If the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and “working the room” makes you want to fake a headache and go home, you’re in good company. A lot of very successful business owners are introverts. They just network differently.
The good news is that the kind of networking that actually works, building real relationships over time, plays to introverts’ strengths. Here’s how to do it in a way that doesn’t leave you drained.
Play to your strengths
Introverts tend to be good at things that matter a lot in networking: listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, having deeper one-on-one conversations, and remembering what people said. Those are exactly the things that make people remember you. You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room. You need a few real conversations.
Choose smaller rooms
Big mixers are hard on almost everyone, and especially on introverts. Small groups, round tables, one-on-one coffees, and online communities let you have real conversations without the noise. You’ll likely get more out of them anyway. See Why Small Group Conversations Work Better Than Big Events.
Prepare a little
- Know your short answer to “what do you do?” so you’re not improvising.
- Have two or three questions ready: what are you working on right now, who’s your favorite kind of client, what’s been harder than you expected this year?
- Check who’s coming, if you can, and pick one or two people you’d like to meet.
Set a realistic goal
Instead of “meet as many people as possible,” aim for two or three good conversations. Then you’re allowed to leave. Quality beats quantity, and a clear finish line makes events much less draining.
Arrive early
It’s much easier to talk to people as they trickle in than to break into established groups later. Early arrivals are often looking for someone to talk to as well.
Lean on online and written networking
Many introverts are more comfortable in writing. Thoughtful comments on LinkedIn, helpful answers in online communities, and well-written follow-up emails are all real networking. See How to Use LinkedIn for Networking.
Follow up in writing
The follow-up is where relationships actually form, and it’s an introvert-friendly step. A short, specific note after a conversation goes a long way.
Plan recovery time
Don’t schedule a networking event right before a big client meeting or a busy evening. Give yourself time to recharge afterward. That’s not a weakness. It’s good planning.
A low-key place to start
WEN Round Tables are small, on Zoom, and built around real conversation, with no pitching, no icebreaker games, and no working the room. You can join from your own desk with your own coffee. Many introverts find that a much easier way to meet people.
