Tea with the Queen

Three ways to build your network as an introvert

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How do you build your network as an introvert? I completely resonate with this question because I myself am a raging introvert.

Yes, I love getting out running business events, meeting new people and being around other humans, but I also need a lot of downtime afterwards.

As an introvert, I need a lot of space on my own so that I can recharge.

When you run your own business, networking and building relationships is one of the key activities that you need to give attention to. But building your network as an introvert can feel really hard.

So how do you reach out to other business people and build a powerful network as an introvert?

I have a few key strategies that have helped me build valuable relationships as an introvert, and my hope is that they help you too.

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a common hurdle that many of us face when trying to build our network as an introvert. Feeling like a fraud or doubting one’s abilities can hinder outreach efforts and connection-building.

By acknowledging and addressing imposter syndrome, you can take proactive steps to push past self-imposed limitations and know that you have just as much to “bring to the table” as the person you’re networking with.

You may never kick your imposter syndrome to the curb, but I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. If you feel like you don’t measure up, you’re more likely to try and prove yourself, push yourself out of your comfort zone and that will ultimately help you build a stronger business.

As long as you’re aware of the negative self-talk and you’re not letting your introverted tendencies take over and keep you from reaching out, you’ll be able to achieve great things.

Effective Use Of Social Media

Stop the “doom scrolling” on the couch and start using social media as a platform for connection, seeking introductions and building your network as an introvert. The beauty of social media is that for an introvert it’s a great way to reach out to people.

You can be comfy on the couch reaching out to people and connecting in the DM’s without feeling overwhelmed by too many people at once.

Just make sure to keep on task as much as you can and remember that social media is a tool, not a place to get lost of hours and develop comparisonitis.

Send That Email

One of the most powerful strategies for building your network as an introvert is actually quite simple. I encourage you to make a list of 20 contacts that you already have. These contacts should be people that you feel could make strong introductions to others on your behalf.

Draft up an email that is personalised, brief and ask for their assistance. There should always be a value exchange, so make sure you have something to offer your contact too. You’ll find the people in your existing network are so eager to help.

This is a great strategy for introverted folks as you can craft a message in your own time, put your plan into place and reach out in a way that feels powerful to you.

Volunteering

Another method for building your network as an introvert is through volunteering. This one might feel a bit more obscure when it comes to business relationships, but I’ve found it to be very effective. If there is a cause that you feel very passionate about, chances are, the people that yo will meet there will have similar values.

With similar values comes a stronger connection, and I’ve found that meeting people outside of the normal business settings can actually lead to powerful business relationships. You never know who you’ll meet, or what they do for work.

Authenticity is a pillar of sustainable success in business. Staying true to your values, beliefs, and identity can set you apart in a crowded marketplace.

It’s not just about networking; it’s about building connections that are rooted in genuine human interaction and mutual respect. Being authentic in your business dealings cultivates trust and credibility, essential elements for long-term growth.

Regardless of whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, or somewhere in between the key lies in approaching connections with sincerity, purpose, and a well-defined plan.

By embracing your authenticity, working with your imposter syndrome, and actively reaching out to others, you pave the way for meaningful connections that not only elevate your business but also enrich your personal growth journey.

LINKS

Website

For a copy of Emma’s book, ‘Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive’ – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/

Read The Full Transcript

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[00:00:00] Emma: Are you an introvert or are you an extrovert? And does it make a difference when building a community or talking to people about your business? That's what we want to talk about today. I feel so excited about this. A little known fact about Emma McQueen is that she is an absolute introvert. And so for me, it's really important as to how I use my energy Is that you too? You an introvert or an extrovert? I had a client, we'll call her Amanda. Amanda knows who she is. Now, Amanda was painfully shy and not confident in her own ability. At all. And when I started working with her, she had not made a sales call.
[00:00:55] In fact, she didn't really reach out to people at all. She hid behind a keyboard. I'm sure none of you can relate. So we set her some tasks to do, and I'll tell you what happened with Amanda really, really soon. This episode will probably apply to everyone. Because regardless of whether you're an introvert, whether you're an extrovert, you might still struggle with imposter syndrome.
[00:01:18] You might struggle with reaching out to people. your confidence, might ebb and flow, take a bit of a hit. And sometimes we just don't know how to reach out to people within or outside of our community. So I want to tackle the question today. How do I reach out to more people in my network when I'm insert shy, Introvert, not confident, have imposter syndrome.
[00:01:40] There are so many reasons that we don't reach out in our business, but it hurts our business. And all of the things that I'm talking about are such a real challenge for people when it comes to networking and expanding your circle, your community or your networking groups. But with a few simple tips, I reckon you can start reaching out to more [00:02:00] people in your network in an authentic way.
[00:02:02] And I want to give you a couple of ideas to get started. Social media gets a bad rap, but we can use social media to connect with people who share our interests, right? Share our interest and our goals. There are such cool people on socials and we have nothing to lose. Another tip is asking for introductions from people who you already know and who already love you.
[00:02:24] and who already trust you. I found that, if you're in a community, people are are so keen to help you succeed. And then the third tip, it's a bit random, but volunteering for events or causes that align to your values. I have created the best relationships when it has nothing to do with me or my business, but when I'm working side by side with someone you get to meet them where they're at.
[00:02:47] And their values normally align with your own if you're both there. there So, what happened to Amanda? Well, in the first instance, I asked Amanda to reach out to 20 people in her network that she could ask for referrals from. Sounds simple enough, right? It took us a few goes. It took us a few goes to get there.
[00:03:08] And eventually she was able to do this. We helped her get her words, right? We scripted it a little. So she felt a bit more confident. And by the time she contacted her 20th person, she was well on her way. Sometimes it's just about following a process and I love a good process. What about you? Do you have a process for reaching out to people?
[00:03:32] Have you sat down and made an intentional list of people that you want to reach out to? Have you done anything with it? I often hear people talking about, I need more business, I need more leads, I need more sales. And my next question is, do you have a plan? You know, building relationships takes time and effort, but the rewards are certainly worth it.
[00:03:54] One of my clients today messaged me and rolled her eyes. She's like, Emma, [00:04:00] you were right. I just had to follow a process. I don't always like being right, but you know, I'll take it when I can. And, uh, I feel like if you don't have a process and plan, if you're not intentional with your time, you could just faff around the edges.
[00:04:15] There are so many people who I see who, think that they're doing revenue creating or revenue generating things in their business. But actually they're updating their website. They're looking at their collateral. They're talking to other people and I'm like, actually is anything that you're doing generating revenue?
[00:04:34] Um, one quick story before I go, cause I love a good story. I was talking to a prospective client. So this is not someone that I have worked with in the past. And we'd had a number of conversations about working together. And the final conversation we had, which was a couple of weeks ago, was she called me to talk about working together.
[00:04:54] And she also told me that she was doing all the right things. She was showing up on socials. She had offers out, et cetera, et cetera. Now, I knew that not to be true. I was watching her socials and it was very slapdash. She was talking about things that weren't in her lane. She was doing and saying things that didn't align to her as a person.
[00:05:16] wasn't sending out newsletters. She wasn't doing the things that would generate revenue. And so we had to have a conversation, which was quite. Awkward and difficult, but honest. That is what people will always get from me. An honest conversation about the fact that actually she felt like she was doing all of these things, but it was a delusion because just because you're doing the activity doesn't mean you're doing the right activity at the right time.
[00:05:42] And that was hard for her to hear. Have you ever had that experience where someone's giving you feedback and it's like stung a bit? I knew that it stung her. And I tried really hard to say it with love because we don't want to upset anyone and we don't want anyone to, to feel disheartened, especially when business is tough.[00:06:00]
[00:06:00] Having said that, we want to be truthful with people about where they think they're at and what we see as the differences. And perhaps it's because I'm blessed in my role that I can actually see when people are doing the things that they need to do to grow their business. Anyway, for now, if you're an introvert, if you're an extrovert, if you feel some sense of imposter syndrome, or you've got a little lapse in confidence, just get your plan in place, find your 20 people, start talking to people and it will all take care of itself. Well, it will all take care of itself if you know how to convert those relationships into something else.
[00:06:36] Or if you are good at asking for referrals, it is not natural born. I don't have the natural born tendency to ask for sales. So I had to work at that as well. I hope you've enjoyed this one. Uh, let me know how you go. And if this is you, let me know when you pick up the phone, how it goes. Bye for now.