Conference Networking for Introverts!

By ksautters | January 25, 2012 |

It can be difficult to come to a conference alone, and sometimes it’s even less productive when you’re with a friend. The point of attending an event is to move around, meet new people and expand your network. Thanks to this excerpt from a Marketing Profs short article on January 24, 2012, we’ve got a few tips to share that will make the free time away from the general session a little less painful and a little more productive.

Avoid avoidance. Introverts instinctively react to a whirlwind of sessions and mixers by thinking of reasons not to attend at least a few. Overcome this impulse by planning a full schedule ahead of time—with a formalized itinerary, attendance will feel less optional, and excuses will sound less convincing.

Use the buddy system. It’s easier to face crowded spaces when you coordinate attendance with people you already know. For example, arrange to meet one person for a cocktail the night before the conference begins, one person for breakfast the next morning, and another person in the lobby of a major presentation prior to its start.

Work the room one person at a time. Don’t be overwhelmed by the crowd—stay in your comfort zone with a one-on-one strategy. Find someone who seems to be standing on her own, introduce yourself, and ask a few questions that spark quality conversation. Then do it again. And again.

The Po!nt: You might not be an extrovert, but with the right approach you can get just as much value from a conference.

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