You probably know this by now: I’m highly introverted.

But in business, there are things I must do despite the fact that they don’t come naturally. Speaking. Creating content. Networking. While, yes, sometimes these things can feel draining, they’re essential to growing our businesses and building relationships.

That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Nick Gray, the mastermind behind hosting successful events and making meaningful connections. He’s the author of The 2-Hour Cocktail Party and has built his career around bringing people together—even when it doesn’t feel natural.

In this episode, Nick shares tips that can make events and networking less overwhelming, especially for introverts like me.

Click PLAY to hear all of this and…

(00:00:00) How to host parties and network (even when you’re an introvert.)

(00:02:01) The struggles I face with mingling at events and feeling awkward in social settings.

(00:04:42) Nick’s advice on leaving events discreetly (AKA The Irish Exit.)

(00:05:29) Doing this ONE thing helps introverts feel more comfortable at events and parties.

00:08:52) How Nick grew his museum tour business.

(00:11:59) How I REALLY felt hosting my team for a Christmas party.

(00:14:26) Nick’s brilliant advice about what to prioritize during a party or event.

(00:16:11) What the best time to make a connection at a conference is.

(00:32:40) Nick’s tips on how to create connections as the host of an event.

(00:37:08) The BEST way to make an introduction to someone.

(00:40:40) An overview of Nick’s business model and revenue streams.

(00:46:09) Nick’s storytelling techniques.

(00:48:57) The significance of audience reactions during live events versus online content.

(00:50:04) The complexities of sharing personal experiences with online audiences.

(00:54:10) Nick’s checklist of essential tasks to complete before hosting an event.

For full show notes, visit jasminestar.com/podcast/episode501

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Create More Meaningful Relationships in Business
• Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: How You Can Develop, Practice, and Improve It
• [9 min] Embracing Feedback to Grow Personally and Professionally

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Nametags (Nick Recommended)