How Introverts Can Successfully Network
Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose. I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.
I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff. I have a knack for turning big ideas into on time and profitable projects.
At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.
Today’s comment came from a busy professional:
How Introverts Can Successfully Network
- How can introverts successfully network for business?
- What are ways that introverts can step out of their comfort zone and meet with business contacts socially and be successful at it?
Most shy people are nervous when the spotlight is on “them”. So – reverse the networking process and put the spotlight on the other person. Get interested in finding out about them, what they do, what their goals are, what kind of people that the other person wants to meet. Then step into the “how can I serve you” mentality. Introduce them to the people that they want to meeting, etc.
Some quick steps to follow before going to a Networking Event:
- Design 5 Ice Breaker questions to ask various people that you meet
- How did you find out about this event?
- What are your goals or what are you looking for in this event?
- Who did you want to meet at this event?
- Tell me more about your business and who would be a good referral for you?
- How can I help you with your referral and business goals?
- Now have a specific goal outlined for this networking event
- Make a goal to meet 5 new people at this event, and schedule at least 3 follow-up meetings out of the 5. Increase that number the next time you go to another networking meeting.
- Make a goal to find someone in a specific industry or field. Then ask around to see if anyone can introduce you to someone here in that field.
- Do your homework
- Find out who else will be at the event ahead of time. See if anyone that you really wanted to meet will be there. (Use your LinkedIn network to find anyone that you know that already knows that person – and make a game plan to go to that networking event together).
- Invite a friend or co-worker that would be a good wing-man
- Follow-up on the people that you have met at the meeting.
Going to networking meetings are not the only way to network. Another good method is to invite individuals for an interview for your radio show, video or article. Invite someone to guest speak at your organization, association or department. Volunteer to be the lead of your professional organization’s program committee. The job of program lead – will automatically introduce you to important and prominent experts. And lastly – simply hang out where the people you want to meet hang-out. Get interested in the things they are interested in.
Whether you are asking them questions, interviewing them for an article, or introducing them as a speaker, you will naturally share the spotlight when you put the spotlight on someone else.
I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.
With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.
I have a monthly presentation on “how to say YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes