TIPSY TUESDAY | 5 Tips on Navigating a Networking Event
If your initial thought is how much you dread the discomfort that comes with networking, don’t worry, you’re not alone! The idea of walking into a room filled with strangers and having to talk about yourself is certainly daunting, even to experienced networkers.
If you’re a business owner, or aspiring business owner, networking is a staple in your entrepreneurial tool-kit. Recently, TC from Branch and Leaf wrote a terrific blog post on why networking events are so valuable for business owners. (You can read the benefits of networking for your business here). If your initial thought is how much you dread the discomfort that comes with networking, don’t worry, you’re not alone! The idea of walking into a room filled with strangers and having to talk about yourself is certainly daunting, even to experienced networkers.
In both my personal and professional life, I’ve had to do my fair share of networking. On the personal side, I’ve moved to 2 new cities by myself and I’ve had to throw myself into unfamiliar social environments to meet new people, create connections and ultimately build relationships. On the professional side, I’ve worked the world of outreach for years, and whether it was through my past corporate jobs or my current business, I’ve found myself in many events having to talk to strangers with the same intention: to meet people, create connection, and to build relationships.
Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years of awkwardly putting myself out there.
Get ready to take note!
Perspective
Before you even get to the event, get yourself in the right mindset. This is a networking event; its sole purpose is to create an environment for people to come together to meet, mingle, share and connect. This means that everyone in the room is looking to do the same thing you are: connect with someone else in the room! It’s also likely that most people in the room are feeling just as uncomfortable as you are. Remembering that other event attendees are in the same boat as you can relieve some of the pressure, and help you feel less awkward and alone.
Arrive Early
Your initial response might be something like, “yeah, right! I don’t want to be the first one there.” But, in fact, arriving early gives you an advantage. You can get a feel for the space and environment, chat with the event organizers as a warm up, grab yourself a cocktail or a coffee and settle in. Trust me, it feels far more comfortable to start conversing with others as they walk in, rather than entering a room filled with ongoing conversations and trying to insert yourself.
Conversation Starters
They say preparation is the key to success, and networking is no different. So, for your next event, try researching a few conversation starters so you feel prepared in how you will approach anyone you come across at the event. Here are a couple of classics to get you started:
Ask if you can join a conversation – Whether I see someone standing alone or I’m looking to join a group, I always like to lead with “do you mind if I join you?” it’s a gentle way of indicating that I’m looking to connect with someone (especially if I’m joining a group conversation) and people are always welcoming. Alternatively, if you find yourself in a group conversation and you see someone standing by themselves or walking around alone, go and ask them to join your group or conversation. We’re all in this together!
Comment on the environment – talk about how beautiful the space is, or how you feel about the food or drinks, or what you like/dislike about about networking events. This is an easy conversation starter because it’s one thing you are sure to both have in common in that moment.
Be curious about the other person – ask open ended questions about their business or hobbies. Do they enjoy the field they are in? What made them start their business? How do they enjoy spending their time outside of work/business?
Ask them why they’re attending the event – How did they hear about it? What are they hoping to gain? Do they go to other networking events? This helps you connect by talking about the community you are both a part of. You might even gain a new networking wingman!
Bring a Wingman
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how much you prepare, you still might not be able to shake that awkward feeling of entering a room alone. My suggestion is to bring a networking wingman, that friend who is looking to network and build connections in the community just as much as you are, and try approaching people together. It can feel far less intimidating when you have someone you know and trust by your side. Just try not to get too caught up in conversation with each other. Remember that your intention is to connect with others in the community!
Have fun
At the end of the day, remember why you decided to attend the event; to meet, connect, learn and grow. It’s totally normal to feel awkward and uncomfortable, but try to take some pressure off and just enjoy yourself and the process!
TIPSY TUESDAY | How To Add Special Fonts & Characters To Your Instagram - Sarah Van Dusen High Level Marketing
SVM Tip To Add a Special Font to Your Bio via Mobile: Add a new font to yourBoss BabeInstagram bio via your mobile device using a website like LingoJam:
WANT TO UP YOUR INSTAGRAM GAME?!
HLM Tip To Add a Special Font to Your Bio via Mobile:
Add a new font to your Boss Babe Instagram bio via your mobile device using a website like LingoJam:
https://lingojam.com/FancyTextGenerator
Open Lingojam on your phone, type your desired bio text in the lefthand text box, and you'll see the same bio text in different fonts appear on the right.Carry your chosen font over to your Boss Babe Instagram bio by tapping it and selecting "Copy." Then, open your Instagram app, go to your profile, select "Edit Profile," tap the "Bio" section and paste your chosen font into the empty field.
Add special characters to your bio.
Not only can you customize your bio with a special font, but you can also add special characters like §, †, or even ™ if your Instagram name features a trademarked product name.
HLM Tip Add Special Characters to your Instagram From Mobile
Use your mobile device, to install a free mobile app like Character Pad:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.husseinelfeky.characterpad&hl=en
Character Pad catalogs nearly every character and symbol you might need.
Open your new app and find the character you want to add to your Instagram bio. In Character Pad, you'll double-tap the picture of your chosen symbol to paste it into a text box. Then, copy this character to your phone's clipboard. Then insert into your Boss Babes Instagram Bio.
Visit https://highlevelyeg.ca for more SEO, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Graphics & Website Design!
-Sarah Van Dusen
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#MOMBOSS | Stephanie Liu - "Why Evidence Matters in Parenting"
One of the biggest issues in the internet age is misinformation. It is so easy to find answers to your questions, but so difficult to verify those answers. And in many cases that can be dangerous.
Photo | Jeremy Mo
Hi, my name is Stephanie Liu and I am a family doctor and clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta, and a first time momma! I started the blog lifeofdrmom.com because I think it is hard for parents to be able to differentiate inaccurate, possibly dangerous information from reliable credible information online. Life of Dr Mom provides parents with credible information for parenting, child wellness and maternal wellness. Hope you like my blog!
"Why Evidence Matters in Parenting"
In October of 2018, I launched lifeofdrmom.com, my version of a “mommy blog.” But the main focus of my blog isn’t me or my experiences. I am aiming to build a resource for parents/caregivers that is medically accurate and evidence-based, yet still easily accessible.
One of the biggest issues in the internet age is misinformation. It is so easy to find answers to your questions, but so difficult to verify those answers. And in many cases that can be dangerous. When it comes to parenting especially, everyone wants the best for their children and first-time parents in particular are turning to the internet to answer questions ranging from “how to swaddle newborn” to “does this poop look normal?”
Photo | Jeremy Mo
Photo | Jeremy Mo
When I had my own daughter, I had all the same questions. But as a family doctor in Canada, I had the resources to compile medical papers and research studies to help me along. I wanted other people to have access to the same information that I did, but medical studies aren’t exactly a beach read. People usually look to blogs and forums for advice instead. When I browsed some of these mommy blogs, I was disturbed at how many of them were promoting incorrect facts or unfounded claims. Vaccines, sleep training, and food allergies were among some of the more frequent victims. It was then that I realized just how easy it is to fall into false beliefs and I knew I had to do something about it.
I started the blog by recalling all the questions I’d had from my pregnancy and beyond as well as questions I would receive from patients. I summarized the research in my posts, hoping the facts could reach more people. But I’m competing with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and other popular lifestyle and health blogs.These celebrity platforms work because of the figurehead, so I knew I had to put more of my personality into the blog to reach more people. We as a species want to connect and we trust each other more than faceless entities with cold hard facts. Life of Dr. Mom had to grow beyond a few blog articles. I started to use social media to my advantage, putting more of myself and my voice into the project. I shared more personal stories, like when I struggled to breastfeed my daughter. I had always recommended breastfeeding over formula to my patients, but when I was in the hot seat I found out the hard way that it’s not always so easy.
There are highs and lows of parenting, and no amount of medical school can truly prepare you to raise a child. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s ok. My blog has two purposes: to offer true, proven medical facts to help inform your decisions when it comes to your baby, and to show you that nobody, not even the people who pretend to be, is perfect.
Instagram: @lifeofdrmom
Facebook: Life of Dr. Mom - Stephanie Liu
Twitter: @LifeofDrMom1
Pinterest: Life of Dr Mom
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https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4977913
https://www.folio.ca/u-of-a-family-doctor-offers-evidence-based-mom-blog/
Interview with Su-Ling global Feb25