Networking is an important part of having a successful career over the long term or finding a great job; yet, for shy people networking can seem downright impossible.
It causes anxiety just at the thought of networking with other people.
The good news is that conquering shyness so that you can find a way to comfortably network is definitely possible. Here are a few useful tips to help you conquer shyness and start networking.
1Conquering Shyness By Starting Small
Start small with your networking efforts and then gradually build from there.
Make it a goal to make one small step toward networking on a daily basis.
If daily is too much try for a few times each week and start with people you know.
Start with one or two people as opposed to a whole group and this will help you to build your confidence. Conquering shyness isn't something that can happen in just a few days, it will take time. However, if you consistently try to take very small steps, you con conquer shyness.
2Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask others for help and support while you are working toward conquering shyness. More often than not shy people see asking for help as an imposition on another person instead of a gesture for networking. This is mainly because of your upbringing and the fact that you may have been turned away a lot when you asked for help at an early age. The reality is that many people are glad to help you if you ask them and some even take it as a compliment that you believe enough in their opinion to ask them for help or advice.
3Listen and Ask Questions
Many shy people shutter at the thought of networking because they think they will be pressured to do all of the talking. The reality is that other people like to know that they are heard and they like to talk about themselves. If you are shy but you are a good listener and you ask questions, people will think you are the best conversationalist around. Simply do this and have your business cards ready because chances are other people will ask for one when you are done.
4Set Up a Social Networking Profile
Regardless of whether you are looking for a job or running a business, social networking is a great way to network with other people that have interests similar to yours. It is also a great way to get noticed by potential employers since they search the social networking sites for qualified employees. Social networking is also a great tool for communicating with others if you are shy because shy people are usually better at writing down their thoughts and feelings than they are at expressing them verbally. Take a look at some of the great writers from the past who were or are extremely introverted.
5Join a Group of Interest
A great technique to start conquering shyness is to join a group of people that share the same interests as you do.
If you are among others that have similar interests, it makes it easier to find something to talk about and to network.
If you are looking for a job, joining a group of like minded professionals and offering them quality information will likely get your expertise noticed by a potential employer. Plus, if you are shy you can think about what you want to say before you contribute to the online group.6Plan Ahead
This is a great tip to help you start conquering shyness because most people panic about not being able to talk to people. If you are headed out to a social gathering and you are nervous about becoming tongue-tied, make a list of questions in advance that you can use to break the ice and start a conversation.
It does not have to be anything complicated; it can be something as simple as paying someone a compliment. This will start a conversation about the compliment you delivered such as “I like that color on you!” This may start up a conversation about what colors look good and which ones don’t. Anyway, it is a start and will most likely lead into another conversation.
7Learn to Deal with Rejection
Regardless of whether you are trying to conquer shyness or you are already outgoing, remember that everyone faces rejection and it is part of life. Also, if you face rejection it always means that you are making a sincere effort to step toward your goals. It is those that fear rejection that never push beyond their comfort zone to improve their life. When you learn to accept rejection this will provide you with the confidence you need to take a few calculated risks and push beyond your comfort zone to help get over your shyness forever.
8Offer Your Expertise Online
If you know you are knowledgeable about a particular topic there are other people who can benefit from what you have learned. Get in the habit of helping others online by offering your expertise on a particular topic through writing articles, posting in blogs, and networking with others in social media. You do not have to worry about sounding awkward because you can think about what you say before you say it. Also, when you start getting compliments from others online that you have helped this will give you more confidence with networking with others in social situations offline. This can be a great step toward conquering shyness.
9Conquering Shyness - It Really Can Be Done
