Networking
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Order a small initial batch of business cards (e.g., 50) to test the design in hand.
Holding the card reveals issues that are not visible on a screen.
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Focus on building connections with the small percentage of people you can comfortably talk to rather than trying to talk to everyone.
Introverts aren't built for talking to everyone, but focusing on those few can add up to many friends over time.
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Adopt the mindset that everyone else is also awkward at networking.
Realizing others are just as awkward can reduce dread.
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Expand your social life and pursue your goals to attract people with similar interests.
This approach can make you more attractive to others who share your interests.
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Use cheap Bic pens instead of gel pens to write on newer glossy business cards.
Gel pens tend to smear on glossy surfaces, whereas cheap pens do not.
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Record new contacts' details and meeting context in your phone right away.
This solidifies the memory and provides a starting point for future interactions.
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Avoid ordering large quantities of business cards if your company name or details might change.
If the company changes management or name, the cards may become useless.
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Pre-fill the name line on RSVP cards to help guests specify exactly who is attending.
It allows guests to indicate if only some members of an invited group are coming.
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Use a different phone number on the business card placed inside a mobile phone than the number on the phone itself.
To prevent the finder from calling themselves repeatedly.
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Check for discounts on additional cards shortly after your initial purchase.
Printers sometimes offer deals like 40% off extra cards right after buying.
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Carry business cards when job hunting or networking to signal seriousness.
It conveys that you are serious about the opportunity.
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Place a business card in the pockets of your coat to quickly identify it among similar coats at events.
Allows for quick identification of your coat.
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Take photos of every business card you receive immediately.
You will lose the physical cards.
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Carry personal business cards with basic contact info to avoid miscommunication when exchanging numbers or emails.
It leaves a big impression and is more personal than just swapping contact info digitally.
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Print specialized business cards tailored to specific conferences or events.
Context-specific cards help recipients remember you when they look back at their collection from that event.
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At social networking events, focus on showing who you are as a person rather than selling your technical skillset.
It goes a long way in the hiring process.
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If you prefer solitude but want more social adventures, seek friends or partners who encourage you to engage socially.
Being pushed into situations can lead to new experiences even if you mostly want to be alone.
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Join small niche groups, such as those for D&D or chess, to increase interaction opportunities.
Smaller groups are more likely to require interaction with you, and word will spread.
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Seek to be an asset or of value to others, making sincere attempts even if you lack specific skillsets.
It helped one person gain access to connections and rooms they wouldn't have imagined.
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Attend EDM music festivals to help break out of shyness.
One person reported this seriously helped them get out of their shell and improve overall social skills.
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Use hobbies to make friends in adulthood.
Many people only make friends through school, university, work, or kids, so hobbies are suggested as an alternative path.
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Greet strangers who are not on their phones with a simple 'Hi' to initiate deeper conversations.
They tend to be more receptive.
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State your purpose immediately when contacting an old friend for advice, avoiding small talk that forces them to guess.
Making someone guess why you are reaching out can feel disingenuous.
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Position yourself as the first or last person an organizer interacts with to add to memorability.
People remember the first and last interactions more than those in the middle, who must work harder to stand out.
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Be polite and helpful to everyone, including those in seemingly minor roles, as kindness can lead to unexpected professional benefits.
One person found that helping someone 'out of the blue' turned out to be a key decision-maker; another was informed the person they greeted was the owner.
- One person reported doing a major favor only to have the recipient say something nasty about them immediately after, leading them to stop helping others.
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View professional networking primarily as a business relationship where both parties seek skills, opportunities, or connections to solve each other's problems.
You are mutually looking for people who can solve each other's problems.
- Friendship is only a secondary possibility.
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Recognize that relying on a small circle of deep connections can backfire when relationships end, as each person has a greater impact on your well-being.
With fewer people meeting your needs, the loss of any single relationship has a disproportionately large effect.
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Establish yourself as a regular who knows people at the bar to make meeting others easier over time.
Knowing many people there makes finding a partner infinitely easier.
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Join clubs to gradually become comfortable in foreign social situations by observing, adapting, and analyzing.
One person found that joining clubs helped them gradually grow more comfortable as they forced themselves into new situations to observe, adapt, and analyze.
- Based on one person's gradual process.
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Spend time doing things you love in social environments.
Similarities breed attraction.
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Attend social events centered on playful activities like board games.
It allows people to act like kids in a fun way, reducing adult pressure.
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Join special interest meetups, such as those for tattoo enthusiasts or body modifiers, to find communities where your appearance is accepted and common ground exists.
People in these groups are likely more accepting and easier to connect with because you already share something in common.
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Join local communities around specific hobbies to form relationships with friendly people.
One approach that helped: joining groups led to forming social circles and relationships with neighbors.
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Focus on being authentic yet professional over trying to be cool.
Authenticity and professionalism are more important than being perceived as cool.
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Create a LinkedIn profile and contact people online by sharing your story and asking specific questions about their experience, rather than immediately asking to meet up.
Networking online can be more successful than asking busy professionals to meet up.
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Prepare a handful of unique, non-standard questions in advance to increase the likelihood of positive, memorable interactions.
Avoiding common questions like 'What do you do?' engages a different part of the brain and avoids mundane topics.
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If you are shy, choose activity-focused social meetups like hiking or bowling over professional networking events.
Professional meetups often leave no time for anything but business, whereas activity groups exist primarily for people to 'do the thing' and have fun.
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Join university societies, gyms, or mixed-sex sports clubs to build confidence in lower-pressure social settings.
These environments allow you to practice socializing before attempting clubs.
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Join supervised skill-building activities like hobby groups to practice interacting with others.
It helps build confidence in social interactions.
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Discuss hobbies and passions, as these often lead to the most interesting conversations.
People are passionate about their hobbies, which makes for engaging conversation.
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