Business networking is one of the key processes in building up a connection. You must work to get the info that you also exist. However, the thought of joining various local business networking groups is akin to getting the tooth pulled. You know that you have to do it, but the feeling of awkwardness and making a small talk is a nightmare.
Undeniably, the problem here is that you really need to do the networking process to grow a business, meet new people, expand your contacts and be prepared to chase the business opportunities. If social interactions don’t go for you, there might be an issue of having a personality of being socially awkward.
The Profile Of A Socially Awkward
Socially awkward individuals possess a set of distinctive behaviours.
Feeling Nervous In Social Settings
A person who is socially awkward typically feels anxiety. They are not comfortable in social situations like networking events. This trait will lead them to act weird ways around other people such as strange demeanour.
Not Understanding Social Norms
Most of the socially awkward persons do not know the right topic for them to start a new conversation. They also do not know what to do and what is not in a social situation. In short, they do not know what is best to talk about. As a result, their lack of understanding leads to shyness and weird behaviour.
Often Having Different Impact Than Intended
Socially awkward individuals often throw jokes about something whilst other people took it as an uncalled one. They also provide compliments to others where people hear it as an offensive comment. In other words, they are doing their best intentions to deliver a positive impact only to result a contrasting effect.
The Lack Of Conversation Flow
Everybody has no exception when it comes to conversations that don’t flow and a moment of silence. But, for socially awkward people, this is their rule of thumb. The ability to continue a conversation is not their trait.
Frequently Being Avoided Or Ridiculed By Others
If you happen to see a person in your circle whom being avoided by your friends, this person might have a socially awkward behaviour. There are also instances where people are making fun of them as they are always categorised as the weird one species.
The Lack Of Meaningful Connections With Others
Socially awkward people, in general, have only few friends. If there are any, probably, it could be just a very small circle of friends. They tend to spend time alone instead of making connections to others.
If you see yourself acting this way, it will likely give negative issue to your business. However, you can do much better than this and be a lot happier if you deal with it effectively.
Overcoming The Trait
For those who are struggling to beat the socially awkwardness, or perhaps, wanted to get better in a networking event, here are some of the ways that can help you out.
Do Your Homework And Don’t Arrive Too Early
Know the people who are going to that event and determine if these people can be any of your prospective clients for your business network. Keep in mind that networking must have goals. It would also be ideal to arrive in an event not too early. The feeling of awkwardness with few people around you makes you out of focus.
Don’t Judge The Book By Its Cover And Smile
Keep an open mind when it comes to meeting people; not all prospects wear nicely. Remember to smile always. This will make you feel positive. As much as possible, give the most sincere smile to every people you meet.
Don’t Just Hang Out With People You Know
Most often than not, people usually hang out only to people they already know for the entire event. Roam around, introduce yourself and meet new people. The best way to capture their attention is read today’s newspaper and brought this up to them. Surely, you will eliminate that awkwardness in you.
Drinking Does Not Make You Networkable
There are also people tend to drink shots of tequila just to boost self-confidence. Hitting the sauce during the networking event is not a good idea. It will just trigger strange actions on you once you have been hit by it.
Take Plenty Of Luxury Business Cards
People will remember you with your luxury business cards even if you don’t speak that smart. Many people do not bring business cards during the event as it is not necessary for them. What they do not know is that it adds profile build-ups.
Offer A Compliment And Be Sincere About It
Socially awkward people may have the tendency to speak unintended compliments. To ensure that you have given the right compliment to a person, focus on the person and learn to ask open-ended questions. Put your feet into other’s shoes. Hearing compliments provide positive impact to a person.
Be Enthusiastic About Your Business When Asked
Set a specific goal when going to a networking event. When asked about your business or anything that you do, be passionate about it. Don’t be that person who is looking to other things or people. That is a big mistake. If you don’t do it, don’t expect anyone to do that the same to you.
Dealing With Setbacks And Rejections
Among the hindrances, why socially awkward people avoid improving their networking and social skills, are setbacks and rejections. They feel embarrassed in the process of turning them down. This gives them the setback of feeling unworthiness and discouragement. Dealing with setbacks and rejections is a challenging task for social awkward people. But, this can be achieved.
Handling the first batch of rejection is the most difficult but bouncing back from it is quicker. Try to adopt healthy attitudes towards rejections and get the first bit of your success. Face the rejection and learn an experience from it. Always expect rejections ahead of time and be prepared for it.
Always remember, there is nothing wrong with you. Relax. You don’t have to change who you are. But, you have the ability to improve especially if you have to do the right business networking.
Sources:
6 Signs That You’re Socially Awkward and How to Fix This, Peopleskillsdecoded.com
21 Ways to Overcome Networking Awkwardness, Inc.com
Handling Social Rejection, Mistakes, and Setbacks, Succeedsocially.com
For those who are struggling to beat the socially awkwardness, or perhaps, wanted to get better in a networking event, here are some of the ways that can help you out.
Do Your Homework And Don’t Arrive Too Early
Know the people who are going to that event and determine if these people can be any of your prospective clients for your business network. Keep in mind that networking must have goals. It would also be ideal to arrive in an event not too early. The feeling of awkwardness with few people around you makes you out of focus.
Don’t Judge The Book By Its Cover And Smile
Keep an open mind when it comes to meeting people; not all prospects wear nicely. Remember to smile always. This will make you feel positive. As much as possible, give the most sincere smile to every people you meet.
Don’t Just Hang Out With People You Know
Most often than not, people usually hang out only to people they already know for the entire event. Roam around, introduce yourself and meet new people. The best way to capture their attention is read today’s newspaper and brought this up to them. Surely, you will eliminate that awkwardness in you.
Drinking Does Not Make You Networkable
There are also people tend to drink shots of tequila just to boost self-confidence. Hitting the sauce during the networking event is not a good idea. It will just trigger strange actions on you once you have been hit by it.
Take Plenty Of Luxury Business Cards
People will remember you with your luxury business cards even if you don’t speak that smart. Many people do not bring business cards during the event as it is not necessary for them. What they do not know is that it adds profile build-ups.
Offer A Compliment And Be Sincere About It
Socially awkward people may have the tendency to speak unintended compliments. To ensure that you have given the right compliment to a person, focus on the person and learn to ask open-ended questions. Put your feet into other’s shoes. Hearing compliments provide positive impact to a person.
Be Enthusiastic About Your Business When Asked
Set a specific goal when going to a networking event. When asked about your business or anything that you do, be passionate about it. Don’t be that person who is looking to other things or people. That is a big mistake. If you don’t do it, don’t expect anyone to do that the same to you.
Dealing With Setbacks And Rejections
Among the hindrances, why socially awkward people avoid improving their networking and social skills, are setbacks and rejections. They feel embarrassed in the process of turning them down. This gives them the setback of feeling unworthiness and discouragement. Dealing with setbacks and rejections is a challenging task for social awkward people. But, this can be achieved.
Handling the first batch of rejection is the most difficult but bouncing back from it is quicker. Try to adopt healthy attitudes towards rejections and get the first bit of your success. Face the rejection and learn an experience from it. Always expect rejections ahead of time and be prepared for it.
Always remember, there is nothing wrong with you. Relax. You don’t have to change who you are. But, you have the ability to improve especially if you have to do the right business networking.
Sources:
6 Signs That You’re Socially Awkward and How to Fix This, Peopleskillsdecoded.com
21 Ways to Overcome Networking Awkwardness, Inc.com
Handling Social Rejection, Mistakes, and Setbacks, Succeedsocially.com