The introvert’s guide to networking

Networking can be a powerful tool in advancing your career, but for introverts, it might be the closest thing to hell there is.

For introverts, events designed to make as many business contacts as possible through small talk, quick conversation and interacting with large crowds can drain energy quicker than almost anything else.

But the good news, according to author of A Shy Girl’s Guide to Networking,’ and host of the ‘Driven Female Entrepreneur Podcast’, Melitta Campbell, is that it doesn’t have to do.

“With more people now returning to networking post-Covid19, lots of people are feeling anxious about overcoming their fears and hesitations,” Melitta says. “But you can create a personalised networking vision and plan, manage engaging conversations, and learn the three phases of networking for business success.”

Her tips include:

Prepare ahead for a networking event whether the event is in person or online.

Getting to know everything you can about an event and its attendees beforehand can help ease any uncertainties. Planning ahead can also help you make the most of your time at the event.

Work out your vision and intention – what do you want to achieve?

Find all the information you can online as soon as you register for a gathering—or even when you see one you think you might be interested in attending.

Have the organisers established a theme or a key topic? Does the venue have an interesting history or location?

Create a list of speakers, influencers, vendors, or any other attendees that pique your interest. Prioritise who you want to connect with. Let this serve as your game plan to help you focus your networking efforts once you’re there.

Plan what you are going to wear and update your social media profiles

Choose something clean, professional, wrinkle-free and appropriate for the event theme and location.

If your event requires travel, be sure to check the weather so you're properly dressed for conditions, and consider a removable outer layer, since many event spaces will crank up the air conditioning to compensate for having so many people packed into a small space.

Before attending your networking event, review and update your business networking accounts, including LinkedIn, your professional website, or other affiliations that feature profiles about you.

Include your latest accomplishments, promotions, relevant volunteer work, and other important updates. After you’ve met an interested party at the event, they’ll likely look you up online and having these accounts updated will promote the positive image you wish to portray.

Similarly, you should take a keen look at your social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. Scrub these sites of any overly personal information or opinions, which could possibly turn away a future business contact.

Rehearse conversation starters and maintainers – this will build confidence.

After you know who you want to meet, research each person online.

Check their social feeds to get a peek into their interests, check their LinkedIn profiles for recent career updates or industry news they care about and Google them to see whether any other relevant news pops up.

Seek out connection points you could potentially use to spark conversations - small talk is much easier when you have a few tidbits stored in the back of your mind.

Don’t overthink it - approach people in open circles, smile and introduce yourself.

Use open questions to get people talking such as, ‘What did you think of the speaker?’ and ‘What is great with you today?

Introverts are good listeners so you can play to your natural strengths – good networkers talk just 20% of the time and listen for the rest.

And finally…

Following up with new contacts within 24-48 hours after a networking event will make you stand out among the majority of networkers. After meeting someone interesting at an event, drop them a line to thank them for their time, and include details about your conversation. For a thoughtful touch, and linked them to articles and information that you touched upon.

Connecting on LinkedIn is easy, free and non-invasive. It’s also a great way to see when your new contact has a work anniversary or gets a new job - all great occasions for a follow-up.

Melitta says, “As an introvert, I know how terrifying the prospect of networking can be. But having a strong set of networking tools and strategies, along with growing confidence, can enable people like to thrive in any situation.”