How to Make Networking Less Intimidating

If networking makes you anxious, here’s one of my favorite confidence shortcuts: Confidence comes from purpose. When I used to go to big conferences, the breaks were the hardest part. Everyone wandering around, trying to figure out who to talk to… and I’d freeze. So I gave myself a simple purpose: Get in line. Any line. I’d stand in the longest Starbucks line, grab a tiny coffee, then get in another line for a snack, then another line for a treat. Every time I stood in line I talked to the person ahead of me or behind me (whichever one seemed less interested in their phones). And it worked. I ended up meeting dozens of people this way. Lines give you a gentle, built-in way to talk to people without the pressure of walking up cold. I’d say something simple, “Learn anything cool at this conference so far?” This worked super well for quickly getting to do a chemistry check with someone. If it worked, we would sit down together or take a walk. If not, we wished each other well. But the real magic trick is this: After you get your coffee or snack, stand near the spot where people step out of the line. That moment when someone turns back toward the room — drink in hand, scanning for who to talk to — that’s your opening. You can make it super easy and warm: • “Love that coffee. Is it good?” • “What brings you here today?” • “Such a fun event, right?” They’re relieved someone spoke first. You’re relieved you had a purpose. And the conversation flows naturally. It becomes a win-win. Networking doesn’t have to feel scary. It just needs purpose. At your next event: • Find a line • Chat with the people around you • Say hello to the person who steps out next It’s one of the easiest ways to have great conversations without forcing a single moment.

Networking for Introverts Lessons from my Singapore Management University workshop Networking advice often sounds the same: "Speak up, hand out business cards, follow up within 24 hours." Useful, yes—but let's take it a step further. Here’s the advice that’s helped even the shyest professionals stand out: 1️⃣ Do Recon on Attendees (Without Being Creepy) Before events, research key attendees or speakers on LinkedIn. Note shared interests or recent achievements to weave into conversations. And if Wi-Fi is spotty at events? Save profiles offline for reference. Being prepared makes even the most introverted among us feel in control. 2️⃣ Ask Thoughtful, Unexpected Questions After building some quick rapport, try asking: "What’s the most exciting thing happening in your industry right now?" "If you weren’t in [current role], what would you be doing?" It shows genuine curiosity and sparks meaningful conversations. 3️⃣ It’s not about you—it’s about them. Practice active listening to uncover their hidden professional needs. Ask questions like, “What’s been your biggest challenge this year?” and offer insights or solutions. Giving value leaves a lasting impression. Networking doesn’t have to feel forced or superficial. Introverts can thrive by leveraging their strengths—preparation, thoughtfulness, and a genuine desire to connect. What’s one unorthodox networking tip that’s worked for you? Share it in the comments! 👇

"I hate networking." I hear this all the time. And I get it. The idea of walking up to strangers at events, making small talk, and asking for favors feels forced and uncomfortable. But here's the truth: networking doesn't have to feel like networking. Here's how to build genuine connections without being awkward: Start with warm connections. Don't cold message strangers on LinkedIn. Start with: → Former colleagues → Alumni from your school → Mutual contacts who can introduce you → People you've worked with before These conversations are easier because there's already a foundation. Lead with offering value, not asking for favors. Don't start with: "Can you help me find a job?" Start with: "I saw your post about [topic] and thought you might find this article interesting." Or: "Congratulations on your new role! I'd love to hear how it's going." Give first. Ask later. Use LinkedIn to build relationships before asking for anything. Don't send a connection request and immediately ask for something. Instead: → Engage with their posts (thoughtful comments, not just "Great post!") → Share their content when it's relevant → Send a message just to catch up, no agenda Build the relationship over time. When you do reach out, make it easy for them. Don't say: "Can I pick your brain?" Say: "I'd love to hear about your experience at [Company]. Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat? I'm happy to work around your schedule." Be specific about what you're asking for and respect their time. Schedule "informational coffee chats" instead of calling it networking. Reframe it in your mind. You're not networking. You're: → Learning from someone's experience → Having a conversation about your industry → Building a relationship with someone interesting Take the pressure off yourself. Follow up and stay in touch; don't just reach out when you need something. After the conversation: → Send a thank you note within 24 hours → Share an article or resource they might find useful → Check in every few months (congratulate them on wins, share updates) Stay on their radar in a genuine way. The best networking doesn't feel transactional. It feels like building real relationships with people you respect. And those relationships? They're the ones that actually lead to opportunities. Save this post so you're ready to network without the awkwardness.

Traditional networking is broken. It is loud, draining, and simply not as effective. Flip the script. Make networking not just effective, but fun. ❌ You do not need to play their game. As an introvert, you already have the edge. You create deeper, more meaningful connections. ✅ You just need to lean into what works for you. Here is your guide to building a powerful network; on your terms. 1️⃣ Find meaningful moments. Skip the noisy crowd. Where do real connections happen? In calm spaces, with approachable people. Shared interests? A quiet energy? That’s your person. 2️⃣ Focus on one great connection. Do you really need to meet everyone? One real conversation beats ten surface chats. Look for someone curious or engaged. That is where the value lies. 3️⃣ Set your own rules. Who says you have to stay all night? Decide how long you want to be there. Pick how many people you want to meet. Protect your energy. It is yours to manage. 4️⃣ Take recharge breaks. Feeling drained? Step away. Find a quiet corner or head outside. Breathe. Reset. Then come back stronger. 5️⃣ Bring a wingperson. Why do it alone if you do not have to? Go with someone who knows you. They can help with introductions. You can focus on the connection, not the crowd. 6️⃣ Ask, then listen. What’s the easiest way to connect? Start with a thoughtful question. “What excites you about your work?” Let them talk. Listening makes people feel heard. 7️⃣ Stick to events that suit you. Why force yourself into constant small talk? Go to workshops or panels. Listen, learn, and join in when it feels right. 8️⃣ Skip the room, use the DMs. Big events feel overwhelming? No problem. Follow up later. Send a message. Be direct and intentional. 9️⃣ Let people come to you. What if you did not have to chase connections? Share your thoughts online. Posts and comments attract like-minded people. 🔟 Find your own style. Networking does not have to look one way. Coffee chats. Small meetups. Online groups. Do it in a way that fits you. ❌ Networking is not about doing everything. ✅ It is about doing what feels right. And when you find your flow, connections will come naturally. ————— I am Sven, and my mission is to help introverted entrepreneurs and professionals thrive as who they are while protecting their energy to focus on their dreams. Want to learn more? Check my profile, subscribe to my newsletter, or feel free to reach out anytime.

👻👻 A (professional) introvert's guide to making Networking Events Less Spooky 👻👻 If you fear networking events, copy my playbook. True story: I fear "networking events" on multiple levels. If biz dev wasn't part of my role with Remedy Public Relations, I'd be happy with a more behind-the-scenes role mentoring & strategizing (#careergoals). How do I make it "seem" easy? Preparation & strategy. 1. Show up EARLY. It's easier to strike up a conversation at the beginning than try to inject yourself after. 2. Be distinct. I like to wear one piece of flair that relates to who I am outside the office. My long-distance running shoes (Nike Zoom Fly Five / Hyper Pink), are a conversation starter. ⛳️ Do you play golf? Wear a golf shirt from a brand that only fellow golfers would know. IYKYK 3. Don't rush in. Whenever possible, I'll work remotely near the event. This gives me time to relax & collect myself before walking in. 4. Don't ask what someone does. That's transactional & many fear that question if they're between roles. Ask what they're up to. Let them choose the path. 5. Talk to everyone. I HATE the term referral partners, but I've received some great leads from people far removed from PR & marketing. 6. Plan to chat. Prepare to discuss something you're working on that you're excited about. - No one likes someone who only talks about their job. Be prepared to get personal. What did you do the weekend before that was exciting, or what are you looking forward to this weekend? Sound obvious? Sure… but I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, so if you put me on the spot, I may forget if I didn't prepare. 7. Slide into those DMs. See who registered you want to meet & drop them a note. No list? Check who posted about going to the last event on social media. Drop them a note. 8. What's a challenge you or your industry is facing? Keep that in mind for conversations. 9. Work on your penmanship. If you have to write your own nametag at an event, it helps if people can read it. We also have little Remedy PR stickers to throw at the bottom of the nametags. Side note: Jonah Peake 🐺 has posted before about putting your nametag upside down to spark conversations. 10. Check your network to see who is going, but don't cling to them. I saw a lot of people I know & like at Connect's #IDSD24 a few weeks back, but I didn't sit with anyone too long. Move around. 11. Consistency brings comfort. Commit to a regular series of events so you start seeing some of the same people. It will make conversations less daunting & keep you in mind for later. 12. Stress builds strength. I try to commit to one new event or meeting a month that takes me outside my bubble. Makes the next one easier. 13. Drop a line to them after you meet. Keep the ball moving. Some pics below of people I met for the first time or strengthened relationships by going to networking events within the last six weeks. Kanani, Robyn Goldberg, Jason, Lu, Scott, Susan.

How to: network effectively without burning out as an introvert If we haven't met, you may be surprised to learn that I'm an introvert. As a neurodivergent only child, meeting new people drains my battery -- quickly. I enjoy it and find new people fascinating, but whew am I exhausted after an hour or two of small talk. If this sounds like you, I know how intimidating and unappealing the idea of 'networking' can be. I also know how critical it is to your growth and ability to achieve your goals. Here are a few strategies that have worked for me: 🎯 Narrow your goal from 'networking' to building relationships with a specific subset of people. Building a network or community seems like a massive, massive task. Building more relationships with X type of people in Y industry feels much more manageable. Identify your goal, focus on finding that type of person, figure out how you can add value for that type of person, and don't try to boil the ocean. 🤝 Find the connection methodology and format that works best for you and your strengths. I'm a terrible auditory processor, so I am much better at connecting meaningfully asynchronously vs. live. As a result, I try to optimize for that as often as I can. If I'm meeting with someone live, I try to keep it more conversational and less transactional as I know I'll execute better if we follow up in writing. To get to this state, I needed to accept my weaknesses and learn how to gracefully lean into my strengths to optimize for outcome. You need to do the same. 🧪 Run experiments and measure results. Take note of what gets you the results you're looking for. Does introducing yourself one way or another lead to more fruitful conversations? Does a certain anecdote really seem to land every time? Did a comment you made or story you told flop? No problem, just take note of that. The more you experiment with how you connect, the more effective you'll become over time. 📈 Set reasonable goals for yourself. When I go to an in person event or happy hour, I set a goal. Usually, it's that I need to meaningfully connect with 2 or 3 new people. Once I hit that goal, I give myself permission to leave if I'm not having fun. I'd say I end up leaving around 50% of the time at that point, but just having that pre-set expectation and permission reduces my stress levels significantly. 👀 Free yourself from what you think networking is supposed to look like. There are a lot of people who network very loudly on the internet. You don't need to be that person in order to build a community around you. That method might work for them (it also might not - who the heck knows what's actually going on in their lives), but that's just one approach. Fellow introverts who have successfully built a strong network - what tips and tricks did I miss?

I always thought networking was reserved for extroverts. I learned how to make it work for me—and it started with posting content. As an introvert, networking always felt like a mountain I couldn’t climb. The idea of walking into a room full of strangers, initiating conversations, or even reaching out electronically made me uncomfortable. I’d often feel like I was at a disadvantage compared to people who could easily charm a crowd or connect on the spot. But a mentor gave me a piece of advice that completely changed my approach: “Why not let your content do the networking for you?” They explained how creating and sharing content could help bridge the gap. By consistently posting about my interests, expertise, and experiences, I could open doors for networking without always having to initiate conversations. Instead, my posts would show up in people’s feeds, giving them a chance to get to know me—my thoughts, personality, and the value I bring—on their own terms. And they were right. Posting content became a game changer. Not only did it spark meaningful conversations with people who resonated with my ideas, but it also made networking feel more natural and authentic. Now, instead of forcing interactions, I let my posts break the ice, and connections come easier than ever before. For anyone else out there who feels like introversion is a barrier to networking: let your voice be heard through your posts. It’s not about being loud—it’s about being visible. 💡 What’s been your experience with using content to connect? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #NetworkingTips #BuildingConnections #LinkedInTips #ContentCreation

Sometimes I really hate networking. The generic questions like “How’s work?” or “Nice weather we’re having.” The awkward silence feeling when neither person knows what to say. The fake-promise break off “Yes, let’s keep in touch.” or “I’ll definitely circle back.” I’m someone who loves quiet and enjoys deeper conversations. So, large events, like conferences, often feels like a chore. But I know networking is really important. And I do genuinely want to connect with people. So, over the years, I’ve learn how to network in a way that feels more me. Here are 6 strategies that have helped. I hope they help you too! 1/ Pre-connect online ➙ If the event has a guest list, I always reach out ahead of time. ➙ "Hey, I saw we’re both attending [event]. Would love to say a quick hello while there!" ➙ This erases the initial awkwardness and gives me an anchor.   2/ Set a micro-goal ➙ Instead of feeling the need to “network with everyone,” I set a goal. ➙ “I’ll have [x] real conversations and then I can leave.” ➙ This gives me purpose and permission.   3/ Use the buddy system ➙ If it’s possible, I bring a colleague or friend. ➙ If not, I’ll hook up early with someone I know. ➙ We tag-team conversations and give each other talk breaks.   4/ Have go-to questions ready ➙ When my energy is low, thinking on the fly is hard. ➙ I keep a couple of easy, genuine openers in my pocket: ➙ “What session are you most excited to attend?” or “What’s something interesting you’ve been working on lately?” 5. Reframe networking as a favor to future-me ➙ Just because I don’t love it in the moment, doesn’t mean I’m not grateful I went. ➙ When I've used all of my words, I exit gracefully (and guilt-free). 6/ Always follow up ➙ It’s impossible to connect with everyone, so this step is crucial. ➙ Reaching out post-event invites continued dialog and deepens connections that matter. Some people were born to network. Others, like me, were not. But showing up with a game plan really helps build meaningful connections that last. What is your networking survival tip? ___ ♻️ Share to support all forms of networking! 🔔 Follow Dr. Heather Maietta for coaching tips that stick.

I’ve been to 100s of networking events. And I still regularly doubt myself as I first walk into the room. 🤔 Do I belong here? 🤔 Will anyone want to talk to me? Quite quickly, that fear disappears after the hardest bit – finding that first person to say hi to. You realise people are there to chat, not judge. Reflecting on what’s helped me enjoy rather than fear events, here’s some tips I hope are useful to share. 📄 Practice Your Intro: Explain what you do, succinctly. ❓ Ask Questions: Show genuine interest in others. 🌦️ Small Talk: If you're stuck, chat about the weather! 🗣️ Join Conversations: Don’t be afraid to step in, but listen first rather than interrupt. 🤝 Be a Connector: Introduce people who might benefit from knowing each other. 📧 Follow Up Promptly: Stay in touch with those you want to connect with further. 😊 Smile: A friendly face goes a long way. 📸 Capture the Moment: Take photos and share them on social media. It's a great way to promote the event and help the organisers. Remember, everyone else probably feels the same fear – so say hello and make it easier for them as well as yourself!

Wrapped up my first SaaStr.ai event this week. And it got me thinking of something we rarely talk about as founders: networking is both essential and unnatural. Especially for those of us who find walking up to strangers somewhere between awkward and exhausting. Here’s what helped me navigate the room (insights shaped by trial, error, and a bit of Jeffrey Pfeffer’s realism about power and influence) 1. Accept the discomfort Networking isn’t supposed to feel natural. It’s a learned skill, not a personality trait. The first step is to stop waiting until it feels comfortable, because it never does. Also, if it does for you, please share your secret. 2. Treat every conversation as an exchange, not a pitch You’re not “selling yourself” You’re connecting information, ideas, and people. Ask smart questions. Be curious. People remember being listened to. 3. Prepare two sentences One about who you are. One about what problem your startup is solving. Having that ready helped skip the anxiety of improvising when someone asks, “Cool name - What does Data Dumpling do?” 4. Use the environment Standing next to the coffee line? Comment on the queue. Sitting in a session? Ask the person beside you what they thought. Small moments open big doors. 5. Follow up fast Momentum fades. Drop a short message that says something specific about your conversation. It shows intent and differentiates you from those who “meant to follow up.” I’m not an extrovert, I need to reset after social interactions. And my biggest learning is that networking isn’t about being charismatic. It’s about showing up (again and again) until you’re part of the flow. That’s the real hustle.