The most common reason people do not build new relationships and network is because they are shy.
Being shy and self-conscious go hand-in-hand. You shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to meet new people, expand your network, and reach out to your community just because you are shy. There are things you can do to make it easier.
Think of building relationships and networking as helping others, as that is truly what it is all about.
Keep your networking simple. Identify one person each day who you could help.
- Give someone a compliment. It could be a person you know, someone you see on the street or in a store, or a peer at a networking event.
- Ask people what is the most exciting or interesting thing they have done recently. This is a wonderful conversation starter, whether you are at a dinner party or mixer.
- Reach out to people and see if there is anything they are working on that you could help them with. This can be done virtually (send an email or social media message) or in real life.
Try doing one or all three of these things each day. It will help you become more clear and confident about how much of a difference you can make in the lives of others.
This is the basis for building solid and genuine relationships.
How do you feel about networking? Are you shy? Or do you enjoy meeting new people at events? What networking tips do you have for others? Please share your thoughts in the comments.