You’re here because you were promised there would be no speakers, no “structured speed networking” (whatever that nightmare is), and, most importantly, no one would corner you with a pivot-table presentation 45 seconds after meeting.
You’re going to BASHH because we all agreed to take a shower, be a grownup for a night, and go to the obligatory networking. We just want to hang out, have a beer, and meet other humans in Austin tech (and creative and marketing and… whatever other weird title you’re sportin’ this week).
But the programming runs deep. We get it. Sometimes, you just freeze. And the only script you know is: “So, what do you do?”
Stop. Please don’t do that. That’s a transactional conversation. You’re asking for their job-description-based value before you’ve even asked if they have a dog. A DOG.
Instead, use BASHH for what it’s actually for: Relationship capital, not lead gen. Here are 10 scripts that are 100x better than asking about a job.
Contextual conversation starters:
“Did you come with people, or did you make the brave solo pilgrimage?”
“Is it just me, or did half of Austin suddenly decide to show up here tonight?”
“I’m on a self-guided tour. Is this corner of the room cooler or warmer than the one over there?”
“How did you hear about BASHH?”
The “I’m human” angle:
“What’s the best non-work thing that’s happened to you in Austin this month?”
“If you couldn’t tell me your job title, how would you describe how you spend your day?”
“What is the weirdest or most specific hobby you have that has absolutely zero connection to your paycheck?”
“I’m looking for new [music/podcasts/restaurants]. What’s the last thing you recommended to a friend?”
The “total honesty” route:
“I’m totally socialized out from the week, but I made myself come anyway. How’s your battery?”
“I made a goal to talk to three people. You are number one. Shall we skip the elevator pitch and just talk about… I don’t know, tacos?”
Everyone’s been there
We’ve all been trapped by the person who is overly and insincerely “excited” to be networking, bouncing from circle to circle. Don’t be that person. BASHH works because we’ve spent years protecting this space from the “What can you do for me?” crowd. Use these scripts to find out who someone actually is, not just what their company pays them to do (or don’t, we’re not your real dad).
If you happen to talk shop later? Great. If you just spend twenty minutes debating conspiracy theories or chili recipes? Even better.
Just be a person. If you can have a conversation for 15 minutes without finding out someone’s job title, you win BASHH. We’ll see you at the next one.
PS: The image above was created with Google Gemini, and we’re using it because it’s more hilarious every time you look at it. “EST. AUSTIN.”!? What!? Do all attendees wear thick black glasses? Are only two women allowed to attend at any time? Hilarious.
