Dave Stachowiak (featured on episode #006 of the Quality Living Made Simple podcast) wrote this great article about getting rid of your networking fear.
He shares six main ideas (you’ll have to read the post yourself for the details):
- Set a goal
- Be cool with being afraid
- Show up
- Find your people
- Be interested, not interesting
- Wait to be asked
Now, my primary goal of going to EntreLeadership is not for networking, although I plan to do some of that. My main goal is to try to glean as much information as I can. As I try to do some networking, though, these tips can really help me. I am more of a reserved person (usually), so I tend to be the wall-flower that sticks to myself.
For number 3 on his list (okay, here’s some details), show up doesn’t just mean physically, although that’s the first step. He means to show up mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. You’re going to be spending the time there, might as well be a part of what is going not (not, apart from it – bad play on words, but there it is).
- Make sure to listen to the podcast episode of Chris LoCurto giving his professional advice about preparing for events as well.
Question: Do you have any other networking tips, especially for people that are more introverted? Leave your comments below.
Being an introvert I have some work to do here, and I didn’t take advantage of networking when I attended the EntreLeadership Performance series. They had a specific networking event that I met maybe 3 people. I am attending another event in a couple weeks that I am hoping to do more networking.
The best thoughts I have had on this being an introvert are one, to watch and learn how others do it. And two, I am guessing it might take a while but eventually like anything else this too will get easier the more I force myself to try do it.
I watched a guy at the one event literally move from person to person talking to numerous people. I wasn’t offended when he came up and started talking to me, so why should I be worried that others will be offended when I go up and start asking them questions about what they do.
You’re right. Usually something does become easier the more you force yourself to do it. The podcast was definitely outside my comfort zone, but it’s becoming a little easier now.
Joshua, thank you for passing along my article and for the dialogue.
I can’t remember if I mentioned this in the article, but another great idea that I like is to either speak at an event and/or host a networking event if you are on the more introverted site. Both of those in the past have helped me really “show up” as well!
No problem, Dave! I think this suggestion was in the comments of this post. Great suggestion, though. That’s one of my goals – to help host/plan an event, and then to speak at one someday.