5 Surprising Networking Benefits for Introverts
Networking gets a bad rap. Most people see it as something they should do but not something they want to do. And, for most introverts, the discomfort factor is STRONG!! But what if it didn't have to be something you dreaded, and it became something you genuinely enjoyed?
When you learn to approach networking in a way that honors your energy and aligns with your introverted advantages, you benefit in ways that you may not have previously considered.
I'm a hardcore (and proud!) introvert, and I LOVE networking, but this wasn't always the case.
I used to HATE networking and avoided it at ALL costs! I almost skipped the first event I ever attended. I sat shaking in my car, resisting the powerful urge to bail and go home (my happy place!), before I finally plucked up the courage to go inside.
Networking felt impossible for me as an introvert, but once I learned to approach networking in a way that allows me to honor how I connect with people, I relaxed and started having fun.
Now, I network every week, and it's one of my favorite activities!
While honing my networking skills and talking with other introverts who rock the networking scene, I've noticed clear benefits for introverts when it comes to networking. And some of these may surprise you!
5 Networking Benefits for Introverts
#1: Build New Relationships
Networking is all about building relationships, not selling to other people. As business owners, especially us solopreneurs, we need biz buddies for support and a pool of potential folks to collaborate with, share referrals, etc. By targeting your networking to events that cater to the people like you and who need your services, you'll enjoy a rich environment to establish these much-needed and rewarding professional relationships!#2: Create new friendships
Introverts tend to go deep when establishing relationships with others. That means the people you connect with on a business level are people that you likely also care about on a friendship level. Networking provides a beautiful opportunity for introverts to expand their circle of supportive friends. While every new biz contact doesn't have to become a new friend, it's definitely a benefit I've enjoyed as I've become even more comfortable with networking. I try to make this my intention when I network: I'm just meeting potential new friends! Turning to like-minded friends who understand the entrepreneurial journey has been fantastic for my biz development.#3: Increase your confidence talking about what you do
I like to treat networking as "target" practice! Every time someone new asks me what I do, I hone my "elevator" pitch communication skills. I like to challenge myself to say it differently for each person I meet, which allows me to see what resonates best with people. The more I say what I do, the more natural it becomes, and I can speak it confidently.#4: Become a better conversationalist
Believe it or not, introverts are very good at conversations! When you lack confidence or try to be someone you're not, it's challenging to be present and engaged when talking with others. But, when you're comfortable with your quieter nature and embrace your skills at having deeper conversations, networking events provide the ideal playground to practice and strengthen this skill. Each new person you talk with hones your skills and shows you that you have plenty to say and others are eager to listen.#5: Become more confident (in general)
Networking allows you to practice embodying your introverted gifts so you learn to do things YOUR way, not the societally-conditioned way (i.e., work the room, sell-sell-sell!, etc.). My goal going into events is to make a genuine connection with ONE human (no selling required!). I'm much better at deeper 1:1 conversations, so I lean into this skill and use it to my advantage when I network. Usually, I connect with more than one person, but I don't pressure myself to work the room. As I learned to remove my "I have to be more extroverted" hat, I found it MUCH easier to network, and my confidence soared.Networking is all about building relationships, and the more you do it, the easier it gets and the less scary it feels. However, when you go into it with unrealistic and misaligned expectations (i.e., "I have to be more extroverted to make this work!", "I have to try to find new clients to sign.", etc.), then it'll feel unnatural and icky!
You can TOTALLY change your relationship to networking! And, when that happens, you begin to enjoy all the benefits of meeting and connecting with new people!
And while I have landed clients from networking, it was never as a result of pitching them or trying to sell to them; it was because I established a genuine connection with them and spent time getting to know them with no agenda!
If networking is something that you want to incorporate more into your business growth strategy, but you're still feeling (understandably) nervous, then I have a little something for you!
