Do you ever feel uncomfortable at networking events?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 23, 2009 at 10:01am

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christy on July 24, 2009 at 7:07am

You are not alone....I would prefer to write as well.

Michele said:

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patrice Blakemore on July 27, 2009 at 10:20am

You are too cute! I love your response. I never really thought about that. Although I am a people-person, I would freeze-up when it came to networking. It was really out of my comfort zone. Then a colleague gave me a great tip, "pretend you are the host." And I said, "Hey I know how to introduce myself by name and ask the other people questions." And that one little tip changed the way I thought about networking. But I was curious, if I was the only person who felt that way.

Michele said:

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patrice Blakemore on July 27, 2009 at 10:21am

Do you do most of your networking through social networks then?

Christy said:

You are not alone....I would prefer to write as well.

Michele said:

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 27, 2009 at 11:37am

Yes, I do. And I find it much easier to meet people at events if I've already had discussions with them online. Then, it's more like putting a face to the name, rather than social anxiety.

Patrice Blakemore said:

Do you do most of your networking through social networks then?

Christy said:

You are not alone....I would prefer to write as well.

Michele said:

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Patrice Blakemore on July 27, 2009 at 2:18pm

Wow, I never thought about that. I have a webinar coming up on "How to Network with Confidence" but I never thought of networking online before networking in person. What a novel approach. Is it okay if I mention it in my webinar?

Michele said:

Yes, I do. And I find it much easier to meet people at events if I've already had discussions with them online. Then, it's more like putting a face to the name, rather than social anxiety.

Patrice Blakemore said:

Do you do most of your networking through social networks then?

Christy said:

You are not alone....I would prefer to write as well.

Michele said:

OF COURSE!! There really is a reason I write, from the other side of a computer. I'm uncomfortable meeting people.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 29, 2009 at 3:10pm

Sure! Just something that makes things easier for me. Instead of introductions, small talk... It's Hi XYZ, remember me? Sparksfley from Twitter? Seems easier to break the ice for me.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Summer on July 29, 2009 at 5:59pm

Oh heavens yes! I'm strictly a behind the computer kind of gal!

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This