Ever walked into a room, scanned the crowd, and thought… Where do I even start?
I’ve been there.
From attending the most exclusive prep school in Jacksonville, to teaching English to Tunisian parliamentarians, to networking with DC’s upcoming finance professionals, I’ve had to figure out, fast, how to enter conversations that felt out of reach.
So this week, I’m breaking down how to enter a group conversation at a networking event without looking awkward, without overthinking, and in a way that elevates your presence instantly.
You can play it bold, or you can play it smooth. Either way, you’ll walk in with intention.
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🔖 BOOKMARKS THIS WEEK
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Workers will only make 3 professional friends in their life (oof) – The Sun
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How to build rapport with rich people — networkingwizard, Instagram
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The role of networking in success — Eric Siu, YouTube
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Practical tactics to network online — The Science of People, YouTube
🫱🏻🫲🏽 NETWORKING: CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER
We all know networking can turn into deals, partnerships, and life-changing introductions, but you never know where relationships will take you if you don’t build your presence from the group up through in-person events.
It’s not about being the loudest.
It’s not about forcing your way in.
It’s about positioning yourself as someone people want to talk to.
The point is to signal that you belong.
But how do you do that when belonging can be so… difficult?
Let’s talk tactics.
Specifically, how to enter a group conversation at an event.
Imagine you’re at an event.
When you enter a new space, it can be easy to dart straight to the drinks table.
As someone who never drinks at events (usually I save it for dinners), I’d like to share what you can do instead, no matter if you have a drink in hand or not.
You can approach your entry in 2-ways:
The Power Player or The Smooth Operator
Neither is right or wrong. Simply lean into the mood you’re feeling and continue.
✣ Choose Your Group
Find the most engaged listener: Every group has one—the person nodding along, reacting, but not speaking much. That’s your in.
The Power Player: Take Control of the Moment
This is for when you’re feeling bold, confident, and ready to make an entrance that commands attention. Step into the group with purpose.
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Enter with a statement. Instead of waiting for an opening, add value immediately. If they’re discussing a business trend, say something sharp like:
“I couldn’t help but overhear—interesting take on AI in hiring. I’ve actually seen a friend I know implement a similar model with surprising results.” -
Make eye contact with everyone. Do not focus on the most talkative. The ones who speak the least may have the most influence. Acknowledge everyone’s existence.
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Use confident body language. Stand tall, nod as others speak, and don’t fidget. Your presence should signal that you belong.
Contribute, without interrupting.
The Smooth Operator: Ease Your Way In
Not every moment calls for a power move. Maybe the conversation is intense, or you want to feel the dynamic before jumping in.
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Enter with curiosity. Instead of inserting yourself right away, react to the conversation naturally—nod, smile, or give a quick verbal cue like “That’s a fascinating perspective, how are you seeing this play out in your work?”
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Engage the least occupied person first. Find the engaged listener—the one who is nodding along but not speaking much. A simple, “This is a great discussion. What’s been the most interesting point so far?” instantly brings you in.
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Allow space for the group to acknowledge you. When the dominant speaker reacts to you, they invite you into the flow of conversation without you forcing it.
✣ Establish Your Presence
Introduce yourself to everyone individually. That’s correct. Repeat everyone’s names as you shake their hands. Use everyone’s name every chance you get. By remembering names, you show you care, and in effect, they care more about you.
The Power Player: Own Your Spot
Make your presence felt by anchoring yourself in the conversation.
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Insert a well-timed question. The easiest way to be remembered? Ask something thought-provoking.
“That’s an interesting perspective—do you think this shift is temporary or a long-term trend?” -
Address the group, not just one person. Speak in a way that invites multiple responses. This keeps the conversation flowing around you rather than excluding you or a single individual.
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Use strategic pauses. A short, confident silence after you speak signals that what you said is worth processing.
Great networkers shape conversations.
The Smooth Operator: Build a Bridge
Ease into the discussion by connecting ideas.
How to execute:
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Echo and extend. “That reminds me of what Alex was saying earlier—there seems to be a pattern emerging here.” This makes you a connector, which, we believe especially, is a power move in disguise.
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Validate and redirect. If someone makes a great point, acknowledge it before shifting the topic slightly. “That’s a solid take on creator economy trends. How’d you come about to this idea?”
With this approach, you earn trust without saying much.
✣ Make a Lasting Impression
Read the exit cues: Is the conversation naturally winding down? Are people shifting topics? Do you want to stay engaged?
The Power Player: Close Strong
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Offer a sharp insight before leaving. “Oh! I actually just wrote an article about that. I’d love to share that with you now, then I gotta run.”
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Introduce a next step. “Also, are you going to [event] later? Would love to continue this chat.”
The Smooth Operator: Leave Them Wanting More
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Wrap up on a high. “Wow, this has left me with quite a bit to think about. I’ve really enjoyed this conversation. I’m going to circulate a bit but this has been lovely.”
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Choose one person to connect with. If you think connecting with everyone is overwhelming, select one person, “Hey I really enjoyed your ideas and would like to keep in touch. Can we share LinkedIns?”
The best exits leave people looking forward to speaking with you again.
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Got more feedback or want to get in touch? Reply here and I’ll get back to you.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Lauren and the Connections team
