How to Network at Events Without Feeling Awkward

Almost everyone finds networking uncomfortable at first. Walking into a room full of strangers, trying to look confident while simultaneously wondering what to say and when to say it, is not a natural feeling for most people. But networking is one of the most important professional skills you can develop, and like most skills, it gets significantly easier with practice and the right approach.

Here is a practical guide to networking at events without the awkwardness.

Change How You Think About It

Most networking anxiety comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of what networking actually is. If you walk into a room thinking “I need to impress these people and make them remember me,” you will feel anxious and perform poorly. If you walk in thinking “I am here to have interesting conversations and find out what people are working on,” everything changes.

Networking at its best is simply talking to people with genuine curiosity. It is not a performance. It is not a transaction. It is the beginning of a professional relationship, and like any relationship, it starts with being interested in the other person rather than trying to make them interested in you.

Do Your Homework Before You Arrive

The most confident networkers are usually the most prepared ones. Before any professional event, spend 15 to 20 minutes researching who is likely to be there, what topics will be discussed and what is currently happening in the industry.

If the event has a speaker line-up, read about the speakers. If it is a company-hosted event, know something about the company. If it is an industry conference, be aware of the current debates and developments in that field. Having context for conversations before they start makes it far easier to engage naturally once they do.

Start With the Easy Conversations

You do not need to march up to the most senior person in the room and introduce yourself. Start with whoever is standing nearby, whoever is also standing alone or whoever you happen to make eye contact with. Most people at networking events are in exactly the same situation as you, hoping someone will come and talk to them.

A simple opening is all you need. “How do you know the organisers?” or “Have you been to one of these events before?” or even just “What brings you here today?” are all perfectly good ways to start a conversation. You do not need a clever or impressive opening line.

Ask Good Questions and Actually Listen

The fastest way to be memorable at a networking event is to be genuinely interested in the people you talk to. Ask good questions and then actually listen to the answers rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.

Good questions are open-ended, relevant to the person and invite them to share something real. “What are you working on at the moment?” is better than “What do you do?” “What is the most interesting challenge in your industry right now?” leads to a more interesting conversation than “How long have you been in the industry?”

People remember the people who made them feel heard and interesting. That is far more powerful than any clever pitch about yourself.

Know How to Introduce Yourself

When it is your turn to talk about yourself, keep it clear and concise. Prepare a short version of who you are and what you are working on or studying that you can deliver naturally without it sounding rehearsed.

It does not need to be complicated. “I am studying Sports Management at ESEI Business School in Barcelona and I am particularly interested in events management” is perfectly sufficient. The goal is to give the other person something to respond to, not to deliver a presentation.

Follow Up After the Event

The conversation at the event is only the beginning. The follow-up is where professional relationships are actually built.

Connect with the people you met on LinkedIn the same day, while the conversation is still fresh. Send a personalised message referencing something specific from your conversation. If you said you would send someone an article or a recommendation, do it within 24 hours.

Most people do not follow up after networking events. The ones who do immediately stand out.

Use ESEI Events as Practice

ESEI’s programme of guest speakers, career fairs, learning walks and TEDxESEISchoolBarcelona provides regular opportunities to practise networking in a supportive environment. These events bring real industry professionals into your world and give you a reason to approach them.

Every guest speaker session is a networking opportunity. Every career fair is practice for the real thing. Every learning walk puts you in the same space as working professionals at companies in your target industry. Use them deliberately.

ESEI’s partnership with Barcelona Entrepreneurs through the Be Pro Platform also gives the ESEI community access to one of Barcelona’s largest professional networks, with weekly events, workshops and guest speaker sessions specifically designed for networking and professional growth.

Be Patient With Yourself

Networking is a skill that develops over time. Your first few attempts will probably feel awkward, and that is fine. Every confident networker you admire was once in the same position you are in now.

Go to events regularly, reflect on what worked and what did not, and adjust your approach. With time and practice, what once felt uncomfortable will start to feel natural. And the network you build in the process will be one of the most valuable professional assets you have.