So, what do you do? How (not) to introduce yourself at networking events
Though I’ve been going to various networking events for years, it took me a long time to perfect my approach to that bewildering opening question: “so, what do you do?”
Somehow, whatever you actually do just doesn’t seem quite enough, when it’s stripped down to a boring old job title.
To someone who has never met you before, your job title will define you instantly. Yet it never tells the whole story. Your job title will hardly ever hint at juicy insider tales begging to be told, it’ll just paint an immediate, identikit picture of a boringly everyday life.
(Especially if you’re wearing sensible shoes, you’re clutching a mug of coffee like your life depended on it, and you’ve already waxed lyrical about the traffic being murder on the way in).
Marketing consultants always recommend coming up with a snappy little pitch you can roll confidently out at these events. “You need your intro to encapsulate who you are, what you do, how you help and who you help,” trills one marketing website.
But these sound polished, unnatural and impersonal, in the way an obviously rehearsed pitch always tends to.
OK, so you might impart some immediate information about yourself. But when you consider how busy most people are, and how a lot of networking events start ridiculously early in the morning (read: pre-9am), it can be hard to muster the energy needed to respond to someone telling you all about how they help people increase the loading speed of their website, because they’ve got a degree in technology, and they realise how important it is for customers to get their information as soon as they decide they want it.
That’s the networking conundrum in a nutshell: all most people want to hear is a clear and easy job title that can be easily responded to with a polite nod.
So with all that acknowledged, how do you introduce yourself at a networking event?
For me, it’s simple. It all depends on the person I’m talking to.
My aim is to find someone who looks friendly, then find out more about them. That’s it.
My part in the conversation will always flow naturally from there, and because I’ve shown an interest in them from the start, they’re usually a bit happier about listening to me rambling on about writing.
Most of the time, anyway. One networker recently fixed me with a bored stare, and an empty-sounding: “there are loads of writers around here…why do you bother?”
Which brings me onto another benefit of my relaxed approach: it’s got the wonderful effect of separating wheat from chaff. I’ve worked hard to build my freelance writing career, so I don’t go networking just to ingratiate myself with other people.
Talking to people at a networking event is like a job interview, in that it’s always a two-way street. I want to find and work with interesting, interested and curious people, or I might as well go back to being employed.
(Actually, that gives me a great idea for an opening pitch…)
Related Articles
How to Tame the Fear That Lurks Behind “I Haven’t Got Time to Write”
Strategies to beat your writing monster into submission
Read moreHow to Write a Killer Speech (for Zoom)
“When the content’s right, the confidence will follow”
Read moreHow Dare They Criticise Me! How To Make Good Use Of Feedback
How not to drown in other people's opinions.
Read moreWhy Should I Write About That, When Others Have Done It Already?
Nobody else can tell a story in quite the same way you can.
Read more
The Persian Flaw (Or, Why We Don’t Have to Be Perfect When We Write)
Don't let spelling and grammar fears stop you from writing.
Read moreWho Do You Want to Be Today?
This is a story about a career transformation. And Take That.
Read moreWant to Write Like A Human? Mine Your Inner Monologue
"You can’t be on somebody’s side, if you don’t know what they think or how they feel".
Read more
How I Got Better At Public Speaking
My journey from terrified mumbler to casual speaker, in easy-to-follow steps.
Read moreHow to Transform Your Blog Into a Book
If you have trouble motivating yourself to write that next blog post, whisper a little reminder: this could be a book one day.
Read more
Does Your Website Need a Copy Refresh? (Mine Did)
Revamping your web copy will give your business the gift of reconnection.
Read moreHow I Rescued My Stalling Novel
Struggling with writing a novel? Find the courage (and the effort!) to really get to know your work.
Read moreHow to Plan Your Career Change CV (Hint: Be Selfish!)
"If you really want to change your career, you have to be determined, and you have to be selfish."
Read moreHow to Write a Review (That's Actually Useful)
Reviews get read, because people assume they might be useful. Don't disappoint them!
Read moreAre you too modest to write a book?
If you've always wanted to write a book, but were put off by the people who already have - help is at hand!
Read moreOK, so you got a six-figure business. That don't impress me much
Where's the value in empty business gurus?
Read more
So, what do you do? How (not) to introduce yourself at networking events
Do you rely on a rehearsed networking pitch?
Read moreSocial media bragging - yay or nay?
How to get away with bragging...without bragging about it.
Read moreThe Art of the Written Compliment
If you're too embarrassed to give (or receive!) compliments, writing it all down can work wonders
Read moreLooking for a way to beat the January blues? Start with a letter
It's Universal Letter Writing Week - how will you celebrate?
Read moreKick-start your writing in 2019 (with a little help from me!)
I’ve gathered together some of my most-read blog posts, tips and tools to help you get writing.
Read moreStuck in a career rut? Get someone else to write your CV – and thrive!
"The right person will help you come across as yourself, but in a prouder, more polished, 'look what I’ve achieved' kind of way"
Read moreBeware of the flowers: why customers don't care about your business
Focus on telling interesting business stories that reflect your ideal customers’ lives back to them.
Read moreLone wolf or team worker - which is best?
How to write interesting content for any business (even yours)
Why storytelling is your secret weapon in business (and how to do it properly)
Learn how to live happily ever after through the power of storytelling
Read moreTry this simple formula to create a killer profile headline!
Headlines are always difficult to write, so here's an easy way to craft something original for your personal and professional profiles.
Read moreWhat do successful entrepreneurs and guests on the Jeremy Kyle Show have in common?
There's a lot of vague career advice out there, so if you're looking for insight that goes beyond "be yourself and follow your passion" you may have to leap before you look!
Read moreHow to beat those pre-presentation jitters
Standing up and presenting to a group of people is something that strikes fear into the hearts of even the most confident people - so if you're an introvert like me, it can really be the stuff of nightmares! Here's how I tackle my nerves head-on, with some careful preparation and relatable content.
Read moreDiscovering your unique writer's voice is easier than you think
You don't have to be a professional writer to discover a unique writing voice that speaks to its readers. Finding your own voice is often easier than you might think, and it all starts when you write from the heart.
Read moreRead this before you write your next recruitment ad!
Writing a recruitment ad is often a rushed activity, with the words used ones you've read many times before ("dynamic" anyone?) Here's how the Banks children managed to recruit their ideal candidate - Mary Poppins! - by using clear and creative words that stood out.
Read more‘CV Greatest Hits’ Countdown – 10 ultimate CV tips to prepare you for the Great 2017 Job Hunt!
'Greatest Hits' countdowns are rife at this time of year - so now, here's one featuring the best CV advice. This list will give you the ultimate steer if you're looking to get your CV on track for the new year job hunt. Wishing you a very happy 2017!
Read moreGive yourself a special Christmas gift...a happy working life in 2017!
If you're stuck in a job you don't particularly like, mindlessly searching job boards for something else, it can be hard to dredge up any enthusiasm to make a change. But that little bit of rest time between Christmas and a brand new year beginning is perfect for considering exactly what you want, and how to take the very first step towards making 2017 your happy work year!
Read moreHow to write your life story
With a new year on the horizon, why not make a resolution to tell your life story? Committing your personal tales to paper can be a rich and rewarding experience for you to write and others to read...for generations to come. Here's how to get started.
Read moreWriting to get what you want at work!
Have you ever thought that making a few tweaks to your working life would help make living it much easier? Harness the power of well-chosen words to state your case and win better work-life balance in the process.
Read moreUse your sense of style to build trust and win business!
Looking for ways to sound consistent and authentic in your written communications? Here are a few tried, tested and original ways to do just that.
Read moreGhost stories…how shadowy script can light up your life and work
BOO! Like a ripe pumpkin Hallowe'en has rolled around yet again, so what better time to extol the benefits of ghostwriting, definitely not just the province of bargain-bin bound celebrities.
Read moreSTOP! Attention-grabbing writing – made easy
Everybody's busy these days - far too busy to read all the words that come their way. Get the right people to read YOURS by honing in on your ideal audience and creating compelling copy that will get them hooked.
Read morePlan a memorable speech...in three easy steps!
Great speeches vary in tone and content, but they all consider the same elements - who they're for, what they're about and why they're being heard. Here's how to plan yours effectively, so you can conquer any nerves and make your speech memorable for all the right reasons!
Read moreMaking meaningful business connections…in writing
Speaking up in networking groups used to bring me out in a cold sweat. So I sought out the people I really wanted to talk to and introduced myself in the way I'm best at - in writing.
Read moreSpecial Deliveries - writing fabulous letters
Getting the tone of a letter right - especially when you're writing to someone you don't know - can be difficult. No matter whom you're writing to, here's how to get started on a letter that's relevant, informative and authentic.
Read moreWriting memories - the story of a eulogy
The thought of telling stories about a loved one for the last time can be daunting. But you can create the most special memories by recalling all the details that made them human and real.
Read more