Looking for some tips for Christmas networking events ahead of the festive season? MYP is here to help. We like to think that we know a thing or two about networking after more than a decade of running some of the most popular networking events in Manchester.
December always brings a packed social calendar, with Christmas parties, catch-ups, wrap-ups and of course – networking events. In this insider’s guide, we’ll take you through some expert tips on how to make the best of the social opportunities of the festive season.
Our top Christmas networking tips
If the thought of walking into a room full of strangers makes you feel nervous, you’re not alone. Even seasoned networkers aren’t immune to it. The good news is that at this time of year, events tend to be more relaxed, with everyone in high spirits and more open to chat. This makes it a great time to get in some networking.
That’s why we’ve put together some essential tips to help you make the most of your Christmas networking opportunities.
Set yourself a target
If you’re an introvert or just find networking tricky, it can help to set yourself a fixed number of connections you’d like to make in an evening. Challenge yourself to have a conversation with 3 new people in which you find out who they are and what they do.
Having a clear goal can make the experience feel more manageable and give you a sense of achievement when you reach it. Plus, bear in mind that 3 meaningful conversations are worth far more than ten rushed introductions.
Remember to listen
If you’re feeling daunted about what you’ll say to someone you don’t know, try not to panic. Just ask the kind of questions you’d want to be asked if someone was trying to get to know you. Ask about their career but also about their interests and personal life too.
It might be tough at first but try to avoid filling the silence with nervous chatter and really listen to what the other person is saying. Use active listening to demonstrate that you’re hearing what they say and then use their responses as a springboard for your next question.
Do this and you’ll find you get to someone on a less superficial level.
Follow the 24-hour rule
Exchange details and follow up with your new connections within 24 hours of meeting them. Strike while they still remember meeting you and the conversation you had is fresh in their minds. Use details that you talked about to remind them of your chat and make your message personal.
It might only take a minute or two, but personalising your message and thanking them for their time can go a long way to building goodwill with a new connection.
Use social media to create a bond
Whether you mention someone in a LinkedIn post about the event you attended or tag them in a photo from the venue, social media can help to cement new connections. That quick post-event interaction keeps the conversation going and shows you valued meeting them. Plus, it gives you both a natural way to stay in touch and see what each other is up to professionally once you follow each other.
Don’t dismiss colleagues
You don’t necessarily need to be at a strictly networking event to make new connections. Use the office Christmas party or other festive social events to reach out to people in your company who you haven’t had the chance to properly interact with before.
These internal connections can be just as valuable as external ones – they might lead to unexpected cross-department collaborations, mentoring opportunities, or insights into different areas of the business. Plus, the relaxed atmosphere of a Christmas party makes it easier to strike up conversations with senior team members who might usually seem less approachable.
Build a circle of peers
If you’re unsure who to speak to or which connections to prioritise, a great place to start is by building your circle of peers. These are people who are in a similar career stage to you and are typically in a similar sector type or job role.
The idea here is that it’s not just you who will learn and grow your career. These peers are the people who will grow alongside you and may be able to offer valuable advice, ideas, connections and even job opportunities down the road.
Cast your net wide
On the flip side, while you might have some goals in mind about the kind of people you’d like to meet at a networking event, don’t let it stop you from mixing with people who are different from you.
Networking is a brilliant way to make connections with people in different sectors, job roles and seniority levels. Their insights can broaden your perspective and network, giving you fresh new ideas. MYP events are designed to connect with people from multiple industries, allowing you to cast your net wide.
Hear it from an expert
Manchester Young Professionals founder Rich Tyrrell might have been to more networking events in Manchester than anyone – having been planning and running them for Manchester’s young professional community for 10+ years.
We asked him for his number one tip for what to focus on when attending a networking event, and here’s what he told us.
“Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about creating genuine relationships. Be curious, listen more than you speak, and look for ways to add value to others—you’ll build connections that truly matter.”
– Rich Tyrrell, MYP founder
Join MYP’s Christmas networking events
Looking to put these tips into practice? Our December calendar is packed with Christmas networking events in Manchester – from festive drinks hours and casual padel sessions to intimate supper clubs.
Head to our upcoming events page to find your perfect end-of-year event, or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn where we share extra networking tips and event highlights from our Manchester community of young professionals.
