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BOOK EXCERPT
📖 15 Questions To Ask When Networking With Someone New
Excerpted and adapted from My Networking Tactics book by Bart Smith
Reprinted by Permission
Great networking conversations are usually built on great questions.
Questions take the pressure off you to perform, help the other person feel heard and give you the information you need to decide whether you can help them, whether they can help you or whether you should introduce them to someone else.
Here are 15 questions you can use to keep a new networking conversation moving naturally:
1. So, what do you do?
This is the simplest place to begin. Let the other person explain their business, role or specialty in their own words.
2. Where are you from?
This is an easy relationship-building question that can uncover common ground, shared experiences or local connections.
3. How did you get started doing what you do?
People usually enjoy telling the story behind their career or business. Their answer can reveal experience, motivation and useful context.
4. How long have you been doing that?
This helps you understand their level of experience and often opens the door to stories about how their industry has changed.
5. What did you do before this?
Career paths are rarely straight lines. This question can reveal hidden skills, past industries and connections you would never learn from a job title alone.
6. What's your background, experience or education?
Use this when it fits the flow of the conversation. It helps you understand what they know and where their expertise comes from.
7. How did you hear about tonight's event?
This is a natural event-specific question and may uncover mutual contacts, organizations, newsletters or groups worth knowing about.
8. What made you decide to come to this event?
Their goal for attending may tell you exactly what they are looking for and whether you can help.
9. What would you say you need the most help with right now?
This is one of the most valuable networking questions because it shifts the conversation toward needs, problems and possible solutions.
10. Do you know anyone here tonight?
Their answer can lead to introductions, reveal how connected they are to the group and sometimes expand your own network immediately.
11. Have you met anyone tonight who really impressed you?
This question can lead you toward strong contacts while also giving the other person a chance to share what they are finding valuable.
12. What do you think about the event so far?
A simple opinion question keeps the conversation going and gives you insight into what they were hoping to gain.
13. Do you have a website or somewhere I can learn more about you?
This creates a natural way to continue learning after the event and makes follow-up much easier.
14. Is there anyone you're hoping to meet here?
If you know someone who fits what they are looking for, you may be able to make an introduction on the spot.
15. How can I help you?
This question captures the spirit of effective networking. Even if you cannot help directly, you may know someone, a resource, an idea or a next step that can.
USE THE ANSWERS, DON'T JUST COLLECT THEM
As you listen, you are really trying to answer two questions: Can I help this person? Can this person help me?
If the answer to either question is yes, exchange contact information and agree on a next step. If the answer is no, thank them, stay courteous and keep moving. They may still know someone who can help you later.
Networking becomes much easier when you stop trying to impress people and start trying to understand them.
(THIS CONTINUES IN THE BOOK)
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