Emily was a talented software developer who had experienced great success behind her computer screen, but the thought of attending networking events filled her with immense fear.
The idea of talking to strangers, making small talk, and presenting herself in a room full of professionals seemed overwhelming and, at the same time, gut-wrenching.
However, Emily knew that networking was essential for her career growth. Determined to overcome her fear, she embarked on a journey to build her confidence and master the art of networking with people, not just in her field.
Here’s how Emily conquered her fear of talking to people at events and how you can do it too.
- Start Small
Emily decided to ease herself into the world of networking by starting small. Instead of jumping straight into large conferences, she attended smaller meetups and events where the atmosphere was more relaxed and intimate.
Tip: Begin with smaller events where the setting is less intimidating. This will help you build confidence gradually and get comfortable with the idea of networking.
- Prepare Ahead of Time
Before Emily attended any event, she did her homework. She took the time to read about the event, its speakers, and the types of attendees that would be there. She also prepared some conversation starters to help her dive into conversations.
Tip: Be prepared with what to expect and have a few questions or topics for discussion at hand. You can practice your introduction so you can seamlessly dive into a conversation at any time.
- Set Achievable Goals
Instead of pressuring herself to speak to everyone in the room, Emily set a more realistic goal of having meaningful conversations with at least three people. This made it more manageable and less daunting.
Tip: Set achievable goals for each event. This could be as simple as having a conversation with three new individuals or collecting a single business card. Having a goal in mind provides clear focus on what you aim to achieve.
- Find a Buddy
Emily reached out to a friend in her neighborhood who was also attending the event. Having someone familiar beside her made her feel more comfortable, and it also served as a safety net in case she became overwhelmed by the crowd.
Tip: If possible, go to the event with a friend or colleague. It’s much easier to navigate around the room and initiate conversations when you’re not flying solo.
- Focus on Listening
One of Emily’s biggest fears was that she wouldn’t know what to say. She soon realized that the art of listening was just as important as speaking. Her focus on listening allowed her to ask follow-up questions, which kept the conversation flowing naturally.
Tip: You don’t need to have all the answers. Show you care about what others say by asking quality questions. Everyone loves to be heard, and people appreciate good listeners.
- Practice Positive Self-Talk
Emily struggled with negative thoughts before and during events. To counter this, she practiced positive self-talk before every event. She reminded herself of her strengths, what she had accomplished, and that everyone else was probably feeling nervous too.
Tip: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations of worth and competence. Remind yourself of your value and capabilities. Confidence comes from within.
- Learn from Each Experience
After each event, Emily took time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. She looked at each networking opportunity as a learning curve and celebrated her progress, however small.
Tip: Reflect on your experience and identify areas that need improvement. Celebrate your successes and learn from challenges. Growth happens one step at a time.
Conclusion
It wasn’t easy for Emily to overcome her fear of talking to people at events, but it was very rewarding. By beginning with small steps, preparing in advance, creating objectives, finding a buddy, focusing on listening, using positive self-talk, and learning from the experience, she transformed into a confident networker.
To anyone too scared to network, this is a process. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be too hard on yourself. If you are persistent and apply the right techniques, you, too, can push past the fear and excel in networking environments. Your next meaningful connection is just one conversation away.
Written By Veronica Emmanuel.