Talking to strangers comes pretty naturally to me. I thank my Mother, Father and probably every ancestor that came before them. I truly believe that some people are natural born schmoozers. They are not just fearless when it comes to reaching out to strangers, but also seem to be able to go from zero to best friend at the speed of sound. I'll admit that some days, when surrounded by strangers on airplanes, in airport lounges, at Starbucks or anywhere else on planet Earth; I love talking to strangers. On other days, however, I'd rather sink into a comfy chair, wrap my hands around my cup of coffee and bury myself into my iPhone, pad, computer, book -- you get the idea. But, for the most part -- networking comes pretty easy to me. I realize, however, that for the majority of people, the idea of talking to strangers in busines or social situations can cause real anxiety.
I came across an article by Elaine Knowles on a trendly site called Brazen Careerist which targets young career-seekers and those who are just beginning a profession career. Knowles article is targeted to young women which outlines some simple strategies for developing some networking savvy. The tips work, of course for men, as well as teens and older folks, too.
In a nutshell, the article's author outlines these 5 networking tips to help those on the shy-side find their inner extrovert (talk about an oxymoron)...
The Introvert’s Guide to
Schmoozing
1) Never forget: You’re the
best!
a)
Skills and Talents – 3As – Assess, Affirm and
Articulate
b)
Top of mind awareness
c)
Believe
2) Open your eyes and
observe
a)
Observe and mimic confident networkers
b)
Never stalk or annoy
c)
Posture Matters
d)
Smiles are like a welcome mat
3) Be comfortable in your
own skin
a)
Invest in a networking “uniform”
b)
Create a look that represents your desired image
c)
Be aware of the “dress ‘code’”
4) 4. Look people in the
eye
5) Communicate with clarity
and warmth
a)
See yourself as others see you
i)
Mirror, mirror on the wall
ii)
Audio training
iii)
Video training
b)
Practice, practice, practice
i)
Handshake
ii)
Smile
iii)
Posture
iv)
Juggling networking “tools of the trade”
So, shy readers -- what tips can you offer to help other get over their networking anxiety. Share your ideas below...
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