Networking 101: My Introvert’s Journey from Awkward Pitches to Genuine Connections
Confession time: For a while there, networking felt like wading through molasses in a suit. After the whole COVID-induced digital Google Meets and Teams calls, I felt truly disconnected from my local business community. While convenient, it also felt… well… isolating and decidedly anti-social. I’d dabbled in networking events before, but honestly, I never quite hit my stride. As a card-carrying introvert, my strategy was often to wait patiently for people to approach me, rather than adopting the “go-get-’em” attitude some folks seem to effortlessly embody.
I always felt this immense pressure to put on a hardcore networker game face, storm into events, and unleash a barrage of “sell, sell, sell” and “brag, brag, brag.” But that’s not me. I tried, but it always felt like wearing someone else’s ill-fitting shoes. If I don’t like being pressured to buy something, why would I inflict that on others? It felt about as natural as a fish riding a bicycle. I’ve always loathed the hard-sales persona.
This year, I made a pact with myself to commit to maximizing opportunities by attending as many events as I could. And my secret weapon? One simple, profound shift: I listened more. Revolutionary, I know. Instead of shoving a business card in someone’s face or lurking with a pitch ready like a sniper in a bell tower, I took a different approach.
The Unlikely Power of Shutting Up and Listening
Talking less and genuinely listening to people’s stories has been more fulfilling and informative than any networking experience I’ve had before. It’s also been enjoyable! My anxiety levels plummeted because I stopped pressuring myself to get a sale—a strategy that never worked and usually led me to give up on these events entirely.
Now, I actually look forward to networking events. Simply asking, “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?” opens up a world of conversation. It turns out that people love sharing their stories. I let them pitch to me, and in doing so, I’ve learned an incredible amount about diverse industries and what makes them tick. I’ve stumbled upon so many fascinating niche businesses I never knew existed; more often than not, I found a natural, unforced way to share my own story and how Generator Design could fit into their world.
Building Bridges, Not Just Business Cards
While not every conversation resulted in an immediate “aha!” connection, what I was truly doing was building and establishing relationships. I got to share my experiences, pass on contacts I’d accumulated over the years, and help other businesses find potential opportunities. In return, I connected with genuine, memorable individuals. If any opportunities arise in my life or theirs, I’m confident we’d refer each other. It’s a two-way street, paved with good intentions and mutual respect.
In a nutshell, that’s my humble definition of Networking 101. I’m sure some hardcore sales gurus might call it a soft approach, but I refuse to be someone I’m not just for a one-off sale. I’m in it for the long-term relationships, for respectful, empathetic, and kind connections. I want to enjoy working with people who share my values. If not, what’s the point? Life’s too short for awkward elevator pitches and forced smiles.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the networking waters, here are a couple of local organizations that host events I’ve found valuable:
