TIN #149 - Skip the Awkward Events; Do Networking Your Way
The New Rules of Networking: Schedule. Space. Style.
Most people think of networking events as something you have to go to.
Something awkward, loud, or time-consuming that takes you out of your comfort zone.
But that version of networking isn’t mandatory.
The truth is:
You can build a stronger, more useful network on your schedule, in your space, and in your style.
That’s the message I found myself saying out loud in a video I recorded this week.
I didn’t start there.
I started by asking a big question:
“Who should you have in your network?”
That’s where we’ll start.
And then we’ll move on to how to network your way!
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
Quick share today…
My friend Dr. Eboni L. Truss created a handy guide to rediscover your purpose and find fulfillment (even after building the life you had planned).
Her guide will give you three intentional steps designed to help you pause long enough to begin crafting a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on paper.
(In fact, one of the steps is actually to create a 7-day plan.)
I thought you might like it.
Click the link below to grab the guide.
Get her 3 Step Guide to Rediscover Purpose + Find Fulfillment in Life here.
PS: I’m not sure how long Dr. Eboni is going to have this available. Grab it now before it goes away.
You don’t need everyone. Just the right ones.
There’s no perfect list of people to include in your network because your goals are personal.
But here's the simple rule I always come back to:
👉 Start with people you already know and already like.
They're easier to reach out to.
You already trust them.
And the conversation will feel natural.
And just as important:
❌ Don’t include people you’ve had bad experiences with.
If you worked with someone in the past who made your job harder or made you feel less than there's no reason to put them back in your life just to “network.”
Your network should be made up of people you respect and enjoy.
So who should be in your network?
That depends on what you want to do in the world.
If you’re job hunting, look for people who do the job you want, report to that job, or work alongside that role.
Especially at companies you're curious about.
If you’re building a business, think about others who serve the same kind of people you want to help even if their work is a little different than yours.
For example, I often connect with career coaches and resume writers.
We don’t do the same thing, but we serve the same community.
And you can get help from your existing network, too.
All you have to do is say:
“I’m looking to meet people who…”
Work at [Company Name]
Do [Type of Work]
Always share interesting ideas
Have a fresh perspective on [Topic]
Now your friends have something to go on, and they’ll start thinking of people to introduce you to.
I go into a lot more detail on who should be in your network in this week’s podcast.
Be sure to check out the previous episodes of the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
You’re not stuck with someone else’s networking rules
This is the part I really want you to take away:
You are in control.
You get to decide:
✅ When you connect with people
✅ Where you meet those people
✅ How you build relationships
I call it Schedule, Space, and Style:
Schedule: Network when it works for you. Monday afternoons. Sunday mornings. 15 minutes before lunch.
Space: You don’t need to go to coffee shops or attend loud events. You can connect online or by phone from wherever you’re comfortable.
Style: Whether you’re a quiet listener, a curious question-asker, or someone who thrives on collaboration. You get to show up as yourself.
Networking isn’t about becoming someone else.
It’s about becoming more intentional with the people you let into your world.
And when you take that control, something changes:
It stops feeling like networking.
It starts feeling like connection.
📣 Join Me Live on LinkedIn
I’ll be hosting a LinkedIn Live Q&A in the next couple of weeks to dive deeper into these ideas, and answer your questions in real time.
We’ll talk about how to find the right people, how to make connections without it feeling awkward, and how to build a network that actually works for you.
🗓️ It’ll be June 24th at 1PM ET, 10AM PT
👉Register here for Your Networking Questions Answered By The Introverted Networker
Until then, remember:
You don’t need to do networking the “normal” way.
You just need to do it your way.