Power Networking for Introverts

Expand your LinkedIn network

When it comes to LinkedIn, many introverts are unsure of how to get involved. We are often shy about asking people to join our network. We wonder if we’re being too forward. What if they say no?

I talked about this with Mike O’Neill, who offers some great LinkedIn workshops, and he suggests that we take advantage of the Classmates, Colleagues, and Contacts features to build our network. Once you have a profile and you’ve logged in, go to Home. At the bottom of the Home page, under the Network heading, you’ll find links for Colleagues, Contacts, and Classmates. Click those links, and LinkedIn will find other LinkedIn users who have worked for the same companies as you, attended the same schools, or who are in your address book. Since you already have some connection with these people, it’s much easier to ask them to join your LinkedIn network.

LinkedIn for Introverts

LinkedIn’s social networking site is a great complement face-to-face networking. Check out a great article, “LinkedIn: Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell You, But Was Too Shy/Modest/Embarrassed to Say…,” by Kim Dority (Dority & Associates). Kim talks about using LinkedIn to develop your personal brand, an essential tool for job seekers. At the end of the article, look for a great list of additional articles on the topic. Geared toward library and information professionals – an industry that attracts its share of introverts – this resource offers great tips for all introverts who are struggling to make connections.

Online networking

No, you don’t actually have to meet people face-to-face in order to network. LinkedIn, the social networking software for grownups, makes it possible to network and never leave your office. I’ve been reluctant to recommend this approach to introverts, because most of us will look for any way to avoid getting out and actually meeting people. But after taking Mike O’Neil’s excellent LinkedIn workshop, I have changed my opinion. While online networking is never, ever a replacement for meeting someone in person, I think it’s a great complement to other networking activities. In upcoming posts, look for interviews with LinkedIn users and tips for using this powerful tool to build your network.