5 Rules to Network Like a Pro at Events

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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Why is It Important to Learn How to Network at Events?

Networking is literally building relationships that pay dividends for years.

That rooftop dinner I mentioned? It led to three client referrals over the next 18 months. Not because I pitched anyone. Not because I handed out my portfolio. But because I showed up as someone worth remembering.

It is simple: One good connection at an event can be worth $50K+ in referrals over your career. One memorable conversation can open doors you didn't even know existed.

But you can't fake genuine networking. People smell desperation from a mile away. They can tell when you're just there to "get clients."

The freelancers who crush it at events? They're there to build real relationships. They're genuinely curious about people. They bring value before they ever ask for anything.

This is exactly the kind of freelance strategy that separates six-figure freelancers from the ones constantly struggling to find work. It's not about your portfolio or your pitch - it's about your ability to connect with people in a way that makes them want to work with you.

And if you're thinking "I'm not good at networking" - that's exactly why you need to learn. This skill compounds. Every person you meet opens doors to more people. Every relationship you build increases your network's value exponentially.

The question isn't whether you should learn how to network at an event​​. The question is: can you afford not to?

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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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Important Networking Skills to Develop

Networking is a skill like any other. You can get better at it. But you need to focus on how to network at an event​​​ effectively with the right things.

After years of events, masterminds, and dinners with successful people, here are the skills that actually move the needle:

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Active Listening (Not Just Waiting to Talk)

Most people don't listen - they just wait for their turn to speak. Big mistake.

When someone's talking, shut up and actually listen. Ask follow-up questions that show you were paying attention. "Wait, so when you mentioned that campaign flopped, what do you think went wrong?"

People remember the ones who made them feel heard. Not the ones who talked the most.

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Asking Questions That Actually Matter

Forget "What do you do?" Everyone asks that. Try these instead:

"What's the most interesting project you're working on right now?"

"What's the biggest challenge you're facing in your business?"

"How'd you get into this industry in the first place?"

These questions get people talking about what they actually care about. That's where real connections happen.

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Reading the Room

Is it a casual networking mixer where everyone's drinking and loosening up? Or is it a formal industry dinner where professionalism matters?

Adapt. Match the energy. Don't be the guy making loud jokes at a quiet executive dinner. Don't be the stiff corporate robot at a casual happy hour.

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Building Your Personal Story

You need a 30-second story about yourself that's interesting, memorable, and doesn't sound like a LinkedIn summary.

Mine's the French guy who moved to America and built a freelance business. What's yours?

This ties directly into your overall strategy for freelance platforms and in-person networking - you need a consistent, memorable brand story.

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Giving Without Expecting Anything Back

The best networkers are connectors. They introduce people. They share resources. They give advice without sending an invoice.

Do this enough and opportunities come back to you 10x over. But you can't do it just for the ROI - people can smell that bullshit from a mile away.

These skills take practice. Your first few networking events will probably feel awkward as hell. Mine sure did.

But every event makes you better. Every conversation teaches you something. And eventually, you become that person everyone wants to talk to.

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How to Network at Events and Parties: 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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