Episode 109

full
Published on:

31st Jul 2023

The Secrets to Hosting a Successful Networking Party | E109 Nick Gray

We’ve all been to one: loud music, people huddled in clicks, and little to no guidance from the host. I’m talking about poorly run networking events. The kind of events that spike the anxiety of us introverts and solo attendees.

But nobody wants to throw a bad event. The host wants to make sure everyone is having a good time and leaves having made meaningful connections. The problem is that nobody taught us how to throw a great networking party.


That was until Nick Gray wrote The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, a step-by-step handbook that teaches you how to build big relationships by hosting small gatherings.


Nick is a firm believer that hosting these simple, lightweight gatherings will accelerate your network. And he’s given us the playbook for how to do just that.


In this conversation, we cover how to make sure people show up, 4 secrets for hosting a great event, and how to politely kick people out at the end of your party. Nick also gives me an answer for the perfect number of attendees and the best day of the week to host your networking party.


And actually, since this recording, I’ve been to two cocktail parties that used Nick’s book to host their event, and they have both been far superior to the typical networking events. But they weren’t flashy events with paid bartenders, catering, and a DJ, no they were well-run events and a great use of my time. I met a lot of incredible people and left feeling excited to continue those conversations.


If you want to expand your network and know how to throw a simple yet amazing networking event, this is the episode for you.


Key Takeaways:

  • Why hosting consistent, small gatherings is the ultimate networking tool
  • NICK: 4 secrets for hosting a great event
  • The importance of name tags even when you know everyone at the event
  • How to run icebreakers and an easy example to use at your event
  • Why you shouldn’t host dinner parties
  • The perfect number of attendees to have
  • How to politely kick people out
  • The perfect day of the week to host your networking party
  • Nick’s recommendation for event-hosting platforms
  • How to ensure people show up to your party
  • When to send and what to include in your reminder communication


Mentions:

Nick’s event hosting platform recommendations: Partiful (https://partiful.com/) and Mixily (https://www.mixily.com/)


More of Nick:

The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings: https://www.amazon.com/2-Hour-Cocktail-Party-Relationships-Gatherings-ebook/dp/B0B2KW6T7J

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickgraynews


More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Show artwork for FI Minded - Financial Independence Without the Extremes

About the Podcast

FI Minded - Financial Independence Without the Extremes
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Pursuing financial freedom, a work-optional lifestyle, or early retirement often leads to the same questions: “one more year,” “do I have enough?” “what does life actually look like after this?”

FI Minded helps you think like someone who’s already financially independent so you can make smarter decisions about how you work, spend, and live.

From Coast FI and Slow FI to lifestyle design, career transitions, healthcare, and self-employment, each episode explores the real decisions behind building a flexible, work-optional life…without burnout, over-optimization, or missing out along the way.

We cover:
* Smarter ways to reach financial independence (without burnout)
* Designing a flexible, work-optional lifestyle
* Coast FI, Slow FI, and enjoying your time along the way
* What life actually looks like after FI (and how to prepare for it)
* The tradeoffs behind big money decisions

Make progress toward financial independence while actually living your life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money), Fritz Gilbert (Retirement Manifesto), and and others helping you rethink how to approach financial independence.
Support This Show