Thursday, September 03, 2009
"But... I'm Too Shy To Network!"
Jezebel: "In 2008, I started attending conferences with Carmen, had a pocketful of business cards that I only distributed a few of, and felt really uncomfortable and nervous in crowds. This year, she asked me for tips on networking. What changed?"
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7 comments:
My friends have always told me that i network in my sleep- i find people to talk to at every event, and often they end up being able to help me in some way. This article, however, tells me what i need to do to become a better networker. Previously, i just did what i did naturally. After reading this, i start to see some of the goals i should have in mind when talking to people. I especially like the three strikes rule that is proposed.
I'm TERRIBLE at networking. I never know what to say or do. This article is incredibly useful to someone like me, because now I could actually get out there, and have some way of knowing how to talk to people. (And reading the comments after the article really helped because other people gave advice as well.) Like Brian, I'm also a fan of the three strikes rule. It seems a rather clever way of forcing oneself to network, and having a plan, while at the same time limiting the amount of people so as to avoid being overwhelmed. (Of course if conversations are going well, you'll automatically start talking to more than three people.)
I always find myself at a loss when it comes to networking. I'm social enough, but in a professional or formal environment I get really shy. I too like her three openings rule, but most importantly I like what she says about keeping up with one's contacts. You never know how important keeping up with someone might be. However, I've found this to be a challenge as well, because who has the time? She gives numerous examples of how to keep in touch even with a busy schedule. Everyone has to take a lunch break so why not go to lunch with someone. This article gives me a lot to think about and internalize.
Networking always seems horrifying when you're staring at a sea of strangers but the trick I like which the writer mentions is finding a 'hang buddy.' Not only does it make the room seem less scary, but if you look like you're having a great time then people will want to introduce themselves to you.
I think this was an interesting article... I myself am much more of an introvert, much like the author of the article described herself. I feel completely awkward and out of place in situations were I don't know many people, but the author here gives some good tips. However, I do believe it is still a lot easier said than done, and for anyone that truly feels out of place in social situations, it is still going to be a challenge to try the different things mentioned in the article.
One of the hardest things about networking is probably balancing that fine line between being social and being "after something." For most people, they are afraid to assert themselves to get what they want because they feel like they are using people. So besides needing an article on how to put ourselves out there, we need an article about where to draw the line between friends and business associates or that in between. Keeping up with contacts is probably the most important subject one could touch on with networking. We have so many different facets for communication nowadays which ones are appropriate?
I like the three people/three topics idea on how to network at events. Im a horrible networker beacuse I'm just really shy and bad at promoting myself, but I try really hard to make friends whenever I'm at a large event with a lot of people I don't know. I like what the author said about trying to make a couple friends rather than trying to meet everyone in the room. I know people who do that and are really good at it, but if I tried to meet everyone in a room, I would forget all of their names and what they did, and so it would be awkward if I ever saw them again. I'm definitely one of those people who would rather have nine really good friends than ninety acquaintances.
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