An Introvert’s Look at Networking
Took some time away from my site to dive into my business, settle into my new flow, work on myself and spent some much needed time with the people I love. It was so needed. I feel so much more refreshed and energized. At one month into the year, I feel like I’ve accomplished a whole lot and can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
One major accomplishment at the start of this year was attending my first conference, BlogHer Health, as an entrepreneur/content creator. While I’ve been to conferences before this was my first one solo and without a company to represent. The only person I was representing was myself and I’m so proud I went.
Over the years I’ve become more and more comfortable with the fact that I lean a bit on the introvert side rather than an extrovert. It’s been challenging but it’s also humbling. When you’re your own boss and pitching to/working with clients becomes 90% of your job, you’re no longer just an introvert. Susan Cain has this really perfect quote from her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking that says -
“Indeed, your biggest challenge may be to fully harness your strengths. You may be so busy trying to appear like a zestful, reward-sensitive extrovert that you undervalue your own talents, or feel underestimated by those around you. But when you’re focused on a project that you care about, you probably find that your energy is boundless.”
So, walking into a room of nearly 200 other bloggers, influencers and content creators I reminded myself of WHY I was there and the passion behind it. So much of my past was trying to “fake it” to conform into a world that didn’t ultimately use my full abilities and embrace my creative force—it left me even more aloof and soft-spoken than I already am. Confronting this, sending love + gratitude to the experiences and lessons that it taught then moving completely forward into what really pulled me, capturing my vibrant energy.
If there is one thing I would encourage to another girl struggling to find her voice in the world - struggling to make people listen to what she has to say because what she has to say is damn important - it would be to find your passion. Find your art. The thing that makes your soul melt or as Marie Kondo says, “Sparks joy.” Once this is captured a world is opened up to possibilities and a room of 200 people doesn’t seem so daunting.
Here are some other tips* that have gotten me through any networking event, even the ones that don’t reflect my purpose. Any boss babe knows you just need to do what you have to do.
Give yourself ONE goal for the event. It doesn’t even have to be a large one. It could something as small as introducing yourself to 1-2 people. Once you say hi to one person not only do you feel accomplished but you’ve also broken down that initial fear and feel more confident to approach someone else.
People are always willing to mingle by the food/drink tables. Plus, it’s so easy to say how delicious (or disgusting) the food is and ask someone what they’re drinking tonight.
Compliments are your BFF. I love dishing out a good compliment because it’s an immediate ice breaker (where’d you get it, was it a good steal, etc.) and that person instantly feels warm talking to you. As long as it’s genuine.
Ask questions. Personally, I hate trying to fill the empty space in a conversation and I’ve realized that most people honestly like to talk about themselves. I love asking honest, sincere questions because eventually, it leads to a good back and forth.
Don’t ask for their business card right away. You want to leave on a positive note and something they’ll (hopefully) remember you by whether it’s through a shared story, exchanging trade secrets or because you’ve found you could do some great work together. Shoving your business card in people’s faces is a bit annoying and unmemorable.
Above all, be excited and be yourself. BlogHer Health brought some of the most inspiring female speakers/panelists and driven, like-minded content creators/entrepreneurs making it SO easy to approach anyone I could. I met so many amazing women and found even more reason to believe that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
*I’d like to thank my dad for passing on such great advice to me when I first started branching out in my career.
Do you have any other great tips for networking? I’d love to know!! Share in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram.