Networking for Introverts
Networking for Introverts – My Personal Experience
Since starting my own business I’ve learned to embrace the (from the outside) curious world of networking…
When I worked as a scientist in a large company, ‘networking’ was a euphemism for staying up late in the bar at a conference…(!)
Little did I know then that I would later spend many an early morning, networking over breakfast – in hotels, pubs, cafes, golf clubs, a casino…(!)
Introverts
As mentioned elsewhere (About Me), I’m a self-confessed introvert – which means that while I can love being ‘on stage’ running a workshop or teaching a dance class, I don’t do ‘small talk’ easily.
(For more on introverts see Susan Cain’s TED talk – I love the introduction and the description of the summer camp experience vs expectation! – or her wonderful book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking).
My personal experience
There are quite a few blog posts and articles on networking and how to network as an introvert, this is my personal experience from attending around 50 networking meetings over the last half year…
(One way to network that may be easier as an introvert is online. I love joining in my local Twitter hour, but I’m focussing here on (potentially scary!) face-to-face networking…)
As I started to grow my business, I realised it was going to be important for me to try something new and be more visible – something that at first felt pretty strange…
To my relief, I have found that networking is not about ‘selling’ me or my services, neither is it populated with brash salesmen (or women) but rather it is a way of meeting other people who are sharing similar experiences of running a business – like-minded people who may become clients, but often become suppliers, collaborators or even friends :)
In lots of ‘how to’ guides on networking, I have been thankful to find the advice to ‘ask questions’ rather than talk mainly about me and my business – how fabulous is that to hear as an introvert who is also a coach!!
Different networking types for different types of people…
I’ve discovered that there are many types of networking meetings, at very different venues and at different times of day. Some suit me better than others…
When I started networking and trying out different networking meetings I kept a log of how I felt after each meeting, and what were the pluses and minuses of each.
Networking can be a significant time (and financial) investment.
How to make it an enjoyable as well as productive experience??
The format of the networking meeting makes a huge difference to me and my level of comfort. Again, as an introvert, I’m happy to stand up and talk to an audience – in fact, I enjoy it :) – whether it’s to give a talk or in a 40/60-second introduction round – but I find ‘cocktail-party’-type mingling more awkward…
How to join a conversation that’s already happening??
Or sometimes, how to escape..?(!)
I’ve found that a happy medium for me is a mixture of formal and informal, structured and unstructured – some (limited) ‘free’ networking time, time to hear who everyone is and what they do, an interesting short talk, and the opportunity to talk one-to-one with the people I find most interesting in the room – and then to follow up later and in more depth over a coffee with those I really connect with.
Networking at different times of the day
I like to try and be home with my family in the evenings and I’ve been surprised to find that early morning meetings are not as bad as I’ve always thought!
(although there is early and there is really early!)
I’ve seen some spectacular sunrises this last winter and, since the days are getting longer, it’s sometimes a pleasure to be out and about early!
My personal coping strategy for early morning meetings is to avoid making any decisions first thing! I have my ‘networking bag’ always packed with my networking badge, business cards, promotional materials and pens, and I have my roller banner (complete with picture of me – not bad for an introvert!) stashed in the boot of my car at all times – as well as having planned what to wear ahead of time etc.
Being more visible. Networking for introverts
One tip for networking when you’re an introvert
One tip from me is: be kind to yourself and give yourself time to recover – if networking events take a lot of your energy, schedule in some recovery time later in the day – even if it’s just a quiet drive home after the event – or if you need it, during the event (I have heard that a surprising number of people take a quick ‘time out’ in the loo/bathroom! – it may even be where you meet a kindred spirit!)
What I’ve found is that, on the whole, networking events (and maybe I’ve been lucky in my choices) are friendly rather than scary, supportive rather than competitive…
So, here’s to the next 50 meetings!
What are your experiences of networking? What strategies do you employ?
Let me know your thoughts on networking by adding your comments below..
To find out how I can support and challenge you in being more visible in your business, please get in touch via the contact form or call me on +44 7526 740486.
Best wishes!
Sian
Sian
I really liked how you shared your personal experiences. Thank you for sharing these tips on networking.
Thanks Patti!
I take time out in the bathroom too! I’ve even been known to do this as big extended family events – it’s just the number of people, which as an HSP can sometimes in itself be pretty overwhelming. Thanks for sharing your experiences, I might just be inspired to share mine! :)
Thanks Rachael! Ah yes, extended family events can be overwhelming – I’ve found that too, particularly if it’s not my own family. It can be hard for others to understand how much energy it takes..
“it is a way of meeting other people who are sharing similar experiences of running a business – like-minded people who may become clients, but often become suppliers, collaborators or even friends :)”
An example of this is a series of workshops that I am running together with Lucy Rennie, with Rachael Chiverton, Louise Mosley, Gayna Cooper & Peter Beard and others as guest speakers – all people I’ve met over the last 6 months of networking…
http://www.businessdevelopmentworkshops.eventbrite.co.uk
Thank you for sharing this! I am an introvert planning on attending networking events this year. The thought of it scares me and I can NOT imagine standing up and talking to a group of people!! it’s so good to hear that there are other ways to network.
Thanks Karolina! Best of luck with your networking – my advice would be to try a few and find which are the right networks for you. I’d love to hear how you get on!
I like your idea of making a diary of networking meetings and how you feel afterwards, Sian – I might try that.
As well as recovery time, there’s also follow-up time to factor in.
Sometimes I’ve been to events and left no time to follow up with people afterwards. If too much time passes it doesn’t seem worth it because people won’t remember me. It means the time spent on the event is wasted.
Thanks Claire. Let me know how the diary works for you! Good reminder about follow up time – I aim to book an appointment with myself for follow-up time after each networking event and put that in my schedule as I put the event itself in my schedule.
And there was me thinking you were a natural networker. Must be all that practice!
Hey Todd – thanks for stopping by! Definitely doesn’t come naturally! Still practising!
Effective business networking is the process of finding, building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships.
Thanks Jane. What are your top tips for effective business networking? Sian
For more on the benefits of networking and how you might find great collaborators see: https://www.4networking.biz/Articles/Details/4824#sthash.BdQKyeRB.dpuf