Ed.
note:
This
is
the
first
article
in
a
series
providing
a
comprehensive
guide
to
networking
at
conferences.
Ever
felt
like
a
conference
was
a
throwback
to
your
high
school
dance,
minus
the
bad
music
and
questionable
fashion
choices?
You’re
not
alone.
It’s
a
world
where
everyone’s
trying
to
be
the
cool
kid.
Imagine
stepping
into
the
bustling
conference
hotel,
a
hive
of
activity,
where
clusters
of
lawyers
resemble
old
school
cliques
and
not
knowing
where
to
begin
or
what
to
say.
What
do
you
do?
Navigating
this
social
labyrinth
requires
a
strategy,
especially
when
it
comes
to
engaging
with
individuals.
It’s
about
finding
that
perfect
opening
line,
akin
to
choosing
the
right
song
for
a
dance.
Just
like
in
those
teenage
years,
there’s
a
bit
of
nervous
excitement
mixed
with
the
hope
of
making
a
connection.
You’re
not
just
reaching
out
to
exchange
pleasantries;
you’re
looking
to
strike
a
chord,
to
find
that
common
ground
that
turns
a
brief
encounter
into
a
meaningful
conversation
and
maybe
even
a
business
relationship.
In
the
sea
of
conference
networking,
one-on-one
conversations
can
be
incredibly
powerful.
They
offer
a
unique
opportunity
to
dive
deeper
into
someone’s
world
without
the
distractions
of
a
group
setting.
Personally,
I
find
these
interactions
more
rewarding.
For
instance,
I
always
look
for
a
personal
connection
point
during
these
conversations.
It
could
be
their
alma
mater,
hometown,
or
even
a
shared
interest.
If
someone
mentions
they
went
to
the
University
of
Chicago,
I
instantly
share
a
snippet
of
my
childhood
in
Chicago
until
third
grade.
This
often
leads
to
more
personal
questions,
like
“Where
did
you
live
after
Chicago?”
Just
like
that,
we’re
no
longer
just
exchanging
formalities;
we’re
sharing
stories,
breaking
the
ice,
and
yes,
metaphorically
dancing!
Solo
Moves
at
the
Networking
Dance
Making
the
first
move
in
networking,
much
like
in
dancing,
requires
a
mix
of
confidence
and
tact.
Each
approach
is
a
dance
step,
an
opportunity
to
initiate
a
rhythm
of
conversation.
Whether
you’re
a
networking
novice
or
a
seasoned
socializer,
these
one-on-one
encounters
are
where
individual
connections
begin.
Here
are
a
few
opening
lines
to
consider,
each
one
an
invitation
to
start
a
new
dialogue,
a
solo
dance
of
sorts,
in
the
bustling
ballroom
of
the
conference.
-
“Hi,
I’m
[Your
Name].
Is
this
your
first
time
at
this
conference,
or
are
you
a
seasoned
attendee?” -
“Good
[morning/afternoon/evening],
I’m
[Your
Name].
I’m
on
a
mission
to
meet
new
people
today.
How’s
the
conference
treating
you?” -
“Excuse
me,
I
couldn’t
help
but
notice
your
[something
you
noticed
about
them].
Hi,
I’m
[your
name]. -
“Hi,
I’m
[Your
Name].
I’m
trying
to
make
new
connections
here.
What’s
been
the
highlight
of
the
conference
for
you?” -
“Hi,
I’m
[Your
Name].
I
saw
that
you
were
in
the
last
presentation.
What’d
you
think?
As
we’ve
seen,
engaging
in
one-on-one
conversations
at
conferences
is
an
art
that
combines
professionalism
with
a
personal
touch.
In
the
next
article
of
our
series,
we’ll
delve
into
the
delicate
dance
of
handling
rejection
and
the
dynamics
of
group
networking.
Stay
tuned
for
more
insights
on
how
to
gracefully
waltz
through
these
common
networking
challenges.
The
Solo
Networking
Dance:
A
Recap
✔️
Approach
with
confidence:
Use
ice-breaker
lines
to
initiate
one-on-one
conversations.
✔️
Find
personal
connection
points:
Share
stories
or
experiences
that
relate
to
the
other
person’s
background
or
interests.
Sejal Patel is
the
Founder
of
Sage
Ivy,
a
New
York-based
consultancy
specializing
in
empowering
attorneys with
innovative
practice
development
strategies.
With
over
20
years
of
experience, Sejal applies
her
expertise
in
assisting
clients
convert
their
relationships
into
revenue
by
applying
individualized
strategies
to
their
networks
and
leveraging
their
unique
styles
authentically.