Here's how you can excel at networking as an introvert.

Networking as an introvert is all about playing to your strengths! Instead of chasing large crowds, focus on quality conversations. Introverts are often great listeners, so leverage that with thoughtful questions. Having a few talking points in mind can boost your confidence. It's okay to take breaks to refresh during or after any socialize events.

Ask questions. Shift the conversation from being about you to understanding the other person. Be genuinely curious about what the other person is saying and hear about their experiences.

Forget the pressure to schmooze everyone. Focus on quality conversations with a few like-minded individuals. Leverage your listening skills to learn about others' passions. Seek out smaller events or connect online through professional platforms. With a little planning and preparation, you can build genuine connections and thrive as an introvert in the networking world.

Build Up Your Networking Tolerance: *Start by attending smaller events to ease into networking. *Don’t pressure yourself to be an expert right away.

Spot on! Introverts often excel at making meaningful connections because we listen more than we talk. This can lead to stronger, more genuine professional relationships.

When you feel you're not comfortable with a topic, it is better to research and prepare before getting into the conversation, It can act as a conversation starter and it depicts your knowledge about the topic. It impresses people when they understand your prior knowledge.

To do well at networking as an introvert, get ready with topics to talk about beforehand. Think about what you want to discuss and questions you can ask to keep the conversation going. Look up the event or the people attending to find things you have in common. By having a few things ready to chat about, you can feel more confident and engaged when you're networking. Also, set small goals for yourself, like talking to a certain number of people or staying for a specific amount of time, to help you manage your energy. And remember, just be yourself and listen to others—it's all about making connections!

I found it most helpful to review the press for current affairs, especially relevant to the type of people you'll be networking with. And, have a view on what's happening in the world. It's great having topics to discuss, but if the person is a proficient communicator, they'll ask you your views, so be ready. Many introverts are great listeners, so once you get people talking, the pressure is off you.

Do Your Homework and Prepare: *Research the event and attendees beforehand. *Have talking points ready to ease anxiety and focus conversations.

This is such a helpful tip! Having a few go-to topics has really helped me feel more confident at networking events. It’s amazing how much smoother conversations flow when you're prepared.

As an introverted person, the best piece of advice I received from a mentor (which they received from theirs) was to set a goal for myself. My goal was often to meet 3-5 people in high-quality interactions. Once we exchanged contact information and connected on LinkedIn, I could follow up and continue to cultivate the relationship. Meeting my final person was my cue to exit the networking event, regardless of how much time was left. This allowed me to leave on a high note and reassured me that I could make meaningful connections in a way that suited my preferences.

This is my favourite part, it's working, so what do you aim to achieve? I aimed to identify 2 or 3 people I wanted to meet so I could start building rapport & establish mutual interests. Once you've met your objectives, leave! There are no prizes for staying until the end. And remember, it's not about who can hand out the most cards - that's not networking.

Quality Over Quantity: *Set achievable goals. *Aim for meaningful conversations with a few people rather than superficial interactions with many.

Setting goals before a networking event is a game-changer. It helps me stay focused and ensures that my interactions are meaningful and purposeful. Highly recommend this approach!

To optimize this opportunity, consider these subtle nuances: Personalize connection requests: Sending a brief message explaining your mutual interests or reasons for connecting creates a deeper impression than default invitations. Join targeted groups: LinkedIn groups offer opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, fostering genuine conversations within a curated space. Leverage asynchronous communication: Introverts can capitalize on the asynchronous nature of online networking, allowing for thoughtful and well-crafted responses without the pressure of real-time conversation.

Online networking is a great way for introverts (and extroverts) to efficiently build a network, and then to gradually develop an initial bond with them at a pace that the introvert is comfortable with. This can help when identifying individuals who they might wish to meet in person at a later conference, for example. This initial online step helps to increase the odds of the in-person meeting being at least a positive “social situation” experience.

This is not quite the mountain it may seem. In truth, you only need to spend 10 minutes a day a few days a week online to find others in your industry or who share your interests. When you follow high-profile individuals, you may find that many people who comment on the posts you also comment on are good connections for you, and you can always bring the conversation into the DM space if you need to and play to your strengths and preferences. Seek out key words and phrases rather than job titles (e.g. leadership, communication, emotional intelligence) and you'll quickly find groups and individuals you can connect with from all walks of life and industries. Online spaces can give you that freedom to find meaningful connections your way.

Leverage Your Listening Skills: *Introverts excel at listening. *Engage actively in conversations by asking open-ended questions.

Focus on Quality Conversations: Instead of aiming for a high quantity of interactions, prioritize having deeper conversations with a few people you genuinely connect with. Look for those who share similar interests or professional goals. Be a Good Listener: Introverts often excel at listening. Use this strength to your advantage by actively listening to others and asking thoughtful questions. People appreciate those who show genuine interest in them.

Choose Smaller Groups: *If large social events drain you, opt for smaller gatherings. *Connect over coffee or schedule casual video chats with interesting people.

Keep these considerations in mind: Align with Interests and Goals: Opt for events that resonate with your passions and objectives, ensuring relevant and valuable conversations. Consider Event Size: Smaller gatherings may provide a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing for in-depth discussions and focused networking. Seek Topic-Specific Events: Industry-specific or niche events enable you to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in relevant discussions. Keep an Open Mind: Be open to exploring new areas and attending diverse events to broaden your knowledge and network. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: It's better to attend fewer events and foster genuine connections than spread yourself thin across numerous engagements.

As introverts, we easily drain our energy in a social setting, so it's crucial to pick the events you join wisely. - join events that appeal to your interests and goals - shave 2-3 meaningful conversations rather than small talk with 20 people - prep some conversation starters if that lowers your anxiety - follow up with the people and meet them in 1:1 settings in an environment you feel comfortable in - explore different channels of networking; not all of them have to be in-person

Be really selective about which events you want to attend. If you can get sight of the typical attendee list, all the better. Most important, choose events that happen at a time of day when your energy is highest. If you end up at an event when you're already drained, it won't be enjoyable. Final tip - precharge in the hour before so you can be at your best. Final, final tip, up to half of the people there may also be introverts feeling as awkward as you. If you can help them to feel less awkward, bonus!

Follow Simon Sinek's advice (check out his YouTube video on it). Go with an extravert and let them do the introductions for you.

Introversion can be a valuable asset in networking. Being a good listener, asking thoughtful questions, and showing genuine interest in others are key components of successful networking. People indeed want to be seen and heard, and when you can provide that attention, it creates a memorable and meaningful connection. Finding commonalities further solidifies those connections and leaves a lasting impression. It's all about leveraging your strengths as an introvert to build authentic relationships.

Reframe and redefine networking. The definition we currently go for and the way many networking events are set focuses on extroversion bias that does not facilitate relationship building because many networking events are classed as a success by the numbers not by connections. For the Introvert less is more. Less people more opportunities for meaningful connections Therefore, if you focus more on connections you can choose the right events to go for and how to stay consistent to build mutually beneficial relationships.

When doing online networking, It can be useful to separate out crafting the list of folks you want to network with, and then do the actual networking at a different time. When we try to do both at the same time, it's easier for our brain to trigger limiting beliefs about why we shouldn't reach out to that person and possibly stop us from reaching out. If we've already created a list, it's much easier to go through it one by one and look at the outreach as more of an execution task.