Smart Tips For 'Working The Room'

Thursday 29 April, 2010

by Jenny Stilwell

Once you’re at an event – whether social or business – you need to make the most of it and ‘work the room’.

Tip #1: Be clear on who to avoid and who to engage

Be clear on who to avoid and who to engage. Don’t mess around. If someone is in your vicinity that you do not wish to engage, you need to act quickly and move directly to a new target. It isn’t enough to just mosey away, you need to specifically move toward someone else, rather than away from the person you want to avoid. Trust me – it’s effective!

Tip #2: Never be seen just ‘standing there’

Social suicide. No-one to talk to? Don’t know anyone? No need to make it obvious. Refer back to point 1 – intent is the key and moving forward! Even if you don’t know exactly who or what you’re moving toward, no-one else does either!

Tip #3: Don’t linger too long

There’s many people in the room, don’t linger too long with any of them. You have a mission and a purpose to work the room, and you can’t do that if you talk to the same person / people for most of the night. Too boring. Keep moving!

Tip #4: Don’t use an obvious segue

Novices say things like “I’m just going to get another drink”. Room-workers use phrases like, “your trip sounds fantastic, I’ll look forward to hearing about it when you get back. Have a great time, (as they smile, kiss goodbye and / or do a slight arm movement to indicate a quasi wave, and move back from where they’ve been standing, and turn in the direction of a new target). A very subtle ‘goodbye, I’m moving again’ where neither party loses face.

Tip #5: Always have a free hand

One for a drink, which you’re bound to need, and the other for quick bites and hand shakes. If you’re female and have a bag, make sure it’s a clutch or has a handle or strap so you can keep your hand free. Nothing worse than food in your hand and your mouth, a drink in the other, and you can’t speak, and you can’t ‘shake’. Not a good look. No way to make connections.

Tip #6: Don’t be seen to be leaving until you’re out the door

There may be someone very important that you see just as you’re leaving. Keep a drink in your hand and look like you’re still in full networking swing. You don’t want to be seen to be leaving early.
So, there they are - top tips for working a room. Give it a try, when you come at it from a head space of ‘working the room’ as opposed to ‘networking’, you’ll feel and act differently.

Author Credits

Jenny Stilwell is the creator of BOSSMENTOR® Business, a FREE ezine for professional, lifestyle oriented business owners wanting to confidently increase the value of their business, ultimately spending less time in it. You'll get proven strategies, tips and resources designed to help you achieve success. To receive your free e-book information, and sign up for how-to articles on creating and managing business growth, visit www.bossgroup.com.au