Welcome! In this virtual event, you'll hone your networking skills and meet like-minded professionals.

For years, I've been teaching professionals how to have a conversation with someone who they have never met, in a natural way.

While we can't get together in-person to practice, technology now allows us to do this virtually, using a computer and built-in webcam. (Yay for video!)

You'll have an opportunity to practice networking in a friendly environment, with some tips from yours truly. In the process, you'll create connections to great people.

Photo by cogdogblog

Here's how it works:

• You'll join from the comfort of your own office or home, using the Internet, a computer and webcam. (If you have a headset to plug into your computer, you'll have an even better experience in terms of audio sound.)

• When the event starts, you'll see me (Carol) on the screen. I'll give an overview of the hour and short instructions for having fun conversations with other participants.

• You'll be matched with another attendee--automatically--through the magic of a cool platform called YakFirst.com. Even cooler is that by turning on webcams, you'll be able to see each other on video.

• Get to know the other person in a short conversation. A timer on the screen will let you know how much time you have left, before.....

• You are matched with another attendee! And so on, until the hour is almost over.

• Near the end of the hour, you'll see me (Carol) on the screen again. I'll close out the session with a few tips for continuing to practice in your everyday life.

For the best experience:

• You should have a computer with a built-in webcam.

• Join the event 10 minutes before the start, to go through the "technical onboarding" that allows you to participate. You'll be guided through a process of checking out your microphone, etc.

• You should have a LinkedIn account. Participants will be able to see an abbreviated version of a LinkedIn page when they are in conversation with each other.

Okay, while all of this can seem a bit complicated, honestly, this is just about showing up. Show up and I guarantee, you'll be glad you did.