20 Best Professional Networking Conversation Starters

We are writing this blog because we help introverts network at events with icebreaker activities. Here are the best networking conversation starters from networking at 200+ events.

This is how to start a conversation with a stranger at any of the following events.

• What project are you most proud of working on recently?
• What’s something about your role people might not realize?
• What’s one thing you’ve learned recently on the job?
• What’s a work habit that’s helped you avoid burnout?
• What helps you stay focused or productive at work?

• Why do people tend to succeed in your company or field?
• Why do people stay, and why do they leave?
• How do you support learning and development early on?
• Why did you personally choose this company or industry?
• When was the last time you saw the impact your work had on real people’s lives?

• Why is the problem you’re working on important to you personally?
• How did you end up on the path you’re on right now?
• Do you have a belief you once held closely, and let go of?
• Why did you decide this event was worth your time?
• How does the work you do actually change things for the people you help?

• Why do you think people are drawn to you?
• Why did you decide to come out tonight instead of staying in?
• Why does that hobby or interest mean so much to you?
• What is the most important decision they’re facing in their life right now is.
• What’s a hidden talent you have?

There’s only one way to introduce yourself: do it in a way that makes you unique. There’s no benefit to introducing yourself like everyone else does. Here’s how I introduce myself, broken down into a formula:

Focus on the outcome you deliver through your role or your business.

Do not introduce yourself by what you do. Nobody cares about what you do—they care about the impact you create.

Now you try:

Hi. I’m [name]. I help [target demographic] [achieve their goals].

For example:

• Hi, I’m Sarah. I help first-time founders turn ideas into paying customers.
• Hi, I’m Alex. I help busy professionals get in shape without giving up their social life.
• Hi, I’m Jordan. I help small businesses get more customers online.

Most people make the mistake of introducing themselves by their role or what they do. Here are some bad examples to avoid:

• Hi, I’m John. I’m a software engineer.
• Hi, I’m Lisa. I work in marketing.
• I’m Kevin. I’m a real estate agent.
• Hi, I’m Amanda. I’m a student at the university.
• Hi, I’m Mike. I run an AI agentic startup.

Focus on the outcome you create, not on what you actually do.

People will get intrigued and wonder, “How do you really help people do that?” Then you can share how you do it. Introducing yourself this way sparks curiosity because most others don’t do it.

Hi, I’m Melvin, and I help introverts advance in their careers and businesses.

Now, what I actually do is I created an app, Jam Bingo, that breaks the ice at networking events.

The outcome of what I do is this: it helps introverts advance in their careers and businesses.

Not everyone you meet is your customer or interested in what you do. Most people you meet at networking events will fall into three categories:

• Leads/Prospects
• Helpers
• Cheerleaders

Let’s talk about the three categories of people you’ll meet at any event.

These are people who love what you do or the product you offer. What separates them from prospects or leads is that they don’t have the problem or need for your services. However, they see the value in what you do and will talk about you to others.

They will say good things about you, even when you’re not in the room. These people are your cheerleaders.

These are not your leads or prospects. They could be past clients, but they are people who will be crucial in connecting you with the right contacts. They are your helpers—they’ll be the ones to open doors that would otherwise take time to unlock.

Leads are people who could use your product or services. Prospects are people who will likely buy your product or services because you’ve qualified them based on your system. Clients are people who’ve purchased your product or services in the past.

If you have a lead or prospect, the next step is to book a meeting with them right then and there. Only book a meeting if they express genuine interest in your product or services. It is very important to have a qualification metric. You don’t want to waste your time or theirs booking meetings with anyone who shows only a sliver of interest. They must have the problem you are solving.

Do not, absolutely do not, give them your business card. At the very least, you should collect their business card or contact information.

At best, you book a meeting with them on the spot, as this will make things easier going forward.

It’s important to know who’s who when making these connections. Do not, again, do not sell to everyone. You should only sell or pitch after confirming that people have the problem you solve, and the best way to find out is to ask.

It’s also possible that people you connect with may not be very relevant today, but six months or six years from now, they could be very important. People don’t stay fixed in the three categories, but move in and out of them over time.

Jam Bingo Icebreaker is an ice breaker activity by JamSocial that helps people at in-person events get to know each other through fun conversation starters.

It sparks conversations by giving people a natural reason to connect.