Networking can be one of the most valuable tools for growing your business. We all know that meeting new people can open doors to potential partnerships and business. But if the idea of walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach drop, you’re not alone. Networking anxiety is real. And it's common! Even the most successful entrepreneurs feel it sometimes!
The good news? With the right mindset and strategies, overcoming networking anxiety as an entrepreneur is more than manageable and it will help you make meaningful connections that make you and your business thrive. Here’s how:
Reframe Networking as a Learning Opportunity
Instead of seeing networking as something you have to “succeed” or “fail” at, try viewing it as a chance to learn. Every person you meet has unique experiences, insights, and stories to share. Focusing on being curious and listening, rather than worrying about what you’ll say or how you’ll come across, will make this a far easier experience.
When you reframe networking as a way to learn, it takes a lot of pressure off and makes the experience much more enjoyable.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
A big source of anxiety at networking events comes from feeling like you need to “work the room” and talk to everyone. Good news: That's not the case at all!
Give yourself permission to take it slow. Set a simple goal, like introducing yourself to one or two people or staying at the event for 30 minutes. Starting with small, manageable goals makes networking feel a lot more approachable, and each conversation you have will add to your confidence. And who knows, maybe after your 30 minutes you even want to stay longer. If so, great. If not, also great! You already reached your goal and feel good about yourself for taking that first step.
Prepare Conversation Starters
We at Perspectivv love a good conversation starter! It makes it easy for people to connect with someone new, sets a good tone for the conversation, and puts a lot of pressure off your shoulders.
Starting a conversation with someone new can feel like the hardest part. Try prepping a few open-ended questions to break the ice, like “What brings you to this event?” or “What’s something you’re working on that excites you?” Having a few go-to questions on hand makes it easier to approach people and keeps conversations flowing naturally without the pressure of coming up with something on the spot.
Focus on Building Relationships, Not Selling
Another big source of networking anxiety is the feeling that you have to “sell” yourself. But here’s the thing: the best connections come from genuine relationships, not pitches. Please read this sentence again. It's important!
Instead of focusing on promoting yourself or your business, aim to connect on a personal level. Ask questions, share your own experiences, and look for common ground. When you let go of the need to “sell,” networking feels a lot more natural and way less intimidating.
At the same time, the person you talk to will appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and your business on a personal level, and if they're interested in your services/product they will ask you for more information and details which is your invite to tell them more about it and maybe even schedule another meeting or call to then have a deeper conversation about how you and/or your product can help them. But selling should never be your first go-to when meeting someone new at a networking event. First comes building new connections, then selling. So you can relax and feel no pressure to do anything else but getting to know people.
Embrace Breaks When You Need Them
Networking can be exhausting, and it’s totally fine to take a breather. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, find a quiet spot, step outside for some fresh air, or just grab a drink. Short breaks can be a lifesaver, giving you a chance to reflect, reset and recharge. Networking isn’t a sprint, so listen to your energy levels and give yourself space to take it slow.
Bring a Friend or Colleague
This one is up for debate. Some people love it, some hate it. I feel like bringing someone I know holds me back from getting to know new people because I tend to focus more on the person I came with.
HOWEVER,
going to an event with a friend or colleague can be a huge help for some people, especially if it's your first networking event and you don't know what to expect. Not only does it provide a familiar face, but you can also support each other by introducing each other to people. Having someone by your side can ease a lot of the initial nerves and can help you feel more comfortable.
It's up to you if you want to try it. You definitely won't lose anything and it's going to be a good time no matter what. So why not bring a familiar face and reflect and see how you feel about it afterwards?
Practice Self-Compassion
Remember that networking is a skill, and like any other skill, it takes time to get comfortable with it. It’s okay to feel nervous, and it’s okay if some conversations don’t go as planned. Be kind to yourself and remember that stepping outside your comfort zone is an achievement in itself! Just keep going! The more you practice, the easier it will get, and soon enough, you’ll feel way more at ease.
Visualize a Positive Outcome
A quick trick to ease networking anxiety is to visualize a positive experience before you go. Take a few minutes to imagine yourself feeling calm and confident, enjoying conversations, and leaving the event with new connections. Visualization can be a surprisingly powerful way to set a positive tone and feel more in control.
Remember, if you can think it you can create it! It's all already there and you can make it a reality. Focus on the positive and give yourself a chance to show up as the best version of yourself.
Start by saying hi to the host
You can see it as a nice and easy warm-up if you want. The host is there to make sure the event runs smoothly and answer questions if you have any, however, they all are lovely people who talk to a lot of entrepreneurs and are used to having conversations with new people. The hosts will be happy to get to know you and have a brief conversation (or even a longer one) with you.
You can even ask them to introduce you to some of the other attendees or ask them what their favourite conversation starter or networking hack is. And after your first conversation with them, you might already feel more prepared and confident for the next one.
Overcoming networking anxiety doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s absolutely possible. By setting small goals, focusing on genuine conversations, and taking breaks when you need them, networking can become a lot less intimidating and maybe even enjoyable.
Remember, every connection you make is a step forward, and each event is an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. So take a deep breath, go at your own pace, and trust that you’ve got this. You’re building something amazing, and you never know who you might meet along the way.
Keep connecting and happy networking!