Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

BASHHBASHH

BASHH Event

Why you shouldn’t network at BASHH like other networking events

BASHH isn’t like other networking events, so why use the same tactics when you attend? Here’s some slightly counter-intuitive advice for ya…

BASHH laughter

When you do a quick search for advice on networking, you’ll see tons of great advice, ranging from how to dress to how to behave and how to prepare. That advice is all well and good for most networking events, but not always for the Big Ass Social Happy Hour (BASHH).

Why? Because we’re different.

Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard it all before, but this time it’s really true. Most networking events have all sorts of activities – speakers, raffles, games, you name it. And those work tremendously well for those events, but when you gather a bunch of tech folks, we’re a cynical bunch and tend to roll our eyes at those kinds of things.

So I wanted to share a key piece of advice for going to BASHH, especially for your first time. Just go. That’s the entire advice.

Don’t do homework in advance and research who all is going. Don’t practice your elevator pitch. Just go.

Now I realize this contradicts all advice others (and even we) have given about networking, but this is how BASHH differs.

The networking you’ll experience in the chill environment of a brewery is organic. Far more organic than you would expect.

Strangers sit next to each other and just start chatting (which to me is intimidating, but I can muster it for a few hours each month).

What does an entry level UX designer have in common with a senior level back end developer and an ad agency owner? Well, let’s sit together with a drink and find out!

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

At BASHH, we’re more likely to talk about Austin topics or gardening or ghosts or hobbies than work.

Sure, work comes up – we’re here to network. But we’re more likely to chit chat about life outside of work to find our commonalities.

Those commonalities have forged hundreds of meaningful friendships in Austin, crafted co-founding opportunities, conversations that have led to promotions, moments that have organically solved local challenges.

I want to personally invite you to come join us with no preparation in mind, no pitch, no targets, just come make organic connections and see where it takes you without the pressure of “networking.”

Lani is the COO and News Director at The American Genius, has co-authored a book, co-founded BASHH, Austin Digital Jobs, Remote Digital Jobs, and is a seasoned business writer and editorialist with a penchant for the irreverent.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AdBlocker Message

Our website is kept FREE to you by displaying online ads to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker OR subscribing to our event alerts: https://theamericangenius.com/bashh/subscribe/
Advertisement

Get event alerts!

Subscribe to the BASHH email list for event updates

More Big Ass Goodness:

BASHH Event

We’ve had an odd history with scheduling BASHH in recent years. For those following, you know we took a lot of heat cancelling events...

BASHH Event

BASHH is goin' down in a brewery up North, so there's free parking and a food truck to go with the updated BASHH vibe!

BASHH Event

BASHH is back and we're leaving downtown - here's where we're headed and how we'll do it. Yeehaw!

BASHH

We'll be back... here's why it might take longer for us to gather than other networking events.

BASHH Event

Knowing what to expect at an event can sure call pre-event jitters, so let's walk through an average BASHH night.

BASHH Event

BASHH has been around for over a decade, offering creative options for companies seeking to meet the best and brightest in the industry.

Advertisement

The Big Ass Social Happy Hour is our monthly networking event offline, and is beloved for being casual and no-pressure. Because we hate smarmy networking events, we built a monthly gathering for like-minded business professionals to mingle without being hard sold anything. It’s well known for being the birthplace of many startups, inspired many partnerships, and endless business opportunities (all over a beer). The American Genius, LLC Copyright © 2005-2022