Dear Vicki: Networking events feel like a waste of time I can’t afford, should I ditch them?
Engaging with others and sharing ideas opens you to new perspectives and possibilities
Choose events that seem most relevant to your goals and interests. Photo: Getty
Q Vicki, I am about to launch a chocolate business, and I’m told that an important way to market our product is to attend networking events. The problem is, I dread them. I feel nervous and awkward meeting new people in a professional setting. I particularly worry about being snubbed, or about not saying the right thing.
Another problem is that many of these networking events take place in noisy environments, and it’s difficult in practical terms to introduce yourself and have a conversation with someone you don’t know. On one occasion, I was latched on to by a person who didn’t know anyone else in the room and hung on to me like a limpet all evening, which stopped me from meeting other people.
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