Do you dread small talk? Chatting about the weather can seem pointless and the question “So, what do you do?” makes many people nervous. But, sometimes it feels like you need it to grease the wheels of in-person conversations. Luckily, LinkedIn offers us a far better way to network professionally, without having to hover around a water cooler. And here’s something you may not know: it’s great for introverts too.
LinkedIn for introverts
Despite what you may have surmised, you don’t need to be the life of an online party to be successful on LinkedIn. While in-person meetings may require a little more charisma to keep the conversation going, you don’t need to be a social butterfly when you’re connecting with your LinkedIn network. The truth is: it’s better not to be the person who dominates the conversation online. Instead, being an engaged listener works better. And that’s why LinkedIn is perfect for introverts.
The introvert way
LinkedIn is the professional network for engaging conversations and generating leads, but here’s something that introverts do really well: they don’t get straight to the sell. That’s a key way of engaging with your network and connecting with new people through LinkedIn. An all-in sales pitch isn’t the way towards success on LinkedIn. By nature, introverts are thoughtful listeners, excellent observers, and considerate contributors to conversations. That makes introverts the perfect type of people to succeed using LinkedIn.
Deep thinking creates powerful content
Because introverts are naturally deep thinkers, you already possess the right superpower to create powerful, meaningful content. Rather than rushing through to get something posted for the day, you’ll naturally consider what you share or create. That means you’re inclined to create insightful content, rather than simply posting for the sake of posting. It’s something I take quite seriously, and try to remind our clients about every day. Taking the time to consider your audience and concentrate on creating something meaningful, is far more effective and important than anything else.
Active listening is your superpower
Instead of dominating the conversation, you’re an active listener. You’re open to understanding other people’s perspectives, and genuinely interested in learning and observing. You couldn’t ask for a more powerful tool in your LinkedIn arsenal, because that’s where the magic of making meaningful connections lies. An introvert’s ability to demonstrate genuine interest and truly listen? Your LinkedIn network will love you.
Quality over quantity
Rather than saying too much, you’re always thoughtful with your words. An introvert takes the time to put thought into what they say. And, when it comes to LinkedIn, while a big network may seem great, it’s meaningful connections that count far more. Introverts tend to focus on quality over quantity, building relationships that are based on shared interests and mutual respect. These connections are far more valuable and likely to lead to lasting collaborations.
Networking like an introvert
If I could give successful in-person networkers a suggestion, it would be to think a little more like an introvert when they’re on LinkedIn. Avoiding the small talk and instead working to establish robust relationships, and grow meaningful connections is a pathway to success. To network like an introvert, I recommend:
- Take time to curate and create your content: Creating and sharing valuable, insightful content is fundamental for ensuring LinkedIn success. The more time you spend considering the insights you want to share, the more well-rounded and engaging they will be. That helps you to establish yourself as a thought leader, and in turn, grow your network the right way.
- Put love into your one-on-one messaging: A one-on-one conversation is so much easier to handle than talking to the masses. As an introvert, you’re more likely to craft genuine connection requests, pour thought into your responses, and have meaningful conversations. You’ll reference a shared interest or refer to an article that made you think of that person. That’s pure conversational wonder.
- Starting small: There’s much to be said about a singular focus, which is something introverts are easily epic at. By focusing on one conversation at a time, and one connection at a time, you’re instantly building better relationships through LinkedIn.
- Practice makes perfect: Sometimes, it can feel tough to get the conversation started. I understand that, so take some time to do a little more research on the person you’re looking to connect with, or chat to. Don’t be afraid to be persistent in your approach, or even schedule it in your diary to reach out to just one person a day. If you can build a well-established relationship with just one person a day, every day, for a year…you’ll have 365 excellent connections. That’s far more useful than 1000 you don’t connect with. LinkedIn is less about numbers for their own sake, and more about building genuine relationships.
Isn’t it great to know that we can kick pointless small talk aside on LinkedIn? That’s just one of the things I love about LinkedIn!
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