7 Networking Tips to Overcome Anxiety for Professionals

Feeling nervous about networking events? You're not alone. With nearly 15 million Americans grappling with social anxiety, it's no wonder that mingling with strangers can feel overwhelming. But with 80% of professionals agreeing that networking is crucial for success, it's worth overcoming those fears. Here are seven expert tips to help you confidently connect and make the most out of every event.

Nearly 15 million people in the U.S. deal with social anxiety every year and experience significant tension, nervousness, and even embarrassment when speaking with others. Yet, 80% of professionals find networking crucial for their success. Networking is a great way to generate new leads, job opportunities, career advice, a competitive edge in your field, access to new resources, and so much more. While attending events and tradeshows can be overwhelming for some, they don’t have to be.

Here are 7 tips to help make networking a breeze, even if you are feeling a little anxious.

Take some time to research the event beforehand. Learn about the speakers and what the topics will be discussed. Especially take some time to learn about the attendees you know you want to connect with. Find their social media profiles, look at their posts, read up on the values their company cares about. You can even take it a step further by reaching out to them before the event on LinkedIn to let them know you want to connect. Not only will this help you plan topics to talk about and boost your confidence, it will also show someone that you have done your homework.

If conferences intimidate you, it can be tempting to stay within a known group. While sticking with the group could be more comfortable at networking events, consider walking around by yourself. Approaching new connections alone will help you appear more confident and make you more memorable. In groups, often people can blend together or fade in the background, whereas going solo will help you stand out. Sticking in your comfort zone can limit your opportunities at networking events.

Initiating conversations with new people can be daunting sometimes. Ease some of that stress for yourself by crafting a few opening lines. A strong opening line will project confidence and expertise, and leave a lasting impression. Consider using a question as your opening line to encourage an engaged conversation. Here are some examples:

• What did you think about the session earlier?

• Have you been to this conference before?

• What current challenges do you see in your industry?

An elevator pitch is a short description that describes everything a person would need to know about you and/or your company. It should be short enough to last the length of an elevator ride, or 30-60 seconds. You need a strong elevator pitch prepared to make the best use of the short time you have with new connections. Consider tweaking your pitch to the context of the conference you’re attending. If your conference is about a specific industry, include how it applies to you in your pitch. Take time to practice so everything comes out smoothly.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to research who you want to connect with beforehand. However, it is equally important to remain open to unexpected networking opportunities. You never know what insights and connections someone might offer. So, try to stay off your phone during breaks and engage with those around you. Make it a challenge and try to meet as many new connections as possible. You never know what someone might bring to the table!

Avoid spending the whole conference talking with the same people. Even if the conversation is going amazing, aim to limit it to 15 minutes. By keeping conversations short, it ensures that you and your connection are using your time effectively. It’s important to remain polite but know how to end a conversation. Smile, look them in the eyes, tell them that you enjoyed talking to them, and suggest reconnecting in the future. End on a strong note with a firm handshake and kick off your next interaction.

As the conference comes to an end you might feel like your hard work is done, but don’t let it go to waste. Take some time to connect on LinkedIn with everyone you. Following up with these new connections is essential to foster your professional relationships. Try to do this close to the end of the event while your interactions are still fresh on your mind, and theirs. Don’t forget to send a personalized message with the connection request! Consider making a post on LinkedIn with a picture of you at the conference, along with a caption about how much you enjoyed being there.

Networking at trade shows and events can be intimidating, but when you prepare in advance, you can make the most of your time there. By practicing these tips, you can ensure that you will come across as confident, relaxed, and professional when networking.

Ready to put these networking tips into practice? By applying these strategies, you'll not only overcome your anxieties but also make valuable connections that can propel your career forward. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals at our Customer Connect Conference this November 13th, 2024—your gateway to expanding your professional circle.