Ep8 Conferences & Connections
Your network is your net worth! 💡
In this episode of Legal Light Bulbs, Verity White dives into her whirlwind experience of attending three legal conferences in just four weeks. From the value of in-person connections to tips on presenting authentically (and avoiding ChatGPT clichés), Verity shares practical insights to help legal professionals get the most out of their networking opportunities.
You’ll discover:
Why real-life, in-person connections are still game-changers.
How to ditch the “ChatGPT-isms” for more authentic presentations.
The growing challenge of social atrophy and how to flex your social muscles.
Why hanging around after conferences can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections.
Strategies to make networking less daunting and more impactful for yourself and others.
From casual chats over mocktails to unforgettable post-conference connections, Verity proves that networking doesn’t have to feel forced: it can be fun, authentic, and career-defining.
Ready to recharge your social muscles, ditch the clichés, and connect with confidence? Tune in now for the insider tips you need to make your next event a game-changer! Head to the bottom of this page for a note from Verity about her conferences and learnings.
Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Youtube
"If you can stick around a little bit longer, before and after the conference, you can connect more meaningfully on that social level and just have those little extra side chats. That’s the way you can make so many connections. Don’t book an early flight, don’t schedule an unrelated dinner... stay close to the conference venue and make the time to hang out with people who are obviously like-minded because they’re at the same conference as you."
— Verity White
In Episode 08 of Legal Light Bulbs, Verity takes you behind the scenes at three legal conferences and shares actionable tips to help you build relationships, learn new skills, and combat the challenges of remote-first work environments.
The episode starts at [00:01:00], with Verity explaining why stepping away from your desk and into a room full of like-minded professionals is still one of the best ways to foster meaningful connections. Bonus points if you still use business cards (yes, Verity loves them).
At [00:02:00], Verity talks about the pitfalls of using generative AI tools like ChatGPT for conference presentations. Overused phrases like “here’s the thing” or “the reality is” can feel robotic and cliché, so Verity shares her top tip: speak naturally and focus on your key points—you’re already the expert!
By [00:04:00], Verity unpacks the concept of “social atrophy.” With remote work becoming the norm, many of us have lost touch with our networking confidence. Don’t worry—Verity offers simple ways to rebuild your social skills, whether you're attending events, presenting on stage, or just saying hello to someone new.
From [00:05:00], Verity highlights the magic of sticking around after conferences. Whether it’s at the hotel bar, an after-party, or even just a casual chat in the lobby, those unplanned moments can lead to some of the most valuable connections.
The episode wraps up at [00:07:00], with Verity encouraging listeners to embrace in-person opportunities, present with confidence, and make the time to connect with others.
Key Takeaways
Let’s recap the secrets of the after meeting email:
1. In-person connections are still king
Get off your screen and into the real world. Face-to-face interactions build trust and lasting relationships.
2. Say no to ChatGPT-isms
Skip the overly polished, robotic phrases and focus on speaking from the heart. Let your expertise shine!
3. Rebuild your social muscles
Feeling rusty? Start small: attend events, introduce yourself, and practice connecting with new people.
4. Stay a little longer
Some of the best conversations happen after the sessions. Block time to hang around and deepen your connections.
5. Pay it forward
If you’re great at networking, help someone else. Mentoring or introducing a younger colleague can make all the difference.
Episode Highlights
The Value of Real-Life Networking: Why face-to-face interactions are so powerful and how to make the most of them.
Authentic Presentations: How to present confidently without sounding like a robot.
Overcoming Social Atrophy: Tips to rebuild your confidence in social settings and network like a pro.
Maximising Conference Time: Why sticking around for those informal moments can lead to unexpected opportunities.
💡Legal Light Bulb Moment:
"Your network is your net worth. Online is great, emails are great, video calls are great, but at some point, we do meet people in real life. So let’s also work on meeting people in real life, at real-life events.”
— Verity White
Links & Background
Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Youtube
A note from Verity:
I attended 3 nerdy conferences over 4 weeks... here's what I learnt about connections:
🔹 In person / IRL is still one of the best ways to make meaningful connections and have fun whilst learning!
>>> Great overview article from Nick Burns on how to network if you're a bit rusty or a bit new (and yes... I love business cards too!) : https://lnkd.in/genMM4iD
🔹 For anyone who insists on reading a presentation word for word from a prepared script, 🙏🏼 *please* remove the chatGPT-isms: "The thing is...", "Here's the truth...", "The reality?..."
You'll connect with your audience if you can relax and work from dot point ideas. You almost certainly know your stuff and don't need to read from a script!
🔹 Social atrophy is real! The skill of in-person delivery, discussion, and engagement matters. The difference between people's online personas and in-person approach is becoming very noticeable. It takes practice to build your social muscles... don't skip that supposedly awkward networking, no matter where you are at in your career!
>>> Great article on Social Atrophy by Dr. Sarah Stein Lubrano https://lnkd.in/gc6-tXvd
🔹 Stick around a little bit longer to connect more meaningfully. If you can (and I know everyone has commitments that can make it tricky) block out time after the official conference part ends and hang around for drinks and chats.
Don't book an early flight... don't schedule an unrelated dinner so you have to leave... stay close to the conference venue if you can... Make the most of the time to genuinely talk with like-minded legends at the event you're all interested in.
😎 90s party with Sharyn County and Else Bright CCME
🏛️ Canberra delegation with Elle Jones, Jaymi Matthews, and gang
🏫 Class photo with Elle Jones, Larry Vidal, Simon O'Toole, and Leanne
