3 Networking Tips For Introverts | Hacker News Reader

3 Networking Tips For Introverts

dalethoughts.com

13 pointsdmd14911 comments

Just out of curiosity, how many of you would be interested on a "success strategies for introverts" series?

Yeap, that would definitely be interesting. You're suggestion of meeting one on one and at small events makes a lot of sense, thanks!

Glad you enjoyed the post! Is there anything particular areas where you'd want advice? I'd like to write one about introverts and traveling (though probably not a HN topic).

Actually, I went to India travelling once in my gap year and couldn't stand it due to loneliness despite being an introvert. So yeah, travelling as well as professional networking would be great.

I wrote the post! Check it out:

http://dalethoughts.com/2012/02/6-tips-for-introverted-trave...

I certainly would be. Reading all these how-to-articles by successful extroverts can be frustrating, since many tips simply would not work for introverts. It's refreshing to see an introvert's take on this.

Awesome. I definitely think there are some situations where introverts can "fake" being extroverts, but it's really more about putting yourself in situations where you're more likely to be successful.

I don't find #1 very good advice. The "celebrities" are the ones who you most need in your network, and you need to bite the bullet, navigate the crowd, and get at least a few minutes of facetime with them so they know who you are. Sending a cold email without having introduced yourself is going to get near-zero responses. Working a huge room may be overwhelming the first few times, but it gets much easier the more events you go to. Also disagree on #3 - sending very similar follow-up emails to a bunch of people is not too much effort and you need to do it within 24 hours so they don't forget you.

Agree on preferring 1-on-1s as opposed to group events, but most conferences / networking events offer exactly this kind of setting.

It depends on how memorable you are to the celebrities. I a hundred people are talking to him and you manage to get a minute in, it's still unlikely he'll remember you.

Cold e-mails get a pretty good response rate depending on a) who you're trying to contact and b) how you write the e-mail. E-mail non-celebrity types, compliment them on their work, and offer to help them in some way. It works more than you might think.

As for follow-up e-mails, I find only a small percentage of them convert into a meaningful relationship. That's why I believe it pays more to only talk to a few people for a longer period of time and following up with them via e-mail.

Unless you have a unique way of standing out, the best way to get remember as an introvert is having a longer conversation with someone.

I was just at Startup Weekend St. Louis and basically did a few of what he mentioned. We were in a room full of 100 people and I nearly shat myself when I went in. That's too many people for me to interact with. (click my username and go to my about page on my blog if you're interested in the journey of an extreme recluse)

What made the meetup work for me was avoiding talking to people unless we were in a hallway or in a room away from the noise. I don't think it's necessarily just "large groups of people" that annoy introverts. It's the noise and the energy. It's too distracting. When I'm in an area I soak up all the noises and colors, I walk around and explore and think about things. Every little object and sound in the room stimulates my brain. It makes me think of new ideas and new possibilities relating to the space. It's why I love being alone, I can enjoy the space much better because I can listen to it, and at the same time still think to myself.

But when there's lots of people in a bar, or at a beach, or a park, I find the people and the noises and colors distracting. I can't hear myself think. They interrupt my thoughts and that just pisses me off. I can't express myself because my mind is preoccupied listening to them. It's like trying to pass your drivers test in a war zone vs an abandoned part of town.

In the book Susan Cain talks about introverts being especially sensitive to external stimulus. This is generally an inherited trait and is detectable as a baby. Introverts are generally worse at introverts at simultaneously talking to people and being in a "stimulating" environment.

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