40 Best Conversation Starters for Networking Success

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie

Meeting new people and networking can be nerve-wracking for many, but it’s a valuable skill that opens doors to countless opportunities. Whether it’s finding a mentor, landing a dream job, or simply expanding your professional circle, networking is an essential tool for personal and career growth. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and each connection is a step forward in your journey.

In the tapestry of life, each person we meet adds a unique thread, enriching the overall pattern with their colors and textures. Meeting new people is not just about expanding your social circle; it’s about opening doors to new perspectives, opportunities, and even life-changing experiences. The value of being open to new connections cannot be overstated, as one conversation with the right person can alter the course of your life in unimaginable ways.

The magic of meeting new people often lies in the art of starting conversations with strangers. While this may seem daunting at first, it’s a skill that gets easier with practice. The more you engage in small talk and reach out to others, the more natural it becomes. This habit of initiating dialogue can lead to unexpected friendships, professional opportunities, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.

To foster meaningful connections, it’s essential to show genuine interest in others. People are naturally drawn to those who listen and engage with their stories and ideas. By being curious about the lives and experiences of others, you invite them to open up and share, creating a foundation for mutual interest and respect.

Lastly, being interesting, fun, and friendly makes you more approachable and memorable. Share your passions, experiences, and humor in conversations. A positive attitude and a willingness to connect on a personal level can turn a brief encounter into a lasting relationship.

In summary, the value of meeting new people lies in the richness they bring to our lives. By being open, initiating conversations, showing genuine interest, and being engaging, you create a world of possibilities for yourself and others.

15 Networking TIPS

1. Understand the power of positive visualisation. What do you want in this event? Visusalise it and you are more likely to make that a reality. Highly recommend the book Psycho Cybernetics to help with improving yourself and how you come across to others.
2. Dress well and come across well with a good haircut
3. Be comfortable failing! It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes. Just try and make the effort. Focus on your effort rather than results. The results will come through doing the repts.
4. Make friends with connectors. This can make the whole networking process much more easy. By connecting with one person who knows everyone, you can fast track building your professional network.
5. Watch body language – often if two or more people are in a converstation with a closed stance, they are pointing directly at each other, or are in deep conversation, they are not looking for additional people to join, if they are in an open stance, with feet pointed away from each other, they may have reached an lull in conversation and be looking for new people or topics.
6. Leave conversations at a positive point to move onto others, but taking care of the person you were talking to, introduce to others or help them open a new set
7. Introduce people to each other who might benefit and focus on others
8. Be confident and positive, and interested in others.
9. Have fun! You don’t need to be so serious.
10. Manage your online presence and create content. People may google you or search you. The two worlds – online and offline are increasingly connecting with each other. You can connect with people online and meet them offline, and vice versa.
11. Be Genuine and Authentic: People are more likely to connect with you if they feel you are being genuine. Authenticity builds trust and fosters stronger relationships.
12. Be Mindful of Nonverbal Cues: In addition to watching others’ body language, be aware of your own. Maintain open body language and eye contact to convey interest and approachability.
13. Seek Common Ground: Look for shared interests or experiences that can serve as a foundation for a meaningful connection. This can make conversations more natural and enjoyable.
14. Follow Up with Value: When following up, offer something of value, such as an article or event related to your conversation. This demonstrates your interest and commitment to the connection.
15. Use Storytelling: Sharing a brief, relevant story can make your interactions more memorable and engaging. It’s a great way to illustrate your points and showcase your personality.

Good Luck!

40 Conversation starters

Here are 40 Conversation Starters for Your Next Networking Event

1. “What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on recently?” – This question shows genuine interest in the other person’s work and can lead to a passionate conversation.
2. “How did you get started in your industry?” – People love to share their origin stories, and it can provide valuable insights into their career path.
3. “What’s a book or podcast that has significantly influenced your career?” – This can reveal common interests and lead to a deeper discussion about personal and professional growth.
4. “What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your role, and how did you overcome it?” – This question can lead to a conversation about problem-solving and resilience.
5. “If you could give a TED Talk, what would it be about?” – This allows the person to share their passions and expertise, leading to an engaging conversation.
6. “What’s one trend in your industry that you’re excited about?” – This can lead to a discussion about the future of the industry and potential opportunities.
7. “What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?” – Sharing valuable advice can create a bond and lead to a more personal conversation.
8. “How do you stay motivated and inspired in your work?” – This can lead to a discussion about work-life balance, personal goals, and motivation.
9. “What’s a common misconception about your industry?” – This question can lead to an informative conversation and help you learn more about their field.
10. “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned from a failure?” – Discussing failure and learning experiences can lead to a meaningful and relatable conversation.
11. “What’s a project or initiative you’re currently excited about?” – This allows the person to share their current passions and upcoming plans.
12. “How do you see technology impacting your industry in the next few years?” – This can lead to a forward-thinking conversation about innovation and change.
13. “What’s the best networking event or conference you’ve attended?” – Sharing experiences from different events can lead to recommendations and shared interests.
14. “What’s a skill you’re currently working on improving?” – This shows a mutual interest in personal development and continuous learning.
15. “How do you balance creativity and practicality in your work?” – This can lead to a discussion about problem-solving and innovative thinking.
16. “What’s the most rewarding part of your job?” – This question can lead to a conversation about personal fulfillment and job satisfaction.
17. “What’s a challenge your industry is currently facing?” – Discussing industry challenges can lead to a conversation about potential solutions and opportunities.
18. “What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career?” – Sharing hindsight insights can lead to a reflective and informative conversation.
19. “How do you stay up-to-date with industry news and trends?” – This can lead to a discussion about resources, professional development, and continuous learning.
20. “What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from networking?” – Sharing networking experiences can lead to tips, tricks, and mutual learning.
21. “What inspired you to choose your current career path?”
22. “Can you share a recent success story from your work?”
23. “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in your industry?”
24. “How do you think our fields could collaborate or benefit from each other?”
25. “What’s a challenge you’ve recently faced, and how did you tackle it?”
26. “What’s one skill you think is essential in our line of work?”
27. “Have you attended any interesting webinars or workshops lately?”
28. “What’s the most valuable piece of feedback you’ve ever received?”
29. “How do you see our industry evolving in the next few years?”
30. “What’s a project you’re currently excited about?”
31. “What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your profession?”
32. “How do you balance work and personal life in our demanding field?”
33. “What’s a common myth about your profession that you’d like to debunk?”
34. “Have you had any mentors who significantly impacted your career?”
35. “What’s a book or article that has influenced your professional thinking?”
36. “What’s a piece of technology that has significantly impacted your work?”
37. “How do you stay motivated during challenging times in your career?”
38. “What’s a professional goal you’re currently working towards?”
39. “How do you approach networking and building professional relationships?”
40. “What’s the best advice you’ve received for advancing in your career?”

Quotes about Networking

1. “The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.” – Keith Ferrazzi
2. “Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” – Michele Jennae
3. “The most successful networkers are givers. They give of themselves to others without expecting anything in return.” – Ivan Misner
4. “The key to successful networking is to build genuine relationships and show a sincere interest in the person you’re engaging with.” – Unattributed
5. “Your network is your net worth.” – Porter Gale
6. “Networking is not about collecting contacts. Networking is about planting relations.” – MiSha A. Vu
7. “Effective networking isn’t a result of luck – it requires hard work and persistence.” – Lewis Howes
8. “Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you.” – Rasheed Ogunlaru
9. “Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting. It’s about cultivating relationships.” – Dr. Ivan Misner

Best Books on Networking:

1. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie – A classic guide to building meaningful relationships.
2. “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi – A modern networking bible focusing on building relationships for success.
3. “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell – Explores how small actions can create big changes, including in networking.
4. “Networking Like a Pro” by Ivan Misner – Practical advice on how to network effectively from the founder of BNI.
5. “The Connector’s Way” by Patrick Galvin – A story about the simple actions that lead to big results in business and life.
6. “Give and Take” by Adam Grant – A perspective on how giving can lead to success in networking and life.
7. “Superconnector” by Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh – A guide to becoming a powerful connector in today’s digital age.
8. “Build Your Dream Network” by J. Kelly Hoey – Tips for networking in the modern world, with a focus on online connections.
9. “The Networking Survival Guide” by Diane Darling – Practical advice for anyone who wants to improve their networking skills.
10. “Power Networking” by Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas – Strategies for increasing contacts and building relationships.

10 Best Networking Websites:

1. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/ – The world’s largest professional networking platform, ideal for connecting with colleagues, industry experts, and potential employers.
2. Meetup – https://www.meetup.com/ – A platform for finding and building local communities around shared interests, including professional networking groups.
3. Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/ – A global platform for discovering and attending events, including networking events and professional workshops.
4. BNI (Business Network International) – https://www.bni.com/ – A global business networking organization with local chapters for in-person meetings and referrals.
5. Networking For Professionals – https://www.networkingforprofessionals.com/ – An online and in-person networking community offering various events and opportunities.
6. Shapr – https://www.shapr.co/ – A networking app that connects professionals based on shared interests and goals.
7. Network After Work – https://www.networkafterwork.com/ – A platform for finding and attending networking events across various cities.
8. Ryze – http://www.ryze.com/ – A business networking platform that connects professionals based on industry and interests.
9. Lunchclub – https://lunchclub.com/ – An AI-powered platform that facilitates one-on-one professional connections based on mutual goals.
10. Ten Thousand Coffees – https://www.tenthousandcoffees.com/ – A platform that pairs professionals for networking coffee chats to share insights and experiences.