Subscribe to Blog

Your email:

Our Twitter Followers:

Join our 1,800+ followers!
The Fillmore SF Neil Patel Thomas Jackson Angela McPherson Ann Neir Work Awesome Nancy Prager Tanya Phyllis Mufson Julianna Hynes Heather Nelson The Institute Elena Popec Alexis Yee Lyn Chan Silvia Pencak Marielle, Catalyst Cara Lenoir C. Nzingha Smith Madhavi Bhasin Silvia Pencak A. B. J. SNC2 Ink Bets Emily Dunn Sheri Tingle GreenGrassMarketing AYUDA LLC Marv Dorner Camille Gaines Tara Cousineau, PhD Upgrade Cathy Thompson Avril Jones Tracy Salkowitz, MSW Lori McIntosh CardamomCocoa xTiburon Womenworking.com Manu Leai Rose JaneHoran Kathy Batz Shasta Nelson Mira Lane Jennifer Griola katedonohue @rtie Debidien NatlDevCouncil NDC Emily Correa Mally Skok Caroline Howard arr barr ABCs of Change Diamond Dave Jewelry Theresa Condon Betty Wright ALisa Starkweather Christie Cruz Jean Scribner Nat Trier and Company Tabby Biddle Heidi Sistare Celeste Paradise LaunchPad! San Diego Alex Ippolite-Gibson Andi Calotta Kristin and Michelle SiteOneServices Inc. LaTanya Orr Allie Heeren Health Wealth Self @.l.interpretations Clout & About Randi Markel
My Twitter Followers

Sponsors

describe the image

Follow Me

Women's Leadership Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Networking Tips for Shy People

  
  
  
  
  
  

A member of Future Women Leaders posted an interesting article to the FWL LinkedIn Group regarding networking tips for those of us who..well...aren't too excited to be networking in the first place.  Networking events can often be stressful times for shy women. Meridith Levinson defines several tips for stressless networking in CIO's "How to Network: 12 Tips for Shy People":

  1. Start small: practice networking with people you are already familiar with - co-workers, past colleagues, family, friends
  2. Stop apologizing: approach a conversation with confidence
  3. Tap into your primal instincts: humans are social creatures by nature
  4. Be yourself: that's it... just be yourself
  5. Tap into your passions: join clubs or attend events that attract people with interests similar to yours
  6. Ask for introductions: don't cling on to just one "buddy" throughout the event
  7. Be generous: generosity goes a long way when you're networking
  8. Be prepared: practice your personal pitch
  9. Follow up: send a follow up email to whomever you met at the event; most people don't, and it will make you stand out
  10. Get over your fear of rejection: think of it this way - the other person is probably just as terrified of introducing herself to you

I think the first 10 tips are the most poignant; read the article for the full list plus commentary.  Above all, when networking always keep in mind that everyone is there for the same reason: to meet other people and broaden their network.  Have any other networking tips?  Let us know in the comments.

 Need to improve your networking skills? Sign up for FWL's March event, Networking 101: A Savvy Woman's Tips.

Comments

I'll add three steps to the process:  
1- practice,  
2- practice,  
3- practice 
 
The Mompreneurgroup Blog<a>http://www.mompreneurgroup.com/sales-marketing/gosh-dont-you-twitter-find-out-why-you-should.php also tells in a short note WHY you should also do virtual networking and HOW to do so with a simple & powerful video-quote from Perry Belcher. <<...Internet marketing guru Perry Belcher demonstrates how YOU can use social media in business "without being a jerk".>>
Posted @ Friday, February 13, 2009 4:12 AM by Armel Bile
I'll try to get the link to work this time ;) 
 
Mompreneurgroup Blog Note <a>http://www.mompreneurgroup.com/sales-marketing/gosh-dont-you-twitter-find-out-why-you-should.php<a>
Posted @ Friday, February 13, 2009 4:14 AM by Armel Bile
Post Comment
Name
 *
Email
 *
Website (optional)
Comment
 *

Allowed tags: <a> link, <b> bold, <i> italics

Silicon Valley Bay Area | San Francisco | San Mateo | Berkeley | Palo Alto | Santa Clara | San Jose