Five networking tips for introverts

Thursday 27 April, 2017

You’ve seen her, she walks elegantly into a room of strangers at a networking event and oozes confidence while she works the room. She talks about her business with ease and grace and even if you don’t need what she is offering, you are drawn to want to do business with her.

In your mind, you think you could never be like that, but what if I told you there were some networking tips for introverts that you can use to have the same impact?

I used to cringe at the thought of entering a room full of strangers and would avoid it like the plague, even though I knew that’s where my ideal customers were. Searching endlessly for other ways to target my preferred audience I finally succumbed to the fact that if my business was to grow I had to find a way to master this networking thing.

Through trial and error, I came up with these five networking tips for introverts: 

• Be yourself – The first mistake I made was trying to be ‘like her’ instead of focusing on what my own strengths are. I realised that I didn’t need to be all elegant and polished (that’s just not possible with wild hair like mine!). I just needed to be myself and share what I was passionate about with people and that would attract the right type of people that I enjoy talking to and who resonate with me.
• Learn how to speak - Fear is created when there is a lack of knowledge, as in, if you don’t know how to do something then you may be afraid of it. In this day and age there’s no excuse for not being able to learn how to master something. So, if talking publicly is an issue for you, like it is for a lot of people and used to be for me too, then find a course, a coach or a mentor and learn the tricks of the trade.
• Perfect your pitch – Recently at an event I asked the lovely lady seated next to me what she did, “I’m an accountant”, was the answer. She then went on to tell me how it is considered such a boring vocation. It was disappointing because I actually adore my accountant because she shows me how to make more money which enables me to help more people. Imagine how much more interesting (and memorable) the conversation would have been if she had answered, “I show people how to make more money in their business”.

  Having a clearly defined pitch that can be used in any situation, is easy to remember and evokes interest will ensure that those people you talk to, will remember you when you follow them up. When creating your pitch, focus on what benefit you provide and once you have it, practice it until it sounds and feels natural. Practice with family, friends, the dog, anyone who will sit still long enough to hear it.

• One at a time – Contrary to what some people believe, it’s not about handing your business card out to as many people as possible. It’s about making real and worthwhile connections. Know who your target market is and go search them out in the crowd. Choose a select few people to have a memorable conversation with, rather than handing your card to ten or twenty people in the hope that someone might be in your preferred market.
• Always follow up – Networking guru and author Liz Lynch says, “ninety-seven percent of people who ask for her card will do nothing with it”. It seems crazy to me to go to the effort of finding the courage to approach someone, start and have a conversation, ask for their card and then never follow up. Be one of the three percent that do and watch the difference it will make in your business.

By following these five networking tricks for introverts you will never become ‘like her’ but you can still have an impact and you will become more comfortable with showing up at networking events instead of hiding at home making excuses as to why you shouldn’t go and consequently more opportunities and business will come your way. 

Success in business is just as much about who you know as what you know. CCIQ members get free entry to Business After Hours networking events.

About the contributor: A serial entrepreneur from the age of fourteen Tegan currently owns three online businesses and is in the process of writing her second book. Through her facing fears website she provides online courses, free resources, support and coaching to enable people to achieve the secret dreams they hide from the rest of the world. Website: www.facingfears.com.au