“Network, network, network” is one of the mantras for business success that you will frequently hear. This suggestion is helpful to an extrovert since they are adept at entering a room, gauging the energy level, and shaking hands with as many potential contacts as they can.
Nevertheless, this counsel could sound ominous to an introvert. When in large groups, introverts tend to remain to themselves since they feel better at ease exchanging ideas with a smaller number of people. A group of strangers might be extremely scary to approach. How then, as an introvert, are you going to maximise your networking opportunities if you detest the very thought of it?
So, last week’s Networking for Introverts event was specifically designed to address this issue. It was also the ideal chance for them to advance their networks and create the ideal environment that would appeal to an introverted professional. Here are a few extra pointers to help you introverts embrace your inner networking genius, in addition to the important advice provided on the day.
1. Practice makes perfect – If you were a member of an improv comedy group, you would practise various scenarios hundreds or even thousands of times. Why is it any different at a networking event? Consider the opportunity as an opportunity to hone your improv skills.Although you can gain confidence and feel more at ease by practising numerous scenarios, you can’t predict exactly what other individuals will say or do. Consider a few tried-and-true conversation starters, such as “What brings you here today?”
2. Search out local meet ups and networking events – You need somewhere to go now that you have a few “go-to” icebreakers and feel more comfortable socialising with strangers! Enter “Best Blockchain Meet-ups in Blank City” or “Local Networking for FinTech Experts” into Google, for example.
3. Work on your elevator pitch – After practising your fundamental openers, it’s time to really make a difference. You need to practise your elevator pitch. You can lose your one chance to work with a possible mentor, customer, or colleague if your pitch isn’t compelling and succinct. A 30-second introduction that briefly describes who you are, what you do, and why you are attending the event should be prepared in advance. This excellent YouTube playlist on creating the ideal elevator pitch is quite helpful.
4. Be reasonable about your limits and pace yourself – If you are an introvert by nature, you may find attending networking gatherings to be rather taxing. Remember to take a few minutes every now and then to unwind and take a breather rather than trying to be “on” for the duration of the event. In a similar vein, pace yourself and be aware of your limitations when attending too many networking events in a single month. Additionally, you should only concentrate your attention on the most pertinent and wisely chosen occurrences.
5. Follow up! – This may sound like common sense, but so many people go to networking events and never get in touch with the people they met. This implies that their efforts and preparation were in vain. Gather business cards from anyone you strike up a conversation with while you are at the event, and write some notes on the reverse so you can remember what you said.
Connect with them on Twitter and LinkedIn throughout the next few days. Then, using your annotated cards, send personalised emails to each recipient. It was wonderful to meet you at the Blank Event. I would love to be involved in some way with your work or project since it sounds fascinating. Yours truly, YOUR NAME, exactly as written!
With these straightforward suggestions, you might alter your viewpoint on networking and begin to use these occasions to your advantage.
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