Practice without aiming for perfection
It’s a good idea to be able to describe yourself, and your business, in a clear and succinct manner when you’re meeting new people. So take the time to craft your elevator pitch and practice it at least a few times before heading to an event.
Having a prepared pitch and some planned questions can take the stress out of conversations. Especially as introverts tend to be empathetic and good listeners. But don’t worry if you stumble over any words or make mistakes.
Being perfectly polished can come across as artificial and disingenuous. The odd slipup actually builds trust in you, as long as you own it. And it puts the other person at ease, especially if you can both laugh about it.
Make sure to follow up and book your next event
Building a strong social network and good habits is all about maintaining momentum. Make sure you follow up on any conversations where you’ve offered to stay in touch or share information, file business cards, connect on appropriate social networks, and don’t panic if an initial meeting hasn’t resulted in a new contract the next day.
Try to focus on the positive experiences you’ve had, and use that as motivation to book your next event straight away. It doesn’t have to take place immediately, but putting it into your schedule will help you commit to consistent networking over time.
Ultimately, the best way to network as a self-employed business owner is whatever allows you to build great relationships consistently over time. If you’re an introvert, that may mean managing your time and attending a smaller number of events, focusing on meeting just a few people at each one. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be successful in helping you to grow your business.
Being more relaxed and comfortable at any events you attend will naturally make you more pleasant to chat with, and more likely to come away with potential new clients, suppliers, or collaborators.
You can find more advice in our dedicated section on communities and networking for the self-employed, whether that’s interacting in person or online, and even starting your own events.
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