The Art of Asking Good Questions at Networking Events
If walking into a networking meeting and starting a conversation feels like the hardest part, you’re probably overcomplicating the opening. You don’t need a great line. You need a genuine question. Questions do the heavy lifting. They take the pressure off you to perform, they signal real interest, and they almost always lead somewhere worth going.
Why Questions Work So Well
Most people at networking events are focused on being heard. A question — a real one, not a setup for your own pitch — immediately sets you apart. It says: I’m interested in you, not just waiting for my turn. For introverts especially, questions are a natural entry point. They let you stay in your strength zone: listening, observing, engaging with what’s actually being said rather than performing.
The Best Questions to Ask at a Networking Event
To open a conversation
- "What kind of work are you doing right now that’s taking most of your energy?"
- "What brought you to this group?"
- "How long have you been coming to these meetings?"
To go deeper
- "What does a really good client look like for you?"
- "What’s the biggest challenge in your industry right now?"
- "What are you most excited about in your business this year?"
To find the referral angle
- "Who’s your ideal referral partner?"
- "What’s the best way someone could send work your way?"
- "Is there anyone in the group you’ve been wanting to connect with?"
What Makes a Question Good
It’s open-ended. Yes/no questions close conversations. Open questions open them. “How did you get into this field?” beats “Do you like what you do?” every time. It’s specific enough to be interesting. “What are you working on?” is fine. “What’s taking most of your energy right now?” is better. Specificity signals that you’re actually curious, not just filling space. It’s followed by a real listen. The question is the easy part. The discipline is actually tracking the answer — not nodding while mentally rehearsing your response. It leads to a follow-up. The best conversations happen in layers. The first answer opens a door; the follow-up question walks through it. “That’s interesting — what made you pivot in that direction?” keeps things moving naturally.
At NAP, Questions Are Baked In
Every NAP meeting includes structured one-to-one time — dedicated, focused conversations between two people. It’s the ideal format for question-driven connection. You’re not trying to sneak depth into a surface-level event. The format is explicitly designed for it. We meet weekly in Manchester, Murfreesboro, Nolensville, and Smyrna. Free to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good questions to ask at a networking event? Open-ended questions that invite real answers work best. Try: “What kind of work is taking most of your energy right now?”, “What does your ideal referral partner look like?”, or “What are you most excited about in your business this year?” These go deeper than small talk and signal genuine curiosity. How do introverts start conversations at networking events? With a question. Introverts don’t need to be the one generating energy in a conversation — they need a genuine opening. A good question hands the floor to someone else and creates space to listen, which is where introverts naturally excel. What should I say when networking? Less than you think, and more questions than you’re probably asking. Lead with curiosity about the other person’s work, listen carefully to the answer, and ask a natural follow-up. Your 60-second pitch comes later — after you’ve shown genuine interest in them. How do I get better at networking conversations? Prepare three or four go-to questions before you walk in. Practice asking them until they sound natural. After each conversation, note what you learned — not just what you said. Over time, you’ll develop a feel for which questions open the best conversations in your particular professional community.
You Already Know How to Do This
Genuine curiosity is not a skill you have to manufacture. If you’re actually interested in what people do and why they do it — and most solopreneurs are — that interest is your best networking tool. Let it out through questions. The conversations will take care of themselves. Find your city and RSVP at networkingforawesomepeople.com.
Related: Why Listening Is the Most Underrated Networking Skill · How to Craft a 60-Second Pitch · Networking Event Etiquette