Networking For Energetically Sensitive Introverts
How to meet new people when you don’t like to meet new people
If you’re anything like us, you love to be invited but hate to actually attend. You enjoy being thought of - but don’t stare too hard. It is a fine balance of discerning what is worth your energy and what is a waste, Especially if you are trying to build a brand and get noticed!
We wrote this blog to help you form partnerships, sponsorships, and just overall a supportive community that believes in what you're doing.
Here at SSY, we have built a strong community of in-person connections & relationships. We want to share with you, why having a few close bonds with a few influential people is much more important than rubbing shoulders with hundreds of -meh- humans…and just how we do it.
First of all, don’t judge a book by its cover.
This is the age-old saying passed down from our mothers that really works. You never know a person's story- millionaires wear flip-flops, and douchebags can wear Prada. Treat everyone as equal and get to know the person in front of you as they show up, not by the label you have given them unsolicitedly. Because people lie and the cool ones are often quite shy.
Second, choose wisely.
We used to attend anything and EVERYTHING. The philosophy was ‘you never know who you might meet’. But the reality is we wasted a lot of time in rooms that weren’t built for us. Sure we made it work and beautiful stories and friendships were built, but you need to be more specific with where you spend your energy. It’s like a currency and just like money, you can run out if it and maybe not have it when you need it most.
Third, start close to home.
Look at the friends you currently have. Admire and analyze their social circle, their success, and start putting yourself in the same room they are in.
For instance: Soul School wants to move into a space of holding bigger containers, hosting festivals and building a school. If our friend Johhny is throwing cool festivals for the cause of women’s rights all while doing it with groovy music and a beautiful environment, we may start spending more time with him and his crowd, because our intentions are aligned!
Lastly, you only need one.
When Co-founder Sierra first started networking in Toronto she was given one key piece of advice. “As long as you make one genuine connection per event you’ve done your job.” This helped with the overwhelming idea of thinking everybody needed to know her name by the end of the evening. Instead, once the one solid connection was made it actually gave her permission to throw in the towel for the night and just nurture that one relationship.
It’s kind of like dating, if you are flirting with everyone at the party it’s going to be hard to remember everyone’s story and make them feel special, let alone take anyone home. But if you put your energy into the one person you resonate with, you will probably have a solid connection for life instead of a bunch of one-night flings.
Tips for picking events that are in alignment with your networking goals.
Be discerning:
Pick 1 event per week or month and make it count. Make sure it hits at least 2 of your core values. One is to vague and 3 or more may be hard to hit if you are consistently attending events.
An example may be food and music, human rights and sustainability, freedom of expression, and art. Whatever it is just make sure it resonates deeply with you and/or your brand.
Make one solid connection per event. You don’t need to overwhelm yourself with the task of having to meet everyone in the room. Be present with whomever you encounter and get to know them, if it feels like you have similar values and goals then you can check your networking off the list. Having one good friend you can count on is better than 20 who don’t even know your name.
Be your most authentic self. Dress to express and impress. Get into the mood by listening to your favourite song or podcast right before you head out. Make sure you feel the most like YOU and that your energy is radiating. Catch up on a piece of news that is relevant to the event you are attending. Learn about the hosts, the charity, and the company so you have something you feel confident in sharing and have a conversation starter. Most importantly, just be yourself!! The more uniquely self-expressed you can be the easier it is to attract the right people.
Attend events that are in alignment with what you need presently. If you need a coach to keep you accountable, attending a gala for sick kids is probably not the right event but attending a women’s circle for coaches is a great place. If you need an investor, attending a meetup for entrepreneurs just starting out is not the place, the gala is ! Get it?
