Why I quit networking
I am an introvert. You may argue with me on that observation if you know me, as I am able to step into extroverted behavior quickly and engage with others. However, being in a group of people is very draining for me. I’m sensitive to energy, noise and crowds (not to a phobic level, however) and I prefer solitude, quiet and comfort. One on one conversations are more stimulating to me (with the right person, of course) and a preferred way to engage because I love swimming in the depths of intellect, emotion and desire versus casual, banal conversational topics.
So you can imagine as a solopreneur since 2006 how creating new relationships via networking events or groups was a struggle for me. I’ve never been a fan of the typical networking environment or structure, as the networking events I’d attended had a distinct theme where every attendee was there to get business, not create relationships. You may think, duh, of course. Why else would you attend?
Well, for me, networking shifted into more of a social activity than a business development activity over the last few years. And when COVID shut all face-to-face interactions down for two years, well, I realized the real value I was getting from the meager networking I was doing—connection.
Working from home may have become a new thing for many because of COVID, but for me, working from home was the norm. I’ve often found that being home alone, as productive and satisfying as it was, was not balanced. As introverted and solitude-focused as I am, I need social interaction. Networking became a way for me to meet fellow peer business owners, professionals, and others who were out to do work they loved to do.
Finding people who have similar interests, goals and struggles is a healthy way to know you’re not alone in your own issues related to running a business. With the huge increase of solopreneurs over the last decade, we all have to find ways to keep up our social connections not just on a personal level, but a professional level.
When I secured my current fractional clients I was able to relax the pressure to market, prospect and sell my services. What a relief! So giving up networking to grow my business was an easy decision. As I mention in the below video, I use networking groups to get to know people in my town, make friends and see who and where I can provide help—not sell. In fact, I’d prefer to not get business that way.
I’ve learned a lot about myself through these networking groups and it’s important to understand why you want to network, who and where you want to network and what you’re really getting out of it. So instead of spending an hour commuting to an event, another hour mingling and exchanging business cards with people who are more than likely not your target audience, assess the value of your time. Assess what you’re getting out of the networking event and if it is worth the time, keep doing it. Networking should be an activity you enjoy, are replenished from, and learn and grow from.
For you:
If you were networking a lot before the pandemic in the old-fashioned way, how has your connectedness and prospecting changed for you since the lockdown? What do you miss about networking? How have you tried to perpetuate networking virtually? What groups have you left, what groups have you joined and why? Take time to assess the value you’re getting from the business connectedness and relationships you’ve perpetuated, shifted to or developed since March of 2020. Put a strategy together on how you want to best leverage your time moving forward as we begin to gather in-person again. ❤️❤️❤️
