If you’re tired of feeling nervous in social situations, I want to share with you my best networking tips for introverts.
These are the exact same advice that I teach to our client in our social skills coaching program so you know this stuff works.
What You'll Learn In This Post
Why Is Networking Important For Introverts?
Networking is important for introverts because that’s how you create more opportunities for yourself.
This is especially true if you want to future-proof your career.
When you can interact with people effectively, not only will you get promoted faster, you’ll also be able to find a new job if you ever need to.
Not to mention, if you know how to build rapport with others, you’ll just have a more enjoyable time anywhere that you go.
Is Networking Hard For Introverts?
Networking for introverts is hard because they have limited social energy.
Since they like to recharge by spending time alone, talking to too many people drains them.
Also, if you’re shy or. have social anxiety, then that can make the whole process of meeting new people even more challenging.
Can Introverts Be More Outgoing?
If you’re the quiet and reserved type, talking to lots of people in a social gathering may not be your favorite thing to do.
But at some point, you’re going to have to go to a party, a conference, or some sort of get-together.
Keep in mind that you can learn how to approach someone or engage in a group conversation if you want to.
And when you do, you never have to feel excluded because you’re able to participate.
How Do Introverts Make Connections?
1. Remove Your Filter
Most individuals who struggle socially are too concerned about what people think of them.
They’re so afraid of looking bad and embarrassing themselves that they end up not speaking up.
But, if you want to learn how to feel less self-conscious, you have to not care so much.
Believe it or not, most people don’t notice you as often as you might assume.
So stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
Not to mention, everyone’s so concerned about themselves anyway.
Even if you say something silly, others would’ve forgotten about you by the time they get home.
By keeping this perspective in mind, you’ll figure out how to relax around people.
This will help you get out of your head and stop overthinking social interactions.
As a result, you’ll feel more relaxed in group situations and be able to show your personality more.
2. Think Of What You Want To Say
It’s totally normal to feel anxious around people when you don’t know what to talk about.
If you’re like most of our previous clients, then you probably don’t have a lot of experience interacting with others.
You either work a technical job or you grew up in a very conservative environment.
If you’re wondering how to be more talkative in a group, you need to prepare in advance.
Check out this video if you want to know how to be more talkative and confident.
My advice is for you to anticipate what most people might discuss at the gathering that you plan on attending.
If you think about it, similar topics tend to come up in conversation over and over again anyway.
That being said, prepare some stories regarding your work, your upbringing, places you’ve been to, events you’ve attended, and your interests.
Once you have those written out, review them as much as you can.
Practice telling your stories and try recording yourself as well.
This will help you observe your body language and hear how you sound.
That way, you can make the necessary adjustments before you go out and socialize.
3. Look More Approachable
Remember, nobody can read your mind.
As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.
If you want to know how to talk in a group, make sure you appear more friendly.
The thing is, we all make snap judgments about others right away based on what we see.
If you rub people the wrong way, then you’re already swimming against the current.
Think about it.
Would you want to talk to someone who’s slouching, has their arms crossed, and has a frown on their face?
Probably not, right?
That’s why you have to pay attention to how you’re coming across.
Or else you might be pushing people away unintentionally.
In order to appear more friendly, remember to have an open body language.
Stand up straight, keep your chin up, and avoid crossing your arms and legs.
Maintain proper eye contact and have a genuine smile on your face.
By doing so, you’ll come across as more inviting to others.
When you know how to be approachable, people are going to be inclined to interact with you.
4. Tell Good Stories
If you want to figure out how to network as an introvert, you have to be able to communicate yourself effectively.
That’s why you have to know how to tell good stories.
The next time you share something, make sure you structure it well.
Set up your story properly by giving some background information and creating contrast if it applies.
Use descriptive words to engage the senses as well.
Leave out unnecessary facts and emphasize how things make you feel instead.
And then, release the tension that you’ve built up when you make your point.
When you do these things, your stories will sound a lot more interesting.
As a result, you’ll have more engaging interactions with anybody you talk to.
5. Don’t Judge Others
Getting into an argument is a quick way to end any interaction.
That’s why being empathetic, is one of the best networking tips for introverts.
Make an effort to see where other people are coming from.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if both of you have different perspectives on a particular topic.
That doesn’t mean their opinions are not valid.
The thing is, you don’t even need to agree with them.
So stop trying to change their mind and try to prove them wrong.
You just have to put yourself in their situation and see things from their point of view.
That’s why whatever you do, avoid getting into an argument with someone.
Also, stay away from sensitive topics like religion, politics, sex, and race.
Be light-hearted, respect your differences, and focus on finding commonalities instead.
That’s a more productive conversation to have than getting into a heated debate about something controversial.
6. Stay Relevant
If you want to figure out how to network as an introvert, you need to know a little bit about a lot of things.
If you’re wondering how to be interesting to talk to, make an effort to stay relevant.
That way, it’ll be much easier for you to relate to others and contribute to a group conversation.
Check out this video if you want to know how to be more talkative and have things to talk about.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to stay up to date with trending topics and current events.
To implement this, I recommend you visit some reputable news websites.
Check out their social media accounts as well before you attend any gathering.
That way, you’ll have many ways to engage whoever you talk to.
When you know you have something valuable to share, you’ll feel a lot more confident interacting with anybody.
7. Stop Hesitating So Much
Keep in mind that group conversations are a bit chaotic to begin with.
Typically, they’re lively, energetic, and all over the place.
That’s why one of my networking tips for introverts is a bit controversial.
If you want to know how to be more talkative in a group, you need to get comfortable politely interrupting others.
Believe it or not, it’s totally okay to do that.
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All you have to do is use your body language to gesture that you want to say something.
And then speak up as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to say something.
Trust that people want to hear what you have to say.
So, give yourself the chance to share your thoughts.
8. Raise Your Energy
At the end of the day, it’ll be hard for anybody to hear you if you’re too soft-spoken.
If you’re wondering how to be more talkative in a group, you need to work on your delivery.
Check out this podcast interview with Majeed Mogharreban, Founder of Expert Speaker, where he talks about effective public speaking tips for IT professionals.
The next time you talk to someone, raise your energy slightly.
You also have to get comfortable speaking louder.
To project your voice, talk from your stomach and not your chest.
Use your hands to accentuate what you’re saying and vary your tonality as well.
Doing these things will definitely help you hold people’s attention better.
If you’re not used to talking in this manner, you just have to keep at it.
Eventually, it’ll become a natural part of how you communicate.
9. Ask Interesting Questions
First of all, there’s nothing wrong with making small talk.
At the end of the day, you have to be able to exchange polite pleasantries with others, especially if you just met them.
But if you want to figure out how to be more talkative in a group, you can’t get stuck there.
That’s why one of my networking tips for introverts is to ask interesting questions as well.
Doing so will ensure that you have more meaningful conversations.
From Shy To Social
Discover proven steps to approach and talk to anybody no matter how shy you are.
For example, you can ask people in the group what they would do if money wasn’t an issue.
You can ask where they would travel to if they got a free plane ticket.
You can also ask them which famous person they would have lunch with if given the opportunity.
Do you see how that works?
My advice is for you to memorize a handful of these unconventional questions.
They really get people thinking and they’re interesting to talk about.
On that note, make sure you have your own answers to these questions as well.
That way, you’ll be able to confidently respond to others.
10. Show That You’re Engaged
Most individuals who struggle socially are so concerned about what they’re going to say next.
They’re so in their heads that they’re actually not listening to the person they’re talking to.
If you’re wondering how to network as an introvert, remember to be present during your interactions.
Give whoever is speaking your full and undivided attention.
Lean forward to show interest and nod in agreement to acknowledge what they’re sharing.
Your reactions make you look like you’re a part of the group conversation even if you’re not saying much.
Whoever is speaking will gravitate towards you because you’re paying attention to them.
Not to mention, it’s much easier to come up with the right things to say when you’re actually in the moment.
Conclusion
There you have it, I just shared with you my best networking tips for introverts.
Feel free to go through them again and implement them as much as you can.
And now, let’s turn it to you.
Which one of these tips are you going to implement first?
Are you going to think of what you want to say or ask more interesting questions?
Send me a message on Instagram and let me know.