Last Friday I attended the networking event Utah First Fridays for the first time. After I was through signing in, I stood there in amazement and felt as if I was in an episode of the Office when Dwight stares at the camera and you can’t help but get the strange feeling of awkwardness. “Ugh!!!” I thought, “What am I supposed to do now? Wait for someone to come and talk to me or do I just start introducing myself to every person here?” I really didn’t know, considering this was my first time to a networking event in Utah. What’s the protocol? How long do you spend talking to someone before moving on to the next person? What’s the point of all this anyway?

After spending a few very awkward moments just staring at people who were staring back, I decided the best thing to do would be to get some food. Maybe if I go eat something, I will appear less approachable and it will save me the time and effort of actually having to introduce myself to anyone. Or, maybe people will decide that since I’m stuffing bagels into my mouth to leave me alone. Either way, I thought it would be better than standing there laughing under my breath at the situation.

As I was eating a woman approached me and I thought to myself, “Oh my gosh, what am I supposed to…….” Before I could even finish my thought, she had already said hello and given me her name. Well, after a few minutes of finding out about her and why she was there, I had a huge sense of relief come over me and realized that most of these people are just trying to meet people who can help them meet people. So I decided to forget about my insecurities and feelings of awkwardness and start getting my $5 worth of networking. After an hour I had met and talked to at least 15 people all who were very nice, genuine and just trying to get the word out. One man came up to me and told me a little about his cleaning business and gave me a brochure. I told him, “Well, I don’t have an office for you to clean but I’ll pass the word a long to someone who might” he looked at me said, “That would be great!” as if that’s all he wanted to hear.
So I’ve determined that after my one experience with networking events, feeling awkward is pointless and doesn’t it get you anywhere. So you’re if debating on whether networking events are for you or not, just think, “Office episode” or sitting at home wondering when you’re business is going to take off.