Interpersonal Networking - Holiday Style

This just in from the Name Tag Guy, creative thinker, and savvy networker, Scott Ginsberg -- 13 Ways to Network without Being a Nuisance. Here are a half-dozen of my favorites:

• Identify why you’re there. Is this an opportunity for you to meet people, or is it an opportunity for them to meet YOU? This simple attitudinal change will alter your business forever.
• Be The Observed, not The Observer. Lead the conversation. Invite new people to join your table or conversation. [C]onsider being a volunteer.
• Remove the threat of rejection. If you’re afraid of starting conversations with strangers for fear of looking stupid or being rejected, approach people who HAVE to be nice to you. Leaders, volunteers, hosts, bartenders … these encounters are perfect opportunities to achieve small victories that will build your networking confidence.
• Lead with your person; follow with your profession. Values before vocation. Personality before position. Realness before roles. Then, when the time is right, find a way to gently introduce how you deliver value. Don’t force it.
• Stop asking people, “So, what do YOU do?” [N]ot everyone has a job. Nor are all people defined by their work. Instead, ask questions that enable the person to take the conversation in whatever direction makes them feel comfortable, i.e., “What keeps you busy all week?” “What’s been the best part about your week so far?”
• Friendliness is underrated. I know it sounds dumb, but just be friendly. Friendliness is so rare; it’s become remarkable. Use it. Do it. BE it.

And a few additional ideas of my own:

• Get yourself ready. If you need to rest a bit beforehand, then do so. If you need to do something physical, do that. Do what you need so that you can show up 100% as the True and Authentic YOU.
• Set a goal. Decide, in advance, how many new people you want to meet. Don't overwhelm yourself, but do stretch. And know that without setting a number, you're likely to meet far fewer people than you would otherwise.
• Let your conversations swerve. Don't just stick to the facts, tell stories, share tidbits, ask some light-hearted questions, digress, welcome more detail. Superfluousness is often a handle that others can grab ahold of to engage more vibrantly in their conversations with YOU.
• Go to the gratitude place. Okay, maybe this is a bit heavy for most networking events, but it is the Holiday Season so you most certainly can get away with asking people what they're most grateful for this year. And don't be surprised if much of what you hear is wonderful and heartwarming.
• Identify a reason to follow-up. Build on what you've learned and continue your conversations afterwards. Did you talk with someone about great vacations? Share your itinerary from that trip to Banff and Jasper you took last year. Did you find a music buff? Let them know that Phish is getting back together. (Yes, it's true!) Did you talk sushi? Ask for the name of that great restaurant you talked about. Have a lead to share? By all means, share it.
• Leave on a high note. Allow for the serendipity that the person you'll connect most with is someone you meet on the way out. And if not, no matter. You'll still have left the event with a spring in your step and a smile on your face. The memory of that alone will surely help you get yourself ready the next time.