spoke first. You’re relieved you had a purpose. And the conversation flows naturally. It becomes a win-win. Networking doesn’t have to feel scary. It just needs purpose. At your next event: • Find a line • Chat with the people around you • Say hello to the person who steps out next It’s one of the easiest ways to have great conversations without forcing a single moment.

𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠? We all know that networking is key to career growth. But let’s be real—some people treat it like a transactional game rather than building meaningful relationships. When I first started networking, I thought it was all about connecting with big names and sending cold DMs. Turns out, that’s not how real relationships are built. Here’s what I’ve learned about networking with integrity and respect: 🔹 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 🚫 We’ve all seen it—someone connects with you today and asks for a favor tomorrow. ✔ Instead, build relationships before you need them. ✔ Offer value before asking for help. ✔ Engage genuinely—not just when you need something. 🔹𝟮. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 🤝 Want someone to remember you? Help them first. ✔ Share an opportunity. ✔ Introduce them to someone useful. ✔ Engage with their work meaningfully. Networking is a two-way street. If you only show up when you need a job or referral, people will notice—and avoid you. 🔹 𝟯. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🎙️ There’s a difference between showcasing your work and shameless bragging. ✔ Focus on sharing insights, not just achievements. ✔ Celebrate others’ success, not just your own. ✔ Be someone people want to associate with. 🔹 𝟰. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 🚦 ✔ Cold messaging? Make it personalized, not copy-paste. ✔ Asking for a coffee chat? Be clear about your intent. ✔ Got a ‘No’ or no response? Move on, don’t chase. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚: 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝. 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨. #Networking #CareerGrowth #BuildingRelationships

3 months. No job. No replies. Just… silence. Every morning, I would tweak my CV. Write a fresh cover letter. Submit another application. Then wait, again. I felt invisible. Like I was shouting into a void. But one day, a friend shared advice I’ll never forget: “Job hunting isn’t just about sending resumes. It’s about starting conversations.” So I stopped applying to job boards only. I started reaching out to real people. Not recruiters. Not HR. Just everyday professionals working in roles I admired. My message was simple: ✨ “I’m exploring opportunities in [industry]. I’d love to hear what you enjoy most about working at [Company].” To my surprise, people replied. They shared tips, tools, referrals, even roles that weren’t publicly listed. One kind connection introduced me to their manager. That conversation turned into an interview. And that interview became an offer. So if you're job hunting right now, please know: You don’t have to do this alone. There are people who want to help. You just have to reach out. Your next opportunity might not be in a job post. It might be in your inbox 📩. 💬 Have you ever landed a job through networking instead of applying? Let’s share and encourage someone else who’s searching today. #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #NetworkingWorks #HiddenJobs #Careers #LinkedInFamily #JobSearchJourney #HumanConnection #BeKind

How could I build a career if I couldn't even handle a "simple" networking event? Twenty years later, I'm CHRO. And I still hate networking events. But I cracked the code. Traditional networking assumes collecting 50 business cards equals success. For introverts? One deep conversation beats 50 shallow hellos. Quality over quantity isn't just our preference. It's our superpower. So I built my own system. ——————————————— → The 100-Point Energy Budget Every event, you start with 100 energy points: • Random small talk: -15 • Meaningful conversation: -5 • Pretending to laugh at bad jokes: -20 • Finding a fellow introvert: +10 • Strategic "email break": +5 Hit 20 points? Leave. That's not quitting. It's resource management. ——————————————— → The 3-Deep Rule While extroverts collect 50 cards, I build 3 real connections. They get names. I get allies. They get LinkedIn adds. I get coffee meetings. They get forgotten. I get remembered. One meaningful conversation > 50 forgettable handshakes. Tell people you're "gathering insights for research." Now it's an interview, not small talk. Arrive 15 minutes early. Quieter room, better conversations. ——————————————— → The Opener That Works "I'm testing a theory that admitting you're an introvert at networking events creates better connections. You're participant seven." People lean in. They want in on your experiment. Ask what matters: "What problem are you tackling right now?" "If you weren't here, what would you rather be doing?" ——————————————— → The Lighthouse Strategy Don't circulate. Plant yourself somewhere visible. Let people come to you. Or volunteer at check-in for 30 minutes. Meet everyone, defined role, then disappear. Set 45-minute alarms. Energy check. Below 5? Bathroom break. ——————————————— → Permission Granted You can officially: • Leave after 52 minutes • Eat lunch alone at conferences • Say "I need to recharge" • Build your network through LinkedIn • Skip events that don't serve you My biggest deals came from 1-on-1 coffees, not cocktail parties. My best hires came from deep conversations, not speed networking. ——————————————— → The Truth Successful introverted executives didn't learn to act like extroverts. They learned to network like strategists. My record? 12-minute holiday party appearance. Two conversations. Both mattered. Still got promoted. Once had my assistant call with an "urgent client matter" 45 minutes into a dinner. The client was my cat. Zero regrets. Your quiet nature isn't a bug — it's an executive feature. Your energy management isn't high maintenance — it's self-leadership. The revolution isn't about becoming louder. It's about quiet leaders writing the rules. From a comfortable distance. Through screens or deep connection. Like the evolved professionals we are. ♻️ Share to save an introvert from networking hell 📩 Get my Networking Energy Toolkit → https://lnkd.in/dfhfHWe5

What if the best networking strategy had nothing to do with “networking” at all? Back in 2014, I started a group called “Delhi Internet Mafia”. To learn from and share insights with founders based out of Delhi. I would cold email founders to show up for the catchup. Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm showed up for one of them. I remember being blown away by his energy, his ambition and his clarity. We stayed in touch. A few years later, Paytm invested in my startup nearbuy. If it weren’t for that group, we may have never raised money from Paytm. 3 ways to build genuine relationships: 1/ Do not try to impress. Be impressed. People can see through your attempts to impress them. But what people can truly be attracted to is your interest in them. Genuine interest. 2/ Engage meaningfully. If engaging offline, ask questions out of pure curiosity. To truly understand. If engaging online, don’t just comment “Great post!” - add insight or ask smart questions. 3/ Give before you ask. That could be sharing feedback on their work, amplifying their content, or connecting them to someone useful. You can never fail with authenticity and trust.

How to network and connect at games events A lot of younger gamers have asked for tips on how to navigate socializing at industry events, although I also believe most of this is generally applicable to any industry or situation. The truth is, the best networkers aren’t focused on networking at all. They’re just great at having genuine, meaningful interactions with others. Here are a few things I’ve learned from the best at it over 25+ years, since my first internship: 1. Relationships are least about talking about business. Unless it’s a specific work discussion, the best relationship-builders spend most of their time telling stories, having fun, and making others feel at ease. Don't make people feel like they are in an interview or a timeshare pitch in what is a social situatiom 2. Make space for the other person. Everyone enjoys talking about themselves at some level. Ask questions, listen, and give them a chance to share too 3. Read the room and recognize different social styles. For example, some senior people just want to relax with existing close friends - not the best time to pitch them or talk shop. Like you, there are many I would die to talk to. But they are human just like you and me and it is kind to give them space - imagine how you would feel if everywhere you went everybody wanted to say the same things to you about how they are such a big fan. And then some are very approachable - it simply varies a lot Also, some folks thrive on high-energy conversations, while some prefer deeper 1:1 discussions. Some people engage more after a few casual interactions, while others are ready to dive into meaningful topics right away. The better you pick up on these cues, the smoother your conversations will be 4. Be prepared for common topics. Expect people to ask what you’re playing, what you think about the industry, or what your company is up to. Have something thoughtful to say so you’re not caught off guard 5. Know your social style too. In large groups, I’m often quieter. I thrive more in 1:1 or small group settings. I think that’s okay - I don’t force myself too far outside my comfort zone 6. Be (appropriately) real. It’s a balance - don’t overshare, but if someone asks how you’re doing and you trust them, be honest. Some of the best connections I’ve made came from having real conversations on shared interests or concerns. 7. Give people your full attention. No looking at your phone, no scanning the room, no appearing distracted. Nothing will happen in the 30 or 60 minutes you’re together that can’t wait. Go device-free and be present - it makes a difference 8. You’re not a robot - be natural. Even with everything above, there’s an approach, not mannered or fake, to doing this well. The goal is to be prepared without sounding canned, to have awareness without being overly calculated, and to engage meaningfully without forcing it. It takes time. 9. Kindness and humility Self-explanatory 10. Total authenticity People can tell