Marketing Tip Sheet #2 for Introverts
How Quiet People Can Network Effectively

by Marcia Yudkin

Networking seems antithetical to the reserved nature of introverts.  If you love being by yourself, hate small talk, don't normally talk to strangers and dislike noisy crowds, you might be tempted to skip business and meetings mixers altogether. 

Networking for Introverts

1. Choose the right groups. Test a group by attending once or twice before you commit to it. Some groups are friendly to newcomers, others are not. Some groups ensure that everyone has an opportunity to introduce himself or herself, both to the whole group and to everyone sitting at a particular table. 

Structured situations work much better for introverts than just milling around. Similarly, smaller meetings help you feel at home faster than enormous ones.

2. Get involved in an organization. You will feel more comfortable and meet people more easily when you have an official role. Volunteer to be a "greeter" and you have the job of talking to everyone briefly as they walk in. Or sign up for the publicity committee and you will be thanked publicly whenever the group gets media coverage.

3. Find someone who is standing alone. It's far easier to begin talking to someone who may feel as lost as you than to break into a group who are already chatting away in earnest. Likewise, when deciding where to sit for a dinner meeting, sit next to someone who isn't talking to anyone yet rather than next to a small clutch of friends.

4. Attend meetings with a buddy. An extroverted friend can help you break the ice most easily, of course. But even pairing up with another introvert lets you show up with a game plan while not feeling like a total outsider. 

5. Polish and practice your 30-second introduction. Give it a creative or humorous twist if possible. Your reward: People come up to you afterwards and initiate a conversation. That is always easier for you than talking first.

6. Plan innocuous questions ahead of time. Use these to talk to someone who also seems not to know too many people there. For instance: "Are you a member?" "Where did you park?" "This is my first time here, what about you?"

7. Use the Internet to prep for the meeting. If the organization has a member list posted online, do a little research and select a few business people you'd like to meet, then ask for them when you check in at the door.  

8. Forget about quantity. Networking yields best results from quality conversations rather than mingling with as many people as possible or collecting the most business cards. Just one person you hit it off with might turn into a great connection for you. 

Always keep in mind that networking is not a party. Your goal is making connections with people who might become clients or know people who can help your business move forward. Using these techniques helps you relax and let the magic happen.

Your marketing mentor,

Marcia Yudkin

P.S. If you're an introvert and could use intensive feedback and guidance on your branding, web site, marketing strategy or a publication project, come work with me one-on-one next winter on Maui.  Your retreat is structured so you have ample time to relax on the beach and tour the island, too - and most likely, your whole trip is tax deductible.  Maui private marketing retreat.