Tips for Networking As An Introvert
Networking looks a little different for everyone these days but it’s still what I like to call a “necessary evil”. Ironically, I started 2020 off with a fresh new personal development plan in which I vowed to step out of my introvert bubble and devote time to building my network. I told myself I would commit to one networking event each month and I would go no matter what.
Well, you can guess what happened next. Two months later all of my company’s in-person events had been canceled and I was working from home with no end in sight. Actually, as I’m typing this, I’m still working from home. 14 months later. (You know… I should probably check my work email now that I think about it but it’s Friday afternoon. Who’s really expecting a response?)
Networking as an introvert is a very real and personal internal struggle I’ve dealt with for a while. Having been in corporate America for years, I’ve watched people with lackluster talent move up and all-around simply because they’ve mastered this skill. You’d think witnessing this would have kicked my butt into gear but nope. Still hate it. I hate small talk and elevator pitches and eating crumbly snacks off of too-small napkins. Seriously, whose idea was it to force people to eat giant cookies with only a tiny, palm-sized napkin while standing?
But I digress… Although, I hated – and still hate – all of these things. I made a promise to myself and I was determined to keep it even though the entire world had moved to a virtual environment. And you know what? I’m glad I did because I learned some things that made the entire process much more bearable. Keep reading for my tips on networking as an introvert.
Get an Accountability Partner
First things first. Find a friend, trusted colleague, or mentor that will attend networking events with you. Be honest about your goals and ask that they hold you accountable. Whether you’re attending your first event and showing up is all that matters or you’re ready to push yourself to make three new contacts, sharing your goals with someone who can follow up with you is a great idea. In fact, according to a study by Ohio State University, sharing your goals with someone whose opinion you truly value can help you to achieve them faster.
Join Groups Based on Your Interests
One of the fastest ways to boost your interest in networking is to join groups that align with your interests. These may be female-focused groups, millennial groups, or groups for parents and caregivers. These groups may be internally promoted by your employer, offered by your educational institute or alma mater, or promoted publicly within your city. Spend some time researching what’s available and make a list of any groups that spark your interest. (Of course, I’m working on a downloadable guide for this. Request to be the first to get it at the end of this post.)
The reason you want to focus on groups that match your interests is that you are more likely to feel comfortable making conversation with other attendees. You have an “in”. Knowing that you have something in common with these people just makes the whole thing a little less intimidating. In addition to that, it helps to know that group organizers create events that will appeal to their specific members. Once you find the right group, you are likely to notice there are more events that pique your interest.
Contribute to the Conversation
This last of my tips for networking as an introvert is what you might call a “silver bullet” because it works every time. During the event, or afterward, I make a point to contribute one highly insightful question or comment. If I ask a question, I’m sure to offer an inquiry whose answer will benefit the larger group. If I make a comment, I’m sure to offer evidence to support the speaker’s overall message. In either case, I start by providing a super-brief introduction that includes my name and what I do. Tailor the second part to match where you are. For internal company events, you might choose to state your department or job title. For external events, you may want to state the name of your employer.
This might seem like an insignificant thing to do but when done right it can set you up for success like you wouldn’t believe. In many cases, your contribution to the conversation will make others interested in speaking to you further. They will seek you out at the end of the event or even days later – which is why you always start with an intro.
The second benefit is that people are more likely to remember you when you reach out to them later. You can even start an email with a quick “Hi, my name is Whitney. Not sure if you’ll remember me but I was the one who asked about (your insightful question) during the event yesterday”. Not only is it a quick conversation starter but you’ve likely already made a good impression on them which means they’ll be more likely to provide an enthusiastic response.
Conclusion
To summarize, I still hate networking but I’ve found a few tricks to make it a more manageable experience. I hope you found these tips for networking as an introvert helpful! If you did, I’m working on a special guide just for you, my dear introverted friend. Enter your info below and I’ll send it in the next day or so!
