I recently hosted 4.21.2018- a social mixer and dance party to connect friends and it was a huge hit! Over 200 guests and good energy all night long! I was so fortunate to be able to host the event as party of the sneak peek weekend lineup at the brand new lounge at Pazzo Uptown! The restaurant is now open, and the lounge will have it's grand opening for the public on May 18th. I love hosting events to connect people, but I know that large events are a nightmare for a lot of my friends who are shy or have social anxiety! I HATE to hear that friends won't come because they get overwhelmed by that many people or not knowing enough people to talk to, when the whole point of a mixer is to mix it up and meet new people! Occasionally, I'll get hit with a little bit of social anxiety, but usually I light up at events and go full speed ahead, especially if there's a disco ball cup in my hand! ;)
So today, let's talk about a few tips that I give people who tell me they are nervous to come to an event or that they get anxious at parties. I would love to hear your top tips as well, so comment below or on Insta and let me know your best social secrets!
I love lists, so to keep things simple, I'm giving you a nice neat list of 3 ways to prep yourself and enjoy the next event you're invited to!
1. Meet the host!
If you can, try to meet the host before party day! As a host, my number one priority is to make sure that my guests are having a great time and feel welcome and comfortable at my event. (If the event host doesn't care about the guest experience, don't go to the event!) If you know the host, you know EVERYONE! It shouldn't be a secret that the host is your key to the party... the host will know the majority of the guest list and can easily facilitate introductions with other guests. If you're not able to meet the host ahead of time, be sure to introduce yourself at the party. Do a little social media creeping and find out who they are, why they're hosting the event, and be sure to get a few minutes on the books chatting with the host. TAKE A SELFIE or have someone take a photo of you two on your phone so you can tag them later and solidify the meeting! I always love seeing a photo tagged with someone I met at an event and I'm much more likely to connect with them on social media if we aren't already friends. How do you get facetime with the host at a busy event?....
2. Arrive on time
Normally, I'm a huge proponent of arriving "fashionably late" BUT if you've never met the host or are nervous about the event, then get there right on time or only slightly late. ("but Rhonda, people will think I'm weird if I show up on time"...nobody will be there to see you!) Arriving on time is the BEST way to guarantee face time with the host; introduce yourself, connect on social media, take a photo, and ask to be introduced to other guests! Be specific- are you there to meet new gal pals? Potential love connections? Tell the host why you're there and ask for what you want!
It is much easier to walk into a room of three people and introduce yourself than into a room of 300 people! Arrive early to meet a few people right off the bat. Those people instantly become your safe zone for the rest of the evening. Tell them you're nervous and ask for help meeting people- odds are they'll be glad to have someone who's in the same boat as they are and you'll have a new friend. PS. Scope out the location of the restroom immediately to avoid potentially taking a wrong turn later into the broom closet, kitchen or someone's bedroom at a house party!
3. Look good!
Really, Rhonda? YEP! I don't mean "look good so people will like you" although it doesn't hurt! I mean "LOOK GOOD SO YOU FEEL GOOD!" Buy the new dress, get your makeup done...Men: wear a jacket! Wear something that makes you feel good. If you feel good about the way you look, it will be make you come across as confident and that is attractive! When you feel confident in the way you look, it is obvious and people respond to that by wanting to be around you. Nobody likes to be around a person who is insecure, always putting themselves down or fishing for compliments. Confidence = new friends! I love dressing up and usually have a dress code at my events for this exact reason; I give people an excuse to dress up, feel good, and make new connections.
If you do these three things, I know you'll have a much better experience at your next social event- promise! I've hosted a lot of events, introduced a lot of friends, and my events have been the starting point of a lot of relationships, so I feel pretty good about these tips! ;) You're welcome!
