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How to make introductions (a networking lesson from Bridget Jones)

February 2, 2015

how to make introductions | A Girl Named PJ

If you follow along on Instagram, you probably figured out that I recently attended Alt Summit. I can’t believe I neglected to mention on the blog that I was going!

This was my fourth Alt Summit conference, my third time in Salt Lake City, and my second time as a speaker. Besides hosting a roundtable on rebranding your blog, I went to Alt to learn more tips and tricks about blogging and to make introductions. A huge part of Alt Summit is networking, or introducing yourself to other bloggers and to brands with whom you’d like to partner.

One of my goals of this particular Alt Summit was to hone my skills as “Connector,” one of three personality types described by Malcolm Gladwell in his bestseller, The Tipping Point. (The other two? Maven and Salesman.)

how to make introductions at Alt Summit | A Girl Named PJ

I’m not sure I’d consider myself a full-fledged Connector. Although I know a relatively large number of people (I scored a 40 on Gladwell’s test!), I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a “knack for making friends” — partly because I often feel very shy in social situations. And I’d never call myself an expert in cultivating connections!

However, in the spirit of being generous (my word for 2015), I made a conscious decision to make as many introductions as I could among the bloggers and brands I knew in attendance.

How to make an introduction (according to Emily Post)

According to Emily Post, there are a few rules to remember when making introductions, but here’s the most important one: When introducing two people, you want to speak to the person you wish to honor first. That includes anyone older than you, anyone senior in rank to you, the guest of honor at an event, or a woman.

Yes, when it comes to the etiquette of introductions, women rank higher than men. Sorry, guys.

Put into practice, a proper introduction might sound something like:

… “Mom, I’d like you to meet my roommate, Stephanie.”

… “Ms. Boss Lady, I’d like to introduce you to my husband, Jordan.”

… “Rachel, this is my friend, Ross Geller.”

how to make introductions at Alt Summit | A Girl Named PJ

How to make an introduction (according to Bridget Jones)

When making introductions at a party, though, I think it’s OK to be more informal. So while introducing blogging friends at Alt Summit, I sort of disregarded Emily Post’s rules and instead focused on including some thoughtful details about each person.

I thought I had read about that technique in an etiquette book or an article about networking, but now I’m pretty sure I lifted it straight out of Bridget Jones’s Diary:

Ah. Introduce people with thoughtful details. Perpetua, this is Mark Darcy. Mark is a prematurely middle-aged prick with a cruel raced ex-wife. Perpetua is a fat-ass old bag who spends her time bossing me around.

In case you aren’t familiar with the book (or the movie, which is one of my favorites) that was actually Bridget’s inner monologue. What she really said out loud was:

Ah, Perpetua. This is Mark Darcy. Mark is a top barrister. Comes from Grafton Underwood. Perpetua is one of my work colleagues.

how to make introductions at Alt Summit | A Girl Named PJ

I’d like you to meet…

Instead of a formal recap of what I learned at Alt, I thought I’d introduce you to a few of the amazing women I met there — with some thoughtful details, of course. Some of them I was meeting for the first time, and some for the first time in person. (As a blogger, I virtually “know” a lot of people.)

Tiffany Han is a business coach for the highly-creative woman who basically radiates positive energy. She also hosts an awesome podcast where she interviews the creative people who inspire her the most. (I’ve previously mentioned “Raise Your Hand Say Yes” in my post about podcasts.)

Megan Tsang is a talented photographer who recently relocated from San Francisco to Alabama. She made kick-ass business cards out of Instax photos, and if she’s ever in the New York City area, I hope we can collaborate!

Gilit Cooper was one of my roommates at The Grand America. She writes a blog called Shoes Off Please, runs a business called The Bannerie, and basically rocks my world. If you’re a boss babe in need of a glitter banner, Gilit is your girl.

My other roommate was Kaylynn Young of Among the Young. With her gorgeous smile and love for everything sequins, the girl literally sparkles. Kaylynn also reps Agnes & Dora, makers of the softest, stretchiest leggings in the world.

Oakley and I met the first night at the Munchkin dinner. Her son, Welles, has Down Syndrome, and she writes about their experiences on Nothing Down About It. I got to meet Welles at the conference, and I can confirm that he’s just as adorable in person as he is on Oakley’s blog!

how to make introductions at Alt Summit | A Girl Named PJ

It’d be impossible to mention all of the talented bloggers, creatives, movers and shakers I met at Alt Summit in one blog post, so be on the look out for more shout-outs in the weeks ahead!

(Photos by Justin Hackworth or Brooke Dennis for Alt Summit)

 

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7COMMENTS | Life

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Let’s Discuss

  1. Meg

    February 2, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    PJ! I’ll be in New York March 4-9. Let’s hang out!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 2, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      I would LOVE that! Let’s email to make some plans.

      Reply
  2. Amye Mae

    February 2, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Love this! Bridget’s advice really is solid 🙂 and I’m so glad you introduced yourself the first morning while we were waiting in line together. Let me attest that you really did abide by the advice you share in this post, and I felt like we connected because of that!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 3, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      That’s so sweet of you to say, Amye! I’m so happy we met at Alt, and I’ll have to let you know the next time I’m down in DC.

      Reply
  3. laura

    February 3, 2015 at 8:05 am

    I would love to attend an Alt Summit – maybe when we move to the US as the UK is a bit far to justify! it sounds amazing and I always try to refer to Bridget Jones in a difficult situation!

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 3, 2015 at 9:26 pm

      Alt isn’t cheap, but it’s definitely worth it! In the past, Alt Summit has offered online versions of their flagship conference. You might want to consider signing up if they hold one this year. It’s still a great way to network and meet new bloggers!

      And I think I need reread Bridget Jones’s Diary for more sage advice!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tis the season to build networks - inside the invited circle - LiveTree says:
    December 24, 2016 at 6:23 am

    […] conversational. And of course I love it when it happens to me. Even more, I love the people who can do it with real style, so that I don’t feel the pressure if it doesn’t work out. I’m sure we’ve all felt the […]

    Reply

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