5 Rules to Network Like a Pro at Holiday Parties

Holiday party season is upon us. My absolute favorite time of the year!

Holiday parties can be anywhere from formal to rowdy, but they all have one thing in common: a really good place to have fun and meet new people.

A year ago, my mentor got me into an exclusive networking holiday dinner. Private rooftop at a successful female founder's house in Venice (CEO of a big PR agency).

Intimate group of 9-10 amazing marketers including the CMO of Chipotle, the CMO of El Pollo Loco, a VP of Marketing at Disney, and… me.

Frankly I had crazy imposter syndrome.

But I ended up doing great, and that night taught me some valuable lessons about networking like a pro. Today I’m sharing those lessons with you so you can nail those December Holiday parties and finish the year strong.

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Rule #1: Always Be Memorable

I use my accent as an icebreaker. "I'm from France, immigrated to America to learn English, ended up going to college here, and started a cool business after graduating."

People remember "the French guy who had balls to come to America." If people aren't going to remember your name, make sure they remember your story (you still want them to know your name, but the story helps).

Find your own memorable differentiator. What makes you interesting beyond your job title?

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Rule #2: Bring Serious Value

At the dinner party, the host asked everyone to: "Give one piece of marketing advice anyone can use in their business tomorrow."

Good thing I’m a freelance marketer with loads of badass marketing hacks! I probably had the coolest one that night that got me a lot of praise.

I shared a wild Facebook geo-targeting strategy I use to geofence celebrities and get them to invest in my freelance client's business. The CMOs were impressed, hit me up weeks later, tried their own version, it worked.

Always have one powerful, actionable strategy ready to share that’s relevant to the freelance service you offer. If you're an SEO freelancer, have that one amazing SEO tip. If you're an email marketing freelancer, have that killer open-rate strategy ready to share. Remember, give away the secrets, sell the execution.

This is how you become "that person with the great advice" instead of "another freelancer looking for work."

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Rule #3: Don't Pitch Yourself

Lead with curiosity, not your resume. Ask smart questions that make them talk. Status isn't communicated by listing achievements.

The most successful people at that dinner spent more time asking questions than talking about themselves.

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Rule #4: Match the Energy, Not the Wealth

Act comfortable and relaxed - that signals you belong. Don't be a fan, be a peer.

The host created the perfect environment for this by treating everyone as equals, regardless of company size or title.

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Rule #5: Make Valuable Introductions

Be a connector, not just a collector. Give back immediate value to get invited back.

I introduced the Disney VP to someone working on a project perfect for their needs. Guess who got invited to the next dinner?

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Unofficial Rule #6: Don't Get Too Hammered

Goes without saying, but it's funny how many people forget this one. You want to be remembered for your great advice, not for taking shots and being inappropriate.

(Ok maybe take some shots but don’t be inappropriate!!)

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The Follow-Up Strategy

Stay in touch with people - usually LinkedIn connect. You can scan QR codes now, super easy.

If you really hit it off with someone, ask for their WhatsApp or Instagram. For the most part, LinkedIn or email works fine.

But here's the key: Follow up within 48 hours while you're still fresh in their memory.

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The Bathroom Notes Hack

Here's my secret weapon: I’ll go use the bathroom every 30-40 minutes even if I don’t need to.

I pull up my notes app and write down: people's names, details about them and our conversations.

Coming from someone who sucks at remembering names - write everything down during the party, not after. The reaction when you remember personal details is incredible.

When you see them 2 years later: "Hey Nate, how you been man? Your kid still crushing it at baseball?"

This is how you build a network that consistently sends deals your way - it's about genuine relationships, not transactional exchanges.

These rules work whether you're at:

• Company holiday parties
• Industry mixers
• Client events
• Casual networking drinks

If you're still building your personal brand as a freelancer, these events are goldmines for showing your personality beyond your portfolio.

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The Old Freelancer Way vs. The Modern Freelancer Way

The old freelancer way:

• Show up and hand out business cards
• Talk about your services immediately
• Hope someone needs what you offer

The Modern Freelancer way:

• Be memorable with your personal story
• Bring valuable advice to share
• Take detailed notes and follow up strategically

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Your Action Step

Before your next holiday party:

1. Identify your memorable story - What makes you interesting beyond work?
2. Prepare one valuable piece of advice specific to your expertise
3. Download a notes app and practice the bathroom notes hack

The goal isn't to get clients at the party. The goal is to be remembered as someone worth knowing.

When they need your services 6 months later, you want to be the first person they think of.

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