Networking For Introverts: Like Me
We have been told over and over and over about the importance of networking, and it has never been as vital as it is now. We all know the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and in a world where the competition for employment is fierce, no truer words have been spoke.
Perfect, great. I understand it completely and vehemently agree with it. However, how do you do this when you are an introvert? When even the thought of being in a room with a group of strangers sends you running for the hills. When you are the person (like me) if you are ever in a room you are perfectly comfortable standing in the back in the corner, praying you never get introduced to anyone, sipping on the beverage of your choice and just taking in the scene and if you talk to one person all night it was too many. WHAT IF YOU ARE THAT PERSON?
Well, I am that person and because of that I have fallen in love with the premise that I can expand my network and connect with people all without the anxiety of the overcrowded room of strangers where you have to talk about yourself all day and by the time you leave, you are so exhausted that feel like you just ran a marathon race.
Here are a few tips I learned in the past few months and I would like to share them with you:
1. Connect with people in your industry with your same title: I went into Linkedin and typed in my field in the search bar. This was eye-opening because I realized my field was much larger than I had ever dreamed! I selected the connect button with everyone who shared my title, and anyone who was in my industry regardless of the title. Not all accepted, but a lot did. I was able to learn how widespread my profession is, even worldwide!
2. Follow subjects/groups: In Linked in, in the search bar you can follow topics, groups etc. Simply go to the search bar and type in #+whatever your subject is. Example #volunteers. Everything that anyone posts with that hashtag will show up in your feed. Again, you will now be exposed to new industries and people.
3. View Their Profile: You can learn so much about someone by just viewing their profile. You may realize you have more in person with them than you thought.
4. Message Someone: The best part about this is you can follow a person’s posts, check out their profile and really gain an understanding of who they are…and when YOU are ready, you can send them a message and message back and forth until it perhaps leads to a phone conversation. This is key especially if it is someone who has accomplished something you are trying to accomplish like a particular job title, or a particular project at work.
5. Join a Facebook or Linkedin group of people who have similar interests: Many people don’t even know Linkedin Groups exist and Facebook isn’t just for personal socialization like a lot of people think. In both Linkedin and Facebook, there are many professional groups that exist to network, connect and help each other one. I myself have created a few in Facebook including Leaders of Color in Volunteer Engagement and The Invaluable Workforce
6. Comment on posts that influence you in any way: You will be amazed the response you will receive. This is a great way to build connection with someone that could even eventually lead to a one on one conversation, which can lead to a new job, a partnership the possibilities are limitless!
7. Post your ideas and thoughts often. This is important as it shows you are a team player and you aren’t just there to take from the group but can help provide ideas and solutions as well! You could be the solution to someone’s challenge/problem thereby building and creating a connection that may not have been possible before.
8. Join An Professional Association and Volunteer On A Committee — This is a great way to be around a group of people in your industry and start off networking in a smaller setting. After joining AL!VE, a professional organization for Leaders of Volunteers, one of the first things I did was volunteer on a committe. It was uncomfortable at first becuase I was the newbie and I wondered if anyone would really want to hear what ideas I had to offer. I gathered the courage to start speaking up and my ideas were met with grattitude! That gave me the confidence to continue to share ideas, and in sharing, I have cross paths with others in my industry across the country and learning about areas in my industry that even existed!
9. Join A Board — What are you passionate about? Find an organization that operates within the realm that you are passionate about and volunteer on their board. Not sure where to look? There are many organizations such as The Arts and Business Council that have Board Match programs such as Arts Board Match to help you find the right fit. Linkedin often has ads in the top right corner of organizations looking for board members too! Not only will this allow you to volunteer and give back to something you believe in, it is also the perfect way to meet other people who have the same interests and believe in the same causes and of course expand your network.
Linkedin, Volunteer related Facebook groups, and volunteering with AL!VE and the Arts and Business Council have been my lifeline during the past year. I expanded my network exponentially nationwide AND worldwide in a matter of months without ever leaving the comfort and safety net of my living room. I was able to get to know people on my own terms on my own time.
By the time the world opens back up and I get to meet people in person, I will have planted so many networking seeds, that instead of being in a room with an endless amount of strangers, I will be meeting in a safe space of partners, colleagues and better yet, even friends.
Nicole is a Panamanian-American, workforce development specialist, published author of Game On! Relentlessly Pursue Your Dreams and the 101 Note-taking Affirmation Journal Series, dancer and motivational speaker. She earned her Bachelor’s degree on a Division I full-ride track scholarship. After graduating, she founded Step It Up! Inc., a non-profit dance organization. Her experience in sports and entertainment, radio, TV and the performing arts has spanned nearly 20 years covering the Chicago, Houston and Miami markets. She has danced and cheered for four Professional and Semi-Professional sports teams, has prepared more than 500 interns to enter the workforce and has inspired crowds upwards of 2000. She was a contributing writer for The Life of a Single Mom for two years and in October 2020 she was awarded an Emerging Leader Award from Alive Impact Awards for Volunteer Engagement Professionals and in November 2020 joined the Board of the Association for Leaders In Volunteer Engagement. In 2019, She joined the Board of the Arts and Business Council of Miami, was listed as one of WLRN’s “Local Women Who Inspire You” and was selected as one of Legacy Miami’s MOST PROMINENT AND INFLUENTIAL BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY OF 2019.
