5 Networking Tips for Introverts

If you're serious about your career (corporate or not) or business venture, you will need networking.

Why Introverts Struggle at Networking

Introverts are more comfortable with their inner thoughts and ideas.

You may be an introvert if you:

• Prefer working solo than in groups
• Have few close friends
• Need quiet time to work
• Are reflective and self-aware

Bonus: if you're like me and people keep asking "are you okay?" while you're in the party.

Why Networking Matters

Network > Networth

If you're serious about your career (corporate or not) or business venture, you will need networking to:

?? Exchange Ideas

You learn by listening to other people. Whether it's industry trends or the next big political move to shake the country, this information can be highly valuable.

?? Improve your personal brand.

Become more visible and elevate your profile. Whether you're aspiring in your career or building a business, no one is going to invest in you if they don't know you event exist.

?? Build connections.

No man is an island. Many successful people have utliized their connections to find the next business partner, promotions, or mentor.

?? Find hidden opportunities.

Have you submitted 100x job applications and gotten rejected? Try a different approach. Several opportunities that exist offline and F2F events allow you to standout.

Networking Tips for Introverts

?? Set goals before the event

Ask yourself what you want to achieve during the session:

• Whom do you want to talk to?
• How many potential connections?
• Which industries?
• What kind of professionals?

Identifying your goals allows you to focus precious time and energy.

?? Prepare Questions

Come prepared you nerd! Having a stock of questions and ideas beforehand removes the stress of having to think about them on the spot. Furthermore, you're most likely prepping these alone, in the comfort of your introvert self.

Sample questions:

• What was your inspiration to do X
• Where do you think X is headed in 3 to 5 years?
• What are your thoughts on what speaker X said about Y?

?? Focus on small groups

I tend to avoid big crowds in networking sessions. I play to my strengths and focus on communicating and building relationships on 1:1 or at maximum groups of 4. It's hard enough to talk with the music at full blast, it's even harder with people shouting over each other.

?? Ask a friend

If you're going to the event with a friend, use this to your advantage. If it's an extroverted one, you're in luck. If not, at least you have someone to share the burden with ???

Friends can refer you to other contacts in the event, this removes the whole "approach and introduce yourself" phase.

?? Network "offline"

Great! You've now followed each other back on #linkedin. Now what?

Time to use the power of technology, dummy! Send a message offline and chat with your new contact. Introverts excel at writing and this allows you to message a person from you guessed it - the safe comforts of when you're alone.

Summary

• Introverts have a more difficult time than extroverts in networking sessions
• Making connections is an important tool to success
• Use your introvert strengths to your advantage

Liked this article? Check me out on my other platforms:

Linkedin:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jamzulueta/

Twitter:?https://twitter.com/JaimeZ888