I’ve not thought much about “real life” networking for a while, mainly because of mobility limitations; now all my networking is online and I am more comfortable with this, I must admit. It’s certainly far easier than my first forays into networking events all those years ago when I started out in business. That was terrifying; I’ll never forget my first local chamber of commerce event – it was so cliquey with little room for newcomers, never mind shy ones.
In the end I started something different, gently at first, inviting people I knew and people they knew over to my house for cake one evening to see what we could do to support each other – that developed well and gave me more confidence to get out there. I can certainly recommend networking with chocolate fudge cake!
This eventually brought me to a small group of highly trusted people in business within a now-demised network – this group was highly supportive of everyone involved and many of us have remained in touch and will remember that we really did care about each other – that never really goes away when most of us have bared our business souls to each other.
It was within that group that I got to know Andy Lopata – one of our finest networkers – he invited me to a Google hangout in which he and Ivan Misner, who I don’t know directly but of course who also knows a thing or two about this networking lark (he created BNI), interviewed Jennifer Kahnweiler about her work and books around Networking for Introverts. Just up my street and it was a very enjoyable half hour (I do love that it is only this long), one I’d recommend to anyone, not just introverts – everyone should bear in mind that it takes all kinds of personalities to succeed, that the quiet people may indeed have more to share, I’d argue ;). It reminded me of my own times out there in the networking world – the frustration at not being heard and generally giving up if it was just not possible for the louder people to allow other opinions to be included. I’m not anti-extroverts, more pro inclusive people who have the sense to welcome all voices.
One event I do want to, and will, attend as soon as I can is a national WordCamp (a coming-together of WordPress geek-types). While I’m nothing like as geeksome as most that attend such, I will learn much and want to go, being a fan and all… The thought terrifies me on one level – the introvert in me really does not want to go. My way of handling this will be to volunteer as a helper and also to attend the contributor day just before, so I’m giving something and have a purpose, a reason to be there – something Jennifer suggests in her book. This works for me and I was all set up to do just that last month for the London WordCamp, which I could not attend (thanks, gallstones!), but which I’ll certainly make next time…
If any of this rings a bell for you, do watch the video, and perhaps share your ways of handling networking – what works for you?
Many thanks for this blog Babs. It’s so pleasing to know that our interview with Jennifer made such an impression and really appreciate you sharing your own take and experiences.
Babs – I agree with Andy – great post! Glad you found the 30 minutes a good use of your time. “I love communication but I hate phone calls. ” is my fave line in your bio:)