“There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas,” says Susan Cain, author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”
Yet the biggest returns from industry conferences or even corporate meetings often go to those who make the most of networking opportunities. Reaching out to others in order to improve the outlook of your career is common sense, but for those who are introverted, it’s much easier said than done. In a recent Entrepreneur article, Cynthia Johnson, partner and director of marketing at RankLab, a digital marketing consultant, shared these tips on how introverts can become better networkers.
Make connections online. Connecting with people on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and social media platforms before an event can be helpful. Familiar faces, even if they belong to a stranger, can be comforting. You can also use this to find new events by connecting with people who are a part of or work at organizations that you belong to.
Talk about your accomplishments. By definition, introverts often stay in the shadows and seldom celebrate their achievements publicly. It’s not a bad thing to let people know what you’ve done and what you’ve accomplished —
and talking about these achievements can help you to make connections that you are able to help.
Discuss your goals and ideas. There’s no need to prattle on about 100 different ideas that are floating through your head, but if you’re looking for something to talk about when you meet someone in the industry, bring up an opinion that you have or an idea that is specific to your industry to jumpstart the conversation. Ask the person what their goals are and take time to see if you know anyone that could help them. Sharing your connections is a great way to gain new strong connections.
Don’t overthink it. When you go home, leave your interactions and networking attempts alone emotionally. No need to go over and over what you said, how the other person responded, or whether or not you were well received. Even if you feel like you made a few social blunders, don’t dwell on it. Concentrate your energy on the positive things that came out of your networking attempt and let your mistakes inform your choices next time.
Maintain strong relationships.
Every so often, you’ll make a strong connection, and when that happens, it will help you with your networking to maintain that connection and create a solid relationship. This person may be likely to speak up on your behalf, introduce you to others, and make your networking easier. This goes both ways. Make sure to speak for your other connections and listen for opportunities for them as well.
While it is important for introverts to occasionally venture outside of their comfort zone, it’s equally important to stay true to themselves, Cain states in her book. “Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured. If you like to do things in a slow and steady way, don’t let others make you feel as if you have to race. If you enjoy depth, don’t force yourself to seek breadth. If you prefer single-tasking to multi-tasking, stick to your guns. The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk.”
