Before long, you will find yourself at an awards bash, seminar, company picnic, or the boss’s pool party. Many people will be there, but you may know only a few. It’s time to mingle.

In her book How to Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Savvy Socializing in Person and Online (Collins), Susan RoAne says that at a meeting or convention, you already have something in common with everyone attending. Focus your initial conversation on the event, the venue (location, food, entertainment), the sponsor, and the workshops.

Jeanne Martinet, author of The Art of Mingling: Easy, Fun, and Proven Techniques for Mastering Any Room (Audio Editions) (St. Martin’s Griffin), says the optimum mingle time is 5 to 15 minutes with any individual or group. After that, find a good excuse to break away, then focus on someone else.

When deciding who to approach, ask yourself who you would like to know a little better or who it is you want to know you better. And who do you want to get a favor from in the future?

If you value your status in an organization, realize that attending a party or picnic is not optional. Forget being busy, that you won’t know people, or that you don’t know what to wear. The three must-attends are for client invitations, the boss’s invitation, and the company party or picnic.

Having someone to talk to at private parties and weddings is a little different. Martinet says some of the most fascinating people in the world are severely socially challenged. Find someone who is not involved with others and start a conversation.

Use risk-free lines such as “What was your day like today?” Or ” How do you know the host/hostess?” Never ask strangers what they do for a living. They could feel they have boring jobs, jobs that are very difficult to describe, or they may be between jobs.

At a nearly-empty party, make a connection with the host by lending a hand in the kitchen. At a very crowded party, the crowd is the conversation starter. No one will notice if you leave early.