We all can agree that we live in a noisy world. Everyone is vying for attention, especially at networking events. So, how does an introvert stand out and be noticed? My perspective is when networking, make sure you have an apparent, concise reason why someone would want to form a relationship with you. * How do you add value to others' lives? Know this before you enter the room. * Display and convey your strengths, but leave your ego at the door. * Remember, you can’t control how other perceives you, but you can control what you put out into the world. * Always be genuine and authentic, and don’t put on airs to impress someone who doesn’t need impressing. * Make sure you emphasize being worth knowing, not being well known. Go!

Connecting with people in large settings can be parsed down to smaller interactions. Find ways to connect with one or two people, in lieu of trying to join conversations taking place in large groups. Ask people questions about themselves. Think about these queries in advance. It is more important to be interested than interesting. Remember to take time to decompress after networking. It is important to honor your introverted nature and acknowledge the time needed to rest and recharge.

Look, no one wants to sell themselves. It's a common sentiment, especially for us introverts who might find self-promotion uncomfortable. But here's the twist: when I shifted my focus from 'selling myself' to 'how my work benefits others', everything changed. It's not about putting on a show; it's about genuinely wanting to make a difference. This approach allows me to concentrate on my passion and the impact it can have. The reality is, we all want to do what we love and help people. If that becomes your driving force, the networking and brand-building seem less daunting and more purposeful.

One thing that worked for me as super shy and introverted person was to find out my celebrity archetypes within my top 3 sacred money archetypes (yes, there is such a thing as sacred money archetypes) and that helped me to activate my voice and feeling safe showing up. Another thing that also help me is to have an idea of who is going to show up (do a little digging), be on time (even arrive earlier) and go and meet the person with the biggest smile whose shoes are pointing outward (body language suggest they are open). Anyone else using any of these tips?

As an extrovert on the far end of the spectrum, married to a very far-the-other-way introvert, I've learned a few things. Introvert doesn't mean someone can't network and connect with others. It just means you're often more comfortable in smaller groups. So instead of big networking events with lots of people, finding micro-communities can be much better. Also, your personal brand (reputation) is yours. You probably don't want to be inauthentic and portray yourself as something you're not. Be you and gather like-minded people within your circle. Finally, don't be afraid to work on getting outside that comfort zone. Find trusted folks to help you with that.

When we prioritise delivering value, we can shift our focus away from ourselves. Begin by showing up with the intention of sharing just one valuable tip related to something you're knowledgeable or skilled in – even just one small contribution weekly can be a great start. Remember that personal branding varies from person to person; some people's brand revolves around selfies, while others focus on creating informative infographics. Tailor it to suit your preferences and strengths, not the other way around. Consider sharing a post or article that you find interesting and adding a brief paragraph explaining why you like it. Posting once a week is manageable, and as you continue, you'll become more comfortable. Baby steps.

As an introvert, and personal brand geek, this is something I’ve spent loads of time thinking about. If you’re like me, personal branding can seem daunting, and there’s no way to fully build a personal brand with an online brand only, but building a good online personal brand will help you with the first impressions, and lasting impressions, and give you more mental space to focus on the networking!

Introverts possess exceptional communication skills that shine in diverse platforms: Online Live Sessions: Deliberate, insightful content delivery. Audio Podcasts: Meaningful, intimate one-on-one conversations. Social Media Posts: Thoughtful, engaging written expression with visual appeal. Their introspective nature fosters profound, impactful communication, emphasizing empathy and deep connections, making their message compelling across various mediums.

Working from a quiet office and behind the shield of a screen can prove remarkably positive for introverts. Being able to tap into our public persona and letting it recharge is key. Being mindful of: Energy levels: Be aware of personal energy levels and triggers.Introverts are sensitive to stimuli, including online ones.Tailor your interactions and networking style accordingly. Consistency: Consistency is vital for trust and credibility. Find the one that works for you. Harness Overthinking: Use the power of overthinking judiciously.Pause and reflect before responding to important questions.But try to avoid endless rumination! Listening Superpower: Leverage your listening skills in negotiations, questioning and conversations.

For me, in person events were always a step out of my comfort zone. I've never thrived in small talk, but thrived in those deeper conversations that you sometimes don't get in a large networking event. One on one in person events, phone calls, and online connections have really helped me build my brand. - Articles online, posts, comments, Reddit pages - all allow you to build your presence. Hashtags help. #RecruiterSteph - Post often, and relevant information to what you do and know. - And lastly, even though its an online presence, you should still provide that human touch - personal stories, pictures or videos, something that allows people to know that you are more than just a username on a screen.

Just think about how many of your potential clients or colleagues are introverts themselves and how much they would appreciate communication style tailored to them. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room, but you can be most calm, thoughtful and insightful and people are going to love you exactly for that.

Quality is key here, in the industry I’m in, I could spend every day at some sort of networking event, or conference or meeting with vendors, but that doesn’t always add value. Try to pick the events that have the most value add back to you, in terms of the most people you want to network with, or the most value add content, and build your networking event strategy around these. Go to fewer, more quality events, and use the rest of the time to recharge your batteries!

Networking is key to building meaningful connections. I am deliberate about Linkedin events and Lives that I attend as I am interested in building mutually valuable quality relationships with like-minded people. Prior to the event, I research potential contacts by viewing their profiles and then approaching a conversation with purpose by sending them a personalized DM in advance referencing the event or/and commenting on one of their posts that resonates with me making the interaction more meaningful. Also, post-event follow-ups are key to deepen and start a new connection connection. I sometimes send a simple DM expressing what I found interesting and asking them what points resonated with them.

Yes, there are lots of networking events one would love to attend, but lets face it - we cannot be everywhere at the same time! Fortunately, LinkedIn provides a great platform for networking online and making meaningful connections with professionals from around the world. With its search functions and other features, you can easily find people in your industry or area of expertise who could be potential customers, partners, mentors or even employers. The possibilities are virtually endless. I strongly recommend that everyone take advantage of this powerful tool to enhance their networking capabilities. Until next time, happy networking!

It feels extraordinary to allow yourself to network with the people that you build lasting connections with. As a introverted leader purposed with building up other introverted leaders, it is imperative that we practice embracing the concept of quality over quantity. There can be over 100 people in the room and I am purposely seeking to connect to at least 3 people so that I can release myself from the expectation of connecting with everyone. Once connected with those three, I will cultivate many more relationships based on who they are connected to as well. I have been doing this for the last few years and it has been very productive.

In my industry recruiters get a bad rap for not hearing what a candidate is saying, and connecting that with a potential job. For me, I take advantage of that and really get to know a candidate when working with them. The more they talk, the better I can understand what they do, but more importantly what they want to do moving forward. When you truly listen to the person you are talking to, you are deepening that relationship and building the trust which is vital.

Rather than focusing on being interesting, focused on being interested in the other person. Rather than feeling like you need to be super charismatic yourself, focus on drawing the charisma out in the person you're speaking to. I love the idea of inverse charisma, especially for introverts. First coined by a biographer to describe the writer E. M. Forster, inverse charisma is “a sense of being listened to with such intensity that you had to be your most honest, sharpest, and best self.” Or as Adam Grant describes, the “ability to ask such insightful questions with such sincere interest that [you bring] out a more insightful, more charming version of [the other person].”

One way to get started building your personal brand and audience as an introvert is by reading and commenting on the posts of those you want to build community with to demonstrate your genuine interest in them. By paying close attention to what others say, and leaving a thoughtful comment or question, you show respect for their opinions and perspectives. This sincerity helps build rapport and trust. When you absorb experiences and viewpoints from your audience, it enriches your understanding and enables you to learn from diverse experiences.

Listening skills are very important. They allow you to hear and understand what your colleagues, clients, and superiors are saying in order to respond appropriately and effectively. Not only do listening skills enable you to better serve others, but they also help you gain insight into different perspectives which can help improve communication among both parties. Additionally, good listening skills show that you are interested in the conversation and respect the other person. Therefore, it is beneficial to hone your listening skills in order to be a better communicator.

Introverts may be more inclined to take their time and consider a problem from different angles, rather than jumping right into action. Despite this, introverts are also capable of being proactive when necessary. They tend to work hard and stay focused on the task at hand. When it comes to networking or presenting ideas in front of a large group, introverts may need extra preparation and practice to feel more comfortable. There is much potential in the introverted mindset; it's just about finding a way to bring out each individual's unique strengths.

We have head it before and I will echo it again! Growth and comfort zone does not live on the same street. Introversion is not a disease and it does it not prevent you from showing up as your best self. Here is what you can do to get started: 1. Do it Afraid! 2. Plan and Prepare 3. Join a community of like minds! It is imperative that you stretch yourself. It doesn't mean that you have to stress yourself. Keep moving forward.

I can’t say this one enough, growth begins outside your comfort zone! As an introvert, that can be an absolute nightmare, but turn it to your advantage, and use the skills you have as an introvert, such as listening to forge strong connections, helping you understand pain points, and truly offer value back. It’s also super rewarding as an introvert at the end of a networking event, or after stepping off a stage after public speaking- you’ll love the thrill!

Doing what is uncomfortable makes us stronger. It is something I have taken to heart over the past few years, and has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Whether it's taking a risk in business, making difficult decisions, or having challenging conversations with people, I've become more comfortable being uncomfortable! Anything worth doing takes some amount of hard work and courage.

It's always easy for extroverts and naturally gregarious people to say 'yep, jump out of your comfort zone'. For an introvert I would say, start small. If the big goal is to deliver a keynote speech at a networking event, then start by attending and emailing the organiser with some feedback on how you thought it went. Set your big goal and then break it down into manageable steps - even if some of them are out of your comfort zone.

For me, establishing solid foundations for recharging in between tasks and designing my workload and schedule around my energy levels and personality type has been key in building a sustainable career. Don't get me wrong – as a connector, I find immense joy from forging connections, be it connecting individuals in my circle or facilitating opportunities. Nonetheless, I find the greatest fulfilment from social gatherings IRL or online when I have time to retreat into the serenity of my space afterward to recharge. I created a consistency quiz to help clients and myself know exactly how to plan online interactions, videos or calls to avoid burnout. Knowing this is a game changer and makes being productive and consistent so much easier.

Here's a tip for introverts who are uncomfortable with self promotion: Focus on IDEA Promotion + Self DISCLOSURE over Self Promotion Here’s the difference (paraphrased from Adam Grant): - Self Promotion: Look at me and how amazing I am - Idea Promotion: Here’s something I learned that you might find valuable - Self Disclosure: Here’s where I’ve struggled and what you can learn from it In my experience, focusing on the last two makes it easier for me to put myself out there because it's no longer about me, but about helping others.