What to Say at a Business Networking Event (Without Feeling Awkward)
Practical, honest guidance for anyone who has ever stood in a networking room wondering what on earth to say.
Is it normal to feel nervous about networking?
Completely — and it is worth saying that clearly, because many people assume that everyone else in the room is confident and comfortable and that they are the only one feeling uncertain. They are not. The nervousness that most people feel walking into a networking event for the first time — or the fifteenth time — is almost universal.
The group's own guidance at that networking group in Buckingham says it simply: fear is OK. We all feel it. Just be yourself, be helpful, and enjoy it. That is not a platitude — it is a genuine description of what works. The business owners who do best at networking are rarely the most extrovert or the most polished. They are the ones who are most genuinely present and most clearly interested in the people they meet.
With that said, knowing what to say — and what not to say — makes every conversation easier. This guide gives you exactly that.
How to introduce yourself at a networking event
The most important thing about a networking introduction is that it should be clear and specific, not impressive-sounding. Business owners who try to sound sophisticated tend to confuse people. Business owners who simply explain what they do, plainly and directly, are remembered.
A good introduction answers four questions:
Who are you? Your name and your business name.
What do you do? In plain English — not your job title, but what you actually do day to day.
Who do you help? This is the most important part. Be specific. 'I help small businesses' tells no one anything. 'I help Buckinghamshire manufacturing businesses manage their employment contracts and HR compliance' tells everyone exactly who to refer you to.
What does a good connection look like for you? If someone could make one introduction on your behalf after this meeting, what should it be?
Putting it together, a well-constructed introduction sounds something like this: 'I am Sarah, I run a bookkeeping practice called Clear Accounts. I work mostly with small professional services businesses in Buckinghamshire — typically between two and twenty staff — who want their finances in order without having to manage a full-time finance function. The best introduction anyone could make for me is to a business owner who is currently using a spreadsheet and a prayer to manage their accounts.' That is specific, honest, and immediately useful.
The best conversation openers at a networking event
'What do you do?' is the standard opener at most networking events, and it is fine — but it is also the one question everyone has a rehearsed answer for, and it rarely leads to the most interesting conversations. Here are some alternatives that tend to open more genuine dialogue:
'What is keeping you busiest at the moment?' — invites a real answer rather than a pitch.
'How long have you been coming to this group?' — an easy opener for an existing member who can share their experience.
'What kinds of businesses do you tend to work with?' — more specific and more useful than 'what do you do'.
'Have you had any interesting conversations this morning?' — relaxed, human, and tends to produce genuine responses.
'What is going well for your business right now?' — a positive framing that puts people at ease.
The goal of any opener is simply to start a conversation — not to pitch your business, not to qualify a lead, and not to establish hierarchy. Just to talk. The commercial relevance of the conversation reveals itself naturally when two people are genuinely engaged.
What not to say at a networking event
A few habits reliably kill networking conversations before they start:
Pitching immediately
Walking up to someone and launching straight into a sales pitch — before you know anything about them, their business, or their needs — is the networking equivalent of proposing on a first date. People feel sold at, not connected to, and the conversation ends quickly. Ask first. Listen. Pitch only if it becomes relevant.
Name-dropping and one-upmanship
Networking rooms occasionally attract people who seem to be primarily interested in establishing how successful they are. This is, almost without exception, counterproductive. The most commercially successful people in any networking group tend to be the most genuinely humble — because they have nothing to prove and everything to gain from making others feel good.
Monopolising one person's time
If a conversation is going well, it is tempting to stay in it for the entire session. Resist this — particularly if you are a guest. The purpose of a networking meeting is to meet multiple people, not to have a 90-minute conversation with one person you already get on with. Book a one-to-one to continue the conversation, and use the meeting to make additional connections.
Talking about your business without listening to theirs
The rule of thumb is simple: spend at least as much of any networking conversation listening as talking. Most people are not natural listeners in formal social settings — which means genuine listening is distinctive, memorable, and powerful.
How to handle a lull in the conversation
Every conversation has moments where it briefly stalls. The most useful response is to ask another question — specifically, one that shows you were paying attention. 'You mentioned earlier that you work mainly with family-run businesses — how did you come to focus on that particular market?' Returning to something the other person said earlier signals that you were genuinely listening, and almost always reignites the conversation.
If the conversation has simply run its course, it is entirely acceptable to say: 'I am going to make sure I say hello to a few other people before we sit down — it was really useful to meet you. Can we book a quick one-to-one this week?' This is gracious, professionally handled, and almost always leads to a positive response.
What to say after the meeting
The conversation does not end when the meeting does. A short follow-up email sent within 24 to 48 hours of the meeting is one of the most powerful and most underused tools in networking. Reference something specific from your conversation — not a generic 'great to meet you' — and either propose a one-to-one or simply keep the connection warm with something useful.
If you met someone you would like to know better, say so directly: 'I really enjoyed our conversation about HR compliance this morning — I think we might be able to help some of the same clients. Would you be open to a 20-minute call next week?' Direct, specific, and much more likely to produce a response than a vague 'let us keep in touch'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I say when I introduce myself at a networking event?
State your name, your business, who you help, and what a good referral looks like for you — in plain, specific language. Avoid jargon and avoid being vague. 'I help small businesses' is too broad to be useful. 'I help north Buckinghamshire retailers manage their VAT returns and annual accounts' is specific enough to be memorable and actionable.
How long should a networking introduction be?
Between 60 and 90 seconds. Most structured networking groups — including that networking group in Buckingham — use a 90-second format, which is enough time to communicate clearly without losing the room's attention. Practise until you can deliver it naturally within the time limit.
What if I go blank during my pitch?
Pause, take a breath, and start again from the beginning. Most groups are sympathetic — everyone has had the same experience. Practising your pitch regularly makes blanking much less likely; writing down the four key points and reviewing them before the meeting acts as a safety net.
How do I end a conversation at a networking event without being rude?
A straightforward and professional exit is always appropriate: 'It has been really useful to meet you — I want to make sure I say hello to a few other people before we sit down. Can I follow up with you this week?' This is gracious, clear, and almost always well-received.
Is it OK to be nervous at a networking event?
Completely. Most people are — even the ones who look perfectly at ease. The nervousness typically fades after the first few conversations. At that networking group in Buckingham, the meeting format and the warmth of the group are specifically designed to make first-timers feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.
Want to practise these skills in a genuinely welcoming environment?
that networking group meets monthly at Buckingham Golf Club — a relaxed, structured, and friendly setting where first-time networkers are actively made to feel welcome. To attend an Open meeting as a guest please get in contact.