🎃 The Top Ten Scariest Things About Networking (and How to Survive Them)

It’s Halloween in the Lehigh Valley it’s Halloween, and although ghosts and ghouls might roam the streets, your next networking event could bring about real chills. For some, walking into a room filled with unfamiliar people causes greater fear than walking into a haunted house. But fear not, brave networker—this list of the top ten scariest things about networking is here to remind you that even the creepiest encounters can result in sweet success (and perhaps some treats). 

👻 1. Walking Into a Room Full of Strangers 

It is the stuff of social nightmares when you enter a packed room and find yourself not knowing a soul. Your hands start to sweat, your name tag appears skewed, and the cheese platter abruptly becomes your emotional anchor. 

Reality Check: At some point everybody feels this way. Breathe deeply, scan the room, and locate one not-so-scary face. Remember: Even Dracula once had to greet himself. 

🧛‍♂️ 2. The Fear of Awkward Silence 

There it is. You’ve introduced yourself, shared small conversation, and … silence. You can almost hear the crickets or perhaps the soft murmur of “run!” in your head. 

Trick: Have a few “go-to” questions available, such as “What inspired you to attend this event?” or “How do you usually connect with others in the community?” 

Treat: You will appear confident and involved, and the conversation will go faster than a witch on a broomstick. 

🕷️ 3. Forgetting Someone’s Name (Immediately) 

You politely nodded as they simply gave their name, then it vanished into the ethers. Was it Mike? Mark? Mary? Mysterio? 

Confession: You are not alone; this happens to everyone. 

Fix: Repeat their name right away and weave it naturally into dialogue. Alternatively, pull the traditional “Remind me how you spell your name?” (even if it’s Bob.) if all else fails. 

🧟 4. Feeling Like Everyone’s in a Clique 

You look around and everyone appears to be known by everyone else. You suddenly feel as though you have fallen into the Mean Ghouls restaurant. 

Tip: Begin small by listening first to an ongoing chat. Networking isn’t about barging in, it’s about fitting in, then standing out. Remember, every networker was once the new spirit in the room. 

🕯️ 5. The Business Card Graveyard 

You have gathered a small cemetery-full of business cards to bury after the networking event, but will you ever resurrect them? Probably not, unless you have a strategy. 

Resurrection Ritual: Following every event, write a brief note on each card (“met at Chamber mixer,” “loves golf,” “potential partner”) and follow up in 48 hours. Don’t let good connections rest in peace! 

🪞 6. Talking Too Much — or Too Little 

You start strong, then realize you’ve been talking about your business for ten straight minutes. Worse yet, you walk away feeling invisible after scarcely speaking. 

Balance Spell: Aim for the 50/50 rule, half conversing and half listening. Networking is more like a dance than a monologue. Step on too many toes and the magic vanishes fast. 

🧙 7. The Elevator Pitch Panic 

You have rehearsed your ‘elevator pitch’ a hundred times, yet when someone asks, “So, what do you do?” Your mind goes blank like a foggy graveyard at midnight. 

Charm: Keep it conversational and easy going. “By [doing Y], I assist others to achieve X.” Then pause. Let curiosity do the haunting. 

💀 8. Getting “Ghosted” After a Great Chat 

You hit it off, traded cards, even discussed getting coffee … then poof — they disappeared into the mist. 

Reality Bite: People become busy. It’s a fact of life. Don’t take it personally. Connect on LinkedIn or send a friendly follow-up. If they don’t respond, move on. There are lots of spirits around if they don’t answer. 

🕸️ 9. Feeling Like You Have Nothing to Offer 

Imposter syndrome is the monster under the bed. You start to believe everyone else is more connected, smarter, or more successful than you. 

Fact: You are worth something. Whether it’s your experience, your insight, or your sense of humor (like mine, HAHA!), you bring something unique to the table. Networking is about being authentic, not about being the most well-known person in the room. 

🎭 10. The Dreaded Follow-Up 

You made the connection, had a great conversation… now what? Reaching out can feel as scary as knocking on a stranger’s door on Halloween night. 

Best practice: Keep it simple. Reference your conversation (“I really enjoyed talking about your community project”) and suggest next steps. No tricks—just a treat of sincerity. 

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🍬 The Final Word: How to Get Treats, Not Tricks, When Networking 

Networking doesn’t have to be frightening. It’s not about collecting victims — I mean, contacts— but about creating real, lasting connections. When you show up as your authentic self, armed with curiosity and kindness, you’ll find that most “monsters” are just people trying to make connections too. 

So, this Halloween (and every day after), don’t let fear hold you back. Be bold. Step into that room. Smile. Shake hands. Share your story. Because when you approach networking with genuine intent, the rewards are sweet—no tricks required. 

Happy Networking—and Happy Halloween from Network Lehigh Valley! 🎃 
Now go out there and turn your next networking fright into a delightful bite! 

Contact the Author: 

Dale R. Wilson, Sr. 
Community Liaison 

BrightStar Care of Stroudsburg & Allentown  
dale.wilson@brightstarcare.com  |  www.brightstarcare.com/Stroudsburg-Allentown