Networking for introverts
Hello!
I hope you are well and are looking forward to the week ahead. Today I’m going to try and address your (many) questions about networking. Here’s the tl;dr: stop worrying about networking! Seriously. Building a real and strong network takes time — years even. So don’t feel like you’re failing before you’ve even begun.
To build on my own thoughts, I also reached out to a few strategist friends to get their take, and their responses were varied to say the least!
So, if you’re still here, read on to find out about
Networking for introverts
Networking remotely
Not networking
Networking for introverts
I’ve said before that strategists are often (but not always) united by a common personality type. We're introverts. This can makes us super dreadful at networking, or even just making general chit-chat. Sometimes however, there are other things that make it hard for us to feel like a social butterfly or the life of the party.
SYT subscriber Ishwa wrote, “I've always felt uneasy because of cultural differences (add in that I'm Muslim and don't drink). From what I read it's all about the socializing and connections?”
To an extent, that’s true. But it’s worth remembering that being an introverted strategist is a great way to meet other introverted strategists! You’re unlikely to be the only person at an event or meet-up who’s feeling awkward, so hunt that other person down and say hello. If you focus on socialising and connecting with people one-by-one, you may find it easier and even help someone else not feel left out.
Lawrence Brown, Principal DesignOps at Net-a-Porter & Mr Porter, recommends connecting via another channel beforehand and arranging to say 'hi' in the room. “It’s like magic in comparison to a cold open. Especially when you suggest something like, 'Meet you by the tiny sausages on sticks!'”.
Also, if you’re networking with non-strategists, it’s helpful to have a quick and easy way to explain what you do. Saying you're a brand strategist is the world’s best conversation killer (which can be useful to know in other scenarios!), so have a little follow up to counteract any blank stares. I usually go with “I help business do the things they want to do”. Still not the best conversation starter, but better than nothing!
Networking remotely
SYT subscriber Carolyn asked, “I'm currently working as a teacher in SE Asia, and I'm wondering what is the best way to go about networking with other strategists who I don't know in person (and I also won't be able to take them out for coffee due to the distance)?”
In the good ol’ days of Twitter, networking remotely was easy peasy. But now 66% of tweets are generated by bots, it’s become harder to slip into the conversation and make new connections virtually. And don’t get me started on all the weird humble-bragging/humble-moaning that happens on LinkedIn. Instead, I advocate for using Skype or Hangouts to recreate a real-life meeting.
In times when you just can’t be there, why not say something like, “I’d love to meet up in person, but I’m 10,000 miles away, so fancy drinking a coffee together over a Skype?” You could even send them a Starbucks voucher as a ‘thank you’ towards their next coffee!?*
Not networking
Of course, you can always just opt out all together. Ben Phillips, Strategy Director at Anomaly, says, “My theory is kind of simple. Any event labeled "networking" is going to be terrible, and agonisingly awkward for networking”. From what I’ve observed of Ben – who is one of the most lovely, outgoing and sociable strategists I know – his approach focuses more on being positive, generous with his knowledge, interested in others and generally up for anything. I think he may be onto something there!
From a career-building perspective (as opposed to new-biz-ing), I'm a strong advocate for doing a stretch in an agency. The agency world has taken a beating in recent years as more clients build in-house creative teams and tempt away talent with bigger paychecks. But there’s so much to be said for being part of an agency – the work is more diverse, the emphasis is on ideas and imagination, and it is the ultimate breeding ground for a network of likeminded peers. Almost everyone I know professionally now (and to a certain extent, personally — reader, I married one), I met either directly or indirectly during my time at Moving Brands between 2009 and 2012. From mentors to collaborators, agency life exposes you to people in your field of all levels and disciplines, so don’t rule some time in one as an option.
Ultimately, the best route, though by no means the easiest or fastest, is that old trope of working hard and being nice to people. If you always seek to leave a trail of good work and happy colleagues behind you, you will always have a network to call upon when you need it.
To sum up, I’ll leave you with Caroline Olechowski’s thoughts on networking: “One thing I've realised is to not place too much pressure on the first interaction. I go to meet-ups that happen monthly, so you often see the same people and get to know them gradually. Building a network takes time — it's like gardening, you've got to sow the seeds and then tend them. You never know which relationships will lead to an opportunity. Getting comfortable with networking definitely takes practice”.
Until next time, best of luck!
Camilla
I read this big piece on networking, this one on what it's like when your writing goes viral, and this one about what an utter weirdo Elon Musk is.
I also did this personality quiz and enjoyed 'FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened' on Netflix.
*This newsletter is not sponsored by Starbucks, but I'm open to offers ;)
