Tech networking events are fun and a great place to meet other like-minded individuals to discuss possible partnerships in a new startup and/or investment opportunities with potential investors.   However, there are many others who come there to meet new friends or even, eligible singles to date.  Nothing is wrong with looking at networking events as an outlet to meet quality singles.  As a matter fact, it should be a perfect place.  Smart and ambitious men and women are quite attractive.  Being smart is the *new* sexy.

What if two people (a business networker and a mingling single on the hunt) have different intentions at a networking event?  It can be somewhat disastrous.  Nevertheless, it’s not a lost cause.  Like any business conversations or deals, you always look for confidence, sincerity, and compatibility in the other individual.  You want to make sure you can work with this person. You want to know if you’re making a wise investment in their startup.  So why not do the same thing when you want to meet someone who you want to potentially date?

If you’re a mingling single on the hunt talking to a business networker at a tech event, you need to portray that same confidence, sincerity, and rapport to the other person as you would when pitching to an investor.  If you don’t, things can be a bit sour.

To illustrate, here’s a recent scenario that happened to yours truly, SV Bachelorette, a frequent business networker at tech events.

[*Please note that names have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.]

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Tech Guy:  Hi, I’m Tech Guy*.  What’s your name?

Me:  I’m SV Bachelorette*.  It’s nice to meet you.

Tech Guy: [Without missing a beat]  Um…I would like to get to know you better.  Um…maybe over lunch, coffee, or dinner?

[A bit surprised with the forward question in such a short amount of time. I’m thinking to myself that he doesn’t even know what I do.  Regardless, I’m willing to go with the flow.]

Me:  Sure.

Tech Guy:  [*Silence*]

Me:  So what would you like to know more about?

[*Pause*  Noticing Tech Guy is gleaming with a huge smile and trying to put on an overdone cool stance. I needed clarification based on his body language and further questioned his intentions.  After all, this is a business networking event.]

Me:  Do you want to know more about me professionally?

Tech Guy:  Well, I can ask you professional questions, but I can also ask you questions that are not professional.

Me: Ok.

[*Silence*  I think I can hear the crickets chirping.]

Tech Guy: [mimicking a cool John Travolta demeanor and tone]  If you give me your number, I may or may not call you.

Me:  [a bit amused]  What? You may or may not call me?

Tech Guy:  [still mimicking the John Travolta stance] Yeah, I may or may not call you.

Me:  Ok.  Well then, do you have Twitter?

Tech Guy: Yeah.

Me:  I’ll make it easy for you, so you don’t have to decide whether you will or will not call me.  You can connect with me on Twitter.  My handle is SVBachelorette*.

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Tech Guy adds me on Twitter and Facebook within a few hours of meeting that night.  He never sent me a message.  It appears as though he wanted to get my contact info for the sake of getting it.  At least with Twitter and Facebook, he can be updated with what’s going on in my life without wondering whether he should or should not call me.

Tech geeks, please don’t let this be you.