Networking for Introverts: Building Relationships Without Draining Your Energy
I went for a pedicure yesterday with someone who is a long time colleague and friend. We drank fancy Starbucks drinks while we chatted about recent travel, AI use in our practices, and the types of clients we’re working with.
This is what maintaining a relationship with a referral source looks like and we both remarked how much fun it was as we walked to our vehicles.
I have long felt that networking does not have to include a round of golf, a big slab of red meat on your plate with 3 glasses of pinot noir, or a stuffy room full of people that feels like some weird version of speed dating where everyone exchanges at least 15 business cards before they can leave.
I’m an introvert. We know this. And here’s the thing a lot of introverted business owners don't realize:
If you're forcing yourself into networking formats that drain you, you'll either stop doing it (and watch your pipeline dry up) or you'll keep doing it and quietly start to resent your business. Not good, either way.
I've watched smart, capable people convince themselves they're "bad at networking" when really they've just been trying to sell in a setting / format that was never going to work for who they are as a person.
I think it's clear that relationship-building is non-negotiable for most of us. But **how** you do it is entirely up to you. And when you find your way of doing things, I truly believe that it will stop feeling like work.
So, if you’re a business owner whose work requires networking (pretty sure that’s all of us…), I sincerely hope you’ve figured out how to do it in a way that honours your energy and unique personality too.
Here are a few fun networking ideas I’ve tried that have not made me feel like I need 4hrs of carcass time afterwards lol:
Pedis and summer drinks - costs about $140 (we went to a ‘walk-in’ nail salon)
Breakfast - costs about $70 - obv depends on the restaurant
Private yoga class - costs about $150 depending on the studio but email me if you need a rec
Manicures and appies - costs about $180
Blowouts and brunch - costs about $200
Private chef dinner at my home - cost varies but typically $80-$120 / person + alcohol
Now, this is not a newsletter on the deductibility of expenses a la subparagraph 18(1)(h) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Use your discretion. But from my perspective, I’m incurring expenses to earn business income so I choose to roll the dice.
Happy networking :)