You’re an introvert and you suddenly realize networking isn’t an option. Maybe you’re a small business owner and you need to meet new people to grow your business. Maybe your boss wants you to attend some networking events to gain additional visibility for the company. Or perhaps your significant other is dragging you to a social gathering where you’ll be surrounded by people you don’t know. Whatever the case, relax. You can do it and you can do it well. And you just might have some fun in the process!
A Little Background
By definition, an introvert is someone who is shy and primarily concerned with his or her own thoughts or feelings. Being introverted is neither good nor bad. It just is. It’s like being a brunette or a red head.
If you’re an Introvert, you can be just as effective as extraverts when meeting new people. You simply must be more intentional in order to overcome that natural shyness. At the end of such an experience, you may feel drained and in need of recharging your batteries. Fortunately, this can be accomplished by spending time alone or with a very small group of trusted people.
Introverts process internally. They may rehearse ahead of time what they will say to others, whether it’s for a formal presentation or a phone call to a friend. They also want to know what to expect in a given situation. With that in mind, you may find the following networking tips helpful.
A Baker’s Dozen
- Be positive. Successful networking starts with your attitude. Don’t worry so much about your own shyness or sense of fear. Instead focus on the other person and getting to know him or her.
- Plan early. If it will put your mind at ease, find the location ahead of time so you know where you’re going and can get a feel for the lay of the land. Doing so will eliminate your need to arrive so early that you end up being the first one there. Not fun at a networking event.
- Smile.
- Make and keep eye contact.
Extend your hand. A good handshake (web-to-web, firm but not ironclad, and no excessive pumping) is always appropriate.- Ask open-ended questions (questions that result in conversation rather than yes/no answers) to uncover common interests and experiences.
- Speak up. Since the introvert is naturally shy, the tendency is to speak softly. Be sure to enunciate your words clearly and speak loudly enough for the other person to hear you. Be intentional about this!
- Have a partner. If possible, attend networking events with someone you know. You can tag team one another and when necessary, your partner can help facilitate conversation or rescue you in an uncomfortable situation.
- Be mobile. Once you find a comfortable conversation, it’s tempting to stay there for the entire event. Move around the room and be sure to meet at least three different people. Afterall, that’s the whole point of networking events - to meet new people.
- Exchange business cards. Once introductions are made, ask for the other person’s business card and offer your own. Pay attention to the card details/design and if appropriate, comment about it.
- Make notes. After the conversation is finished or the event is over, make a few notes on the back of the business card to help you remember items discussed.
- Track the data. Once you leave the event, enter the contact information into your contact management system (Outlook, entourage, ACT! or even gmail). Include the notes you wrote on the back of the card and any additional thoughts.
- Follow up. Depending on the desired outcome, send a note, an email or give the person a call. Be sure to include comments pertinent to your conversation. Schedule calendar appointments or tasks for additional follow up at regular intervals - 3 months, 6 months, a year, etc.
Tomorrow I’ll post a list of open ended questions and conversation starters that I’ve found helpful when getting to know new people. Today, I want to leave you with a couple of questions about your own networking experiences.
What networking tips have you found to be helpful? How is networking in person the same or different from networking online?