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The hardest part: the first 30 seconds
At networking events, everyone can say "Hi." The real skill is what comes next. Many professionals freeze after the initial greeting because they don't have conversation starters ready. The secret: use **openers** that are easy to answer and invite a story, not just a yes/no.
What brings you to this event?
Open-ended, invites a story.
Have you been to this conference before?
Easy yes/no that leads to follow-up.
I saw the keynote this morning. what did you think?
Creates shared experience.
Tip
Avoid starting with "What do you do?". It can feel like an interrogation. Build rapport first, then ask about work.