New Networking Trick For Introverts

(By Gil Gerretsen) Networking is tough for introverted entrepreneurs and rainmakers. It's almost as scary and frustrating as public speaking.

Why? It's because networking means you have to start and engage in brief conversations with lots of different people. For an introvert, that is awkward and exhausting.

Breaking the ice does not come naturally to introverts.

However, a few years ago, I discovered a little trick that makes the process easier, and perhaps even enjoyable. And it leads easily from one connection to the next.

The key is the phone in your pocket.

We live in an online and social media world where people are always sharing their activities. That reality creates the perfect opportunity to start new conversations and glide easily between them. Here's how.

The hardest part is when you first arrive at the networking event. Starting that initial conversation. My strategy is to look for someone standing alone for a moment, approach them, introduce myself and then ask them a simple and open-ended question. Here are a few examples you could use. "What brought you to this event today?" "Do you know many people here?" "Tell me what you do." If you need more ideas for great questions, just ask your favorite search engine. Have a few questions in your arsenal so you can talk to each other.

What comes next is the trick. Don't talk too long. 2-3 minutes is fine. If warranted, ask them for their business card or contact information and ask if it is okay to reach out after the event for a deeper chat.

Then, ask if you could have a photo with them. However, don't take a selfie. Look around for someone nearby and ask them if they would mind taking a photo of you and your new friend. Almost everyone will be happy to oblige.

Once the photo has been taken, extend your hand of friendship to the photographer, say thank you, introduce yourself and your new friend, and then turn to the person who took the photo and repeat the entire process.

By using the photo taking technique, you can move seamlessly from one person to the next. Sometimes a small group will form with you. Sometimes, folks will split off for their own chats.

Using this methodology will help you meet new people every few minutes and collect contact information where it makes sense. It's a great way for an introvert to have fun and build productive follow up chats after the event.

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