I originally posted this on my startup Luv@FirstTweet’s blog, but I figured was worth reposting here as well. So without further ado…
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Between recently launching Luv@FirstTweet and actively trying to promote it, I thought I’d share my thoughts on tech networking events. Since SXSW is just around the corner, the topic is extra relevant.
In college, while at parties and bars, everyone started off with the same question upon approaching someone new:
“What’s your major?”
It was the standard opener that everyone loved to hate, yet used anyway, since it was relevant to most anyone standing in a room-filled with college students holding $1 beer. It just worked. As a young-professional living in NYC now, I go out to bars and find myself starting conversations with people in more creative ways; so much so that I couldn’t even tell you how I began talking to certain people…it just kind of happens. I’d like to think that I’ve developed some networking skills since my college years…
Going to more tech events after co-launching Luv@FirstTweet with Ari has posed another similar opener, almost as if I’ve lapsed back to college! This time it’s
“What brings you to <insert tech event here>?”
Responses have varied from being entrepreneurs, journalists, or generally curious people interested in technology. I get asked it, and I’ll admit I resort to asking it all the time as an opener. Everyone there wants to learn something and meet new people, yet I find a lot of people awkwardly glancing at their phones pretending to be busy. They really want to meet other people doing innovative and interesting things but are often hindered by being too shy. But what can you expect from people who developed their technological acumen by opting to play with their computers instead of the neighborhood kids? The curiosity and ability is there, it just needs to be drawn out.
This especially rings true when you go alone — which I’ve done a lot lately since Ari is hacking away to keep Luv@FirstTweet running smoothly and develop awesome new features. Even though we’re all obviously there to network, and it’s not like I’m hitting on the person next to me, it still takes a fair amount of courage and an outgoing personality to walk up to a stranger. After all, we’re not all natural born salesman ready to chat up anyone we meet (although I wish I had that skill).
So here’s the point of my post and some advice – put down your phone and go talk to somebody. Chances are they are happy to learn about what you are up to and tell you what they are doing as well. Maybe they’ll offer some useful feedback or make an intro – that’s what you’re there for after all: to meet new people with different viewpoints and experiences. It’s a bit tough at times, but definitely worth it.
PS – if you see me at an event on my phone feel free to call me out…and that’ll make for a different opener than the norm