Go-Getter, Helper, Promoter, Skeptic. Everyone is different. Look up anything about personality types, and you’ll find a wide variety of different options.

With such widely different personalities out there, any encounter can feel challenging, …especially in a room full of strangers. In the world of networking, this can make things a little complicated.
Not everyone is an extrovert or someone who can wander into any room and make a friend of everyone there. Introverts make up 30-50% of the population. This means one-third to one-half of us have likely struggled to fit in at one point or another.

When you’re trying to network, learning the social graces which will enable you to optimize your interactions becomes crucial. This is especially true if you’re not a social butterfly. Most people who struggle to fit in often question whether networking is even worth it. In this article, you’ll find the answer on how to prepare your talking points. It is possible to become a skilled networker, even if you feel like you’ve always lacked the skills or ability. Take a deep breath and dive right in. It’s time to shake off whatever preconceived notions have been holding you back.

Why Networking Matters

Anybody who wants to get ahead needs to network.

Think about that statement. Chances are you’ve heard it before, but how much have you taken it to heart? If you’re not comfortable in social situations, you might have brushed this off a few times. Perhaps you’ve told yourself your high quality of work alone will get you where you want to go. You feel you’re already meeting enough people on the job who have influence. Or maybe you’re just trusting fate to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. There is no fairy godmother to wave a magic wand and make all your dreams come true. At some point, you’re going to have to network. It’s the means through which you affect change in your job situation. More than that, networking puts people into your life you need to do your job well and to get ahead. In short, Networking creates your team and sets you on the path to success. It’s pretty exciting, especially when you consider all the places you’d like to go someday.   

Know Your Key Talking Points

To the socially awkward, the talking part is the most terrifying.

You know people are going to ask about you, and you need to be prepared. Worse, sometimes you’re the one that’s going to need to be starting the conversation. If you’re not used to being the initiator, this can be especially awkward. It helps to show up prepared. Some tips:

Work out an Icebreaker

The right words from the start will make your entire encounter more restful and pleasant. Knowing what to say after the introduction becomes an art form of sorts. Some ideas of what to prepare to include:

Discussion about the Location

Yes, this is small talk, but it does help to get the ball rolling. Seize upon an interesting detail to use as a comment and let the conversation flow naturally from there.

Ask for Advice

If you know something about the person you’re talking to, then showing you respect and value their opinion by asking advice is the way to go. A little research beforehand will help you find the right people to ask, as well as give you ideas for questions.

Talk about Current Events

Glance at the headlines before you leave for the event. Read enough of the articles to talk intelligently about what the hot topics are.

Find a Question to Ask

Again, research is your friend. Ask about a pet project or hobby of the person you’re talking to and watch them light up. People love talking about the things of interest to them, and the fact that you’re willing to listen builds a strong connection, leaving behind a lasting (and favorable!) first impression.

Know How to Tell a Story

If someone is interested enough to ask about you, the last thing you want to do is to stand there giving them a dry bio of well-practiced facts. Offer instead an anecdote, something funny or interesting that tells them something about who you are. Having a great story is a way to be memorable in a good way, and to stand out from the crowd.

Watch Your Body Language

Sometimes it’s not so much what you say, but how you say it. Where are your arms? What does your posture say about you? Watch how you move in a mirror. Practice talking in a relaxed stance, showing you’re interested. Ask for feedback from friends and family about your body language and what it tells others.

Know when to shut up and listen

There comes a time when the last thing you should do is to give an elevator pitch. Become practiced at reading the body language of others. Notice when interest is flagging, or when attention wanders. At such points become practiced at pulling whatever you’re saying to a halt, and asking questions, giving the other person a chance to speak.

Be real

You’re not playing a role. The most important thing is just to be you. If you’re socially awkward, this can be especially intimidating. Guess what? The real you is always more interesting. How can you use this information beforehand? Practice being real with the people around you. Become comfortable in your skin. Embrace who you are, introvert and all. The more you like yourself, the more others will as well.

The Elevator Pitch

There’s a lot of controversy about elevator pitches, starting with whether you should use them at all. The problem is, most pitches sound rehearsed (because you’ll be doing precisely that). Beware of getting so good that you wind up just rattling off the sentences so fast no one can follow what you’re saying. When you do this, it quickly becomes obvious you’re not even listening to the words anymore.

So, what can you do?
Craft a pitch that gives you a solid understanding of what you want to say, easily tailored to different situations. Conversationally give a pitch. Use it when asked directly about why you’re at the event. After some practice, you’ll start to see the opportunities to use your pitch – and the red flags telling you when it wouldn’t be a good idea.

What should your pitch include?

·         What is your goal? State in 1-3 sentences what you’re trying to do.

·         Focus on a problem you’re solving or how you intend to help people.

·         Talk about what’s unique about your solution.

·         Find a question to ask the listener that includes a call to action.

Overall, take time to practice your pitch. Have more than one variety of pitch to suit different listeners (for example, you would use a different pitch for someone you hope will invest in the project, vs. the pitch you would use to engage someone to take part in the project directly).

Are you feeling a little more prepared? Great! Let’s go to the event and learn how to make the most of your time once you’re there.

The Follow Up

Networking doesn’t end with the event.

Perhaps the most crucial part of networking is what you do with the contacts you’ve made after the event has ended. This is where you follow-up and begin the true work of social networking: building new relationships.

Keep in Touch

One follow-up does not create a relationship. Every few weeks freshen the acquaintance somehow, whether through a phone call, email or social media. The important thing is not to let the relationship die due to neglect.

Following up does not have to be intimidating. Even for those who are socially challenged, this can be managed fairly easily by remembering the basic rules you used when networking:

·         Start fresh and be ready to socialize.
·         Control the situation by setting up contact in places where you feel comfortable.
·         Rehearse what you want to say, whether you’re preparing for a phone call or a lunch engagement.

By now, you know what to do. All that remains is to put the whole thing into practice.

Conclusion

Get out there and dare great things. Meet new people and create relationships of lasting variety. Explore just how far you can go. The world is waiting for you!
In my coaching, I not only give you strategies on how to do self-marketing, but most importantly, I show you how to do it JUST like that. (especially how to get rid of those negative voices in your head).
Help others to see you. In my course SHOW UP! we start exactly with this topic. This is the start of training your success muscle.  Click here when you want to join the course to get the most recent information.

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