How do I build a strong network if I’m introverted?
- Tim Castle
- 45 minutes ago
- 2 min read
I get asked this question a lot, how do I build a strong network if I am introverted? Here’s how you build a strong network if you are introverted.
Remember you have value to offer
Make valuable introductions and connections - leverage your network by bringing people together who would truly get on
Give first - by sending relevant and helpful information, tips, book recommendations, podcasts, trip recommendations - anything that they said they were interested in. Expand it by following up with the things you discussed when you connected.
You don’t have to be loud to make a different, really super networkers are constantly feeding their network with value, sharing information, keeping in touch, having catch up coffees, they are their for the hard times and the good
Be there when times are hard - show up when someone dies, send cards, job opportunities, refer CVs, its not hard to build an amazing network, just stop focusing on yourself and start giving to others. It all comes back to you.
Push yourself to go to new events and meet new people - ask about their lives, what they love, and what brings them to life.
What are they working on outside of work? What side hustles and adventures are they having?
Keep in touch - have 2-3 coffees a week with people in your network to touch base on market movements, whats going on in their life and how you can help.
Dig into your weak ties - go out of your normal circle - make friends and relationships with those on the outside of your network this gives you new ideas, new understanding and strengthens your entire network
Focus on what you can give not what you will get in return
Be curious - lead with curiosity, this makes it much less awkward say things like “i’ve always wanted to know how that works…”, or “whats it like to do….” Questions like this open people up.
You bond over authenticity and vulnerability for example, someone asks why aren’t you drinking tonight and you say “I want to stay clear headed I have a lot of balls up in the air and I don’t want to drop any, plus I am an all or nothing type of person and right now I am all in on xxxxx….”
Be fully you. Lead with curiosity. Be present. Give your full attention.
Remember effective networking is about finding the areas of commonality and connection quickly, going deeper and authentically sharing who we are whilst discovering who the other person is.
It's not
Talking about yourself and your success non-stop - it might feel good, but it's off putting and not building connection
Asking standard 'boring' questions that are shallow and lack thought, you might as well ask whats the weather like, it takes about as much effort
Being distracted and paying half attention.
Focusing only on what you can 'get' from someone.
