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10 tips for meeting people at industry events - andrewchen
andrewchen.com
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Sitting next to people who aren’t interesting, or don’t want to talk? That’s easy, just go to a different seat. If you’d rather be polite, just excuse yourself to go to the bathroom and then come back to sit in a different area. The best part of multi-session conferences is that you can constantly mix with different crowds as you enter and leave the rooms. “If they are nice, they’ll welcome new people in, introduce themselves, and help you join a conversation.” The best way to resolve this is to look for easy circles to join. This can be made up of people you’ve met earlier in the conference, so you can catch up and ask them how they’re enjoying things. Another option is 1 or 2 people loitering at the edges, who aren’t part of the action. You can make your own circle that way. Another is to watch for groups that have huge holes, with people standing in a U shaped pattern. You can jump in and fill the circle, and try and jump into the conversation.
Here are some tips I’ve learned from going to half a dozen such events in the last couple weeks: “If you can, use the time before the conference to ask people you’ve met whether or not they’re going to go.” Another option is to e-mail people that are working at the event, and let them know that you’re new. If they’re nice people, when you see them at the event, they’ll introduce you to a couple people. Either of these options should result in 2 or 3 introductions at the very minimum.
2. Arrive early, and get some 1:1 time When there’s lots of people, and circles of 4 or 5 people that all know each other form, it’s tough to break in. The best time to meet people is when there isn’t much competition, and you can have a quick conversation to introduce yourself. So show up early, find someone who looks bored (checking their phone or whatever), and introduce yourself. That way, you’ll have a tiny bit of familiarity that you can reuse later on in the event. “They’re often milling around, waiting for something to happen, and you have a chance to speak to some of the more well-informed and well-connected people there.” 3. Sit next to interesting people, and introduce yourself There are several bad places to sit during a conference. One is at the very front, where people get intimidated by the speakers, so that the seats are usually empty. Instead, do yourself a favor – sit in the middle of one of the rows, and introduce yourself to the people to the left of you or to the right of you, as the event starts. This is another example of the easier 1:1 interactions that happen because of your captive audience.
1. Use the time before the conference wisely The hardest thing in the world is when you don’t know anyone at a conference and you’re expected to fit right in. If you can, use the time before the conference to ask people you’ve met whether or not they’re going to go. If so, that’s great! You can tag along with them and they can introduce you to a couple people. “If they’re nice people, when you see them at the event, they’ll introduce you to a couple people.” One incredibly important way to use pre-event time is to create a little sound bite about yourself. When you say, “Hi, I’m Joe” you want to be able to follow up with a 30 second, 60 second, or 2 minute blurb about yourself and your interests, depending on the context and interest. You may want to make it a little punchier than usual, and get to the salient points quickly. You need to help other people size you up and fit you into their universe as fast as possible.
1. Use the time before the conference wisely The hardest thing in the world is when you don’t know anyone at a conference and you’re expected to fit right in. If you can, use the time before the conference to ask people you’ve met whether or not they’re going to go. If so, that’s great! You can tag along with them and they can introduce you to a couple people. “Another option is to e-mail people that are working at the event, and let them know that you’re new.” One incredibly important way to use pre-event time is to create a little sound bite about yourself. When you say, “Hi, I’m Joe” you want to be able to follow up with a 30 second, 60 second, or 2 minute blurb about yourself and your interests, depending on the context and interest. You may want to make it a little punchier than usual, and get to the salient points quickly. You need to help other people size you up and fit you into their universe as fast as possible.
One incredibly important way to use pre-event time is to create a little sound bite about yourself. When you say, “Hi, I’m Joe” you want to be able to follow up with a 30 second, 60 second, or 2 minute blurb about yourself and your interests, depending on the context and interest. You may want to make it a little punchier than usual, and get to the salient points quickly. You need to help other people size you up and fit you into their universe as fast as possible. “That way, you’ll have a tiny bit of familiarity that you can reuse later on in the event.” Another good thing to do, if you show up early, is to catch a couple minutes with the speakers, organizers, or panelists. They’re often milling around, waiting for something to happen, and you have a chance to speak to some of the more well-informed and well-connected people there.