RoAne's books include How to Work a Room (1988), a self-help guidebook on how to socialize at parties and other events, oriented towards the business community. The 25th Anniversary edition, How To Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Making Lasting Connections In Person and Online, was published in 2013 by William Morrow Paperbacks. The book has sold over a million copies, was number one on Book-of-the-Month Club's list of best-selling nonfiction books in 1990 and has been published internationally.
As a keynote speaker, RoAne has spoken to Fortune 20–500 companies, conventions and presented at universities including University of Chicago, Yale University, NYU, Wharton School of Business, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Stanford University.
She has tied the formalization of rules for social networking to the women's movement, explaining that as women moved into the workforce, in particular beginning in the 1970s, they brought domestic networking skills re-applied to the business environment. For example, in 1988, RoAne described a "Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome" prevalent in women aged over 40 who do not initiate conversations because, as Scarlet said, "We haven't been properly introduced." Also in 1988, RoAne said, "I think women are afraid sometimes of being construed as being too forward".
In 2015, she was named as one of the 25 Professional Networking Experts to Watch in 2015.
Bibliography
RoAne, Susan (2013). How to Work a Room, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Making Lasting Connections—In Person and Online. New York City: William Morrow Paperbacks. ISBN978-0062295347.
RoAne, Susan (2008). Face to Face: How to Reclaim the Personal Touch in a Digital World. New York City: Fireside.
RoAne, Susan (2007). How to Work a Room, Revised Edition: Your Essential Guide to Savvy Socializing. New York City: William Morrow Paperbacks. ISBN978-0061238673.
RoAne, Susan (2003). RoAne's Rules: How to Make the Right Impression: Working the Room, or One-on-One, What to Say and How to Say It. New York City: Macmillan Audio. ISBN978-1559278508.
RoAne, Susan (2001). Networking: Beyond the Buzz Word - Biz Books to Go. New York City: Grand Central Publishing.
↑David Brooks. "How-To Books for Sharks and Dogs". Wall Street Journal (November 8, 1988). Abstract: Book reviews of Susan RoAne's "How to Work a Room: A Guide to Successfully Managing the Mingling" and Job Michael Evans's "The Evans Guide for Civilized City Canines" (Database: ProQuest)
↑Loraine O'Connell. "Women are networking leaders" The Orlando Sentinel (August 12, 1992). Abstract: Susan RoAne, author of the 1988 guide to networking, How To Work a Room, ties the formalization of networking to the rise of the women's movement. (Database: NewsBank)
↑Shirley Armbruster. "'Work The Crowd', Businesswomen Told". Fresno Bee (January 13, 1988). Abstract: Profile of Susan RoAne, book and message. (Database: NewsBank)
↑Craig Wilson. "How to work a party; An expert's advice for successful mingling; Stick out your hand and say `hi'" USA Today (November 7, 1988). Abstract: Profile of Susan RoAne, book and message. (Database: NewsBank)