The shy girl’s guide to networking
Ah, networking, a word that strikes fear into the heart of every introvert, shy person and anyone who simply finds walking up to a stranger and introducing themselves intimidating (so…everyone?)
But don’t worry, when done correctly, networking can be easy and, dare I say it, even fun.
Why bother with networking?
You might be wondering whether networking is even relevant in these times of social media. Surely if you want to make connections you can open Instagram, LinkedIn or your social media app of choice?
Not quite.
Firstly, using social media is a form of networking - hence the term “social network”. But also, in-person relationships are still valuable, particularly when you’re looking for a new job or want to find new clients locally.
Networking is incredibly valuable if you’re looking to advance your career and find friends in your industry, so in this article I’ll be sharing how to make it work for you.
Take it slow
If the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and making awkward conversation makes you shudder, then I have good news: you don’t need to do that.
What would make networking less scary for you? Maybe it’s going with a friend so you aren’t alone, joining an online event or finding an event that’s based around an activity so you don’t have to stand there twiddling your thumbs.
Start with one of those. Find networking options that are less intimidating to you, and once you’ve mastered those you can work your way up to attending in-person events alone.
Find events that align with you
If you’re in the creative industry, a networking event full of bankers and dry finance chat is not only going to be boring, but probably not going to connect you with relevant people - further solidifying the “networking sucks” narrative.
Try to find events organised for your industry specifically, or maybe targeted towards your age group or current situation (e.g. graduates, parents, etc.).
Eventbrite and Meetup are great resources for finding relevant events near you, and it’s also worth asking your friends if they know of any good networking events or groups. Personally, I follow a couple of local entrepreneurs on Instagram as they’ll often share and tag networking events on their Story.
Set networking goals
Here’s the thing: networking for the sake of networking is kind of pointless.
Why do you want or need to network?
To make new industry connections? To build your personal brand? To meet a specific person?
If you don’t know what you want to achieve by networking, you’re going to find it awkward and boring. Set yourself a goal each time you have a networking event and you’ll find it much more fulfilling.
Here are some ideas:
I will introduce myself to 5 new people
I will introduce myself to [specific person you want to connect with]
I will practice my elevator pitch
I will connect with at least 3 people on Instagram/LinkedIn after the events
I will follow up with and make plans with one person
I will learn about x (if it’s a learning event)
I will share my contact info with at least 5 people
Have some ice-breakers up your sleeve
I saw you wince at the word ice-breaker, but don’t worry, these aren’t the awkward two-truths-and-a-lie type of ice-breakers you’re forced to do when you start a new job.
By ice-breakers, I simply mean a list of questions or topics you can turn to when the conversation dries up or you don’t know what to say next.
This really helps with that awkward feeling of having nothing to say. Safe topics include the weather, food and film/TV.
Remember, you simply won’t connect with some people, and that’s okay! But these ice-breakers will help you to navigate what can feel like intimidating, overwhelming situations.
Next time you’ve got a networking event to go to, use these tips as your secret weapon. The more you network, the easier it gets - you might even start to enjoy it!
