5 Tips to Help Nervous Networkers Break Out of Their Shell

September 24, 2018

Networking is an important part of a successful business. When doing business in a small community, like the Lake of the Ozarks, attending local networking events can help you grow your connections. People like to do business with people and networking is an easy way to meet other professionals in the area and give a personal side to your business. If you're looking for a way to help grow your business at the Lake of the Ozarks, consider attending our Lake West Chamber networking socials.

Networking has a stigma of being scary or hard. While we know it can seem intimidating if you aren't used to it but networking doesn't have to be scary. If you are nervous about attending an upcoming networking event, take a look below for some easy ways to help ease your networking nerves.

Tip #1 - Make your way around the room.

Working your way around the entire room can help broaden your networking scope. People tend to stay in the same place and mingle with the same people. Don't be that person. Make your way around the event so you can maximize the number of people you make contact with. You never know, the next person in the room may be your ideal client!

Tip #2 - Ask open ended questions.

Open ended questions can help the conversation flow more naturally. If you're worried about talking too much, ask the person you are networking with questions and give them the opportunity to share about themselves. You can learn a lot about a person on a personal and professional level when you show interest in their life - which is easy to do when you ask the right questions.

Tip #3 - Break away from your comfort zone.

Many networkers tend to socialize with the same group of people at each networking event. You can get comfortable with this type of networking. Strengthening these existing bonds is important, but the point of a networking event is to meet new people, as well. Break out of your comfort zone and greet a new networker as they enter the room & welcome them into your existing networking group. This can help a fellow nervous networker feel welcome and more at ease.

Tip #4 - Appear approachable.

If you are nervous about walking into a room of networkers, it may show through your body language. Try to appear approachable as you make your way around the room. Don't forget to smile - a simple smile can help someone feel more at ease. Think about your body language at the event to ensure you seem easily approachable to your fellow networkers.

Tip #5 - Don't think you're alone.

You are not the only person who gets nervous at the thought of networking - we promise! Simply knowing that other people in the room feel the same anxiety as you do can help calm your nerves. Try to go out of your way to welcome a new networker as they enter the room. This can actually help boost your confidence in networking as you introduce a fellow networker to others.

Upcoming Networking Opportunities with the Lake West Chamber:

The Lake West Chamber offers its business members a Networking Social on the second Tuesday of each month at various locations. All get-togethers are from 5-7pm unless otherwise stated. We welcome any business in the area interested in joining the chamber to join us at these events and visit with our members. Each host will provide appetizers and attendees will be able to purchase a beverage of their choice. We look forward to seeing you at the remaining Networking Socials of 2018!

October 9th - Bear Bottom Resort
November 13th - Chances "R"
December 11th - TBD

Now that you know some tricks of the trade when it comes to networking, you're ready to break out of your shell and meet other professionals in the area. We look forward to seeing you at our next networking social at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber