Take My Bizness Card: How To Network

"How to Work a Room" was copyrighted, so this class was titled, "How to Talk to Strangers". Same principle, different name...and different atmosphere. I was really hoping a class on social networking would be set in a bar. But it was only $23 and held on a satellite campus of the university.

Why take a how-to class on networking? Simply, for my job. I represent a prestigious institution in the city of Las Vegas and am ill prepared for it. I've got the right clothes, but apparently not the right attitude. Not necessarily a social pariah, just awkward. Socially awkward. Many issues brought in the class I'm already aware of because I have super obversational powers. Others I learned required the most energy - which explains why I didn't know about them.

I'll save you all the monotony of a sitting in a brick'n'mortar classroom for two hours by summarizing what I learned (I didn't take any notes. I also have super memory powers).

Here are some things that I already knew before entering:

• It's better to be interested than interesting. People remember you more if you ask a bunch of questions (good questions - don't be random).
• 80% how you look, 20% how you sound and 10% what you say. The breakdown in my little flyer actually says 55%, 38% and 7% respectively, but you get the point.
• If you get stuck with a bore, bring someone else into the conversation.
• Stand by the food. Food is a good conversation starter.

But the most important things I got from the class were:

1. Give yourself a pep talk. Tell yourself you're going to have a good time.
   
2. Do your research. Find out who everyone is at the party before going (if you can). People will be impressed with your initiative and it will be easier to find things in common.
3. Rehearse. Actors rehearse their entrances. Musicians rehearse their intros.
   
4. Put down some key features of a person you met onto their business cards. Send thank yous or recommendations the next day.
   
5. Bring a survival kit: two cases for business cards, a pen and breath mints.
   

So this blog will document my feeble beginnings as a Student Socialite (tm) to a Social Butterfly. It will also serve to keep all of you, beautiful readers, abreast of all the cultural goings-on in Vegas in a very informal, witty way. I'm not here to intimidate, but to mediate.

Come into my world!