For many professionals, networking and asking for help from peers can be intimidating. The fear and anxiety that comes with networking can often hinder your ability to make meaningful connections.
Below, 14 Young Entrepreneurs Council Members share valuable tips and strategies to overcome your fears and anxieties about networking. With these tips, you can confidently, easily, and successfully build strong industry relationships in the business world.
1. Treat networking as a learning opportunity
My approach to eliminating fear and anxiety when making industry connections is to engage in networking as a genuine opportunity to learn and share. Instead of just focusing on what you can get, prioritize building real relationships. Listen actively, ask insightful questions, and be generous with your expertise. This approach has always fostered meaningful connections for me and made networking a two-way path of mutual benefit. Remember that everyone is a beginner at some point. Fostering a supportive community is essential to long-term success. – Renato Agrella, Aselka Consulting
2. Believe in your worth
One of the best tips I can give is to have a relational mindset rather than a transactional mindset. Many people approach networking thinking, “What can I get out of this?” Instead, change your mindset to “What can I offer?” or “How can I help this person?” Believing that you have value to give increases your self-confidence. That value could be your unique perspective, experience, or someone else in your network who could be a useful connection for the person you meet. This reduces fear and anxiety when building connections because you can connect from a position of creating value rather than consuming it. – Chidambaram Bhat, Integral Technology Solutions Co., Ltd.
3. Attend formal networking events
Attending a formal networking event can take away some of your anxiety because you can be confident that everyone is there for the same reason: to connect, learn, share, and grow. Seeking out these types of events, rather than “cold calling” thought leaders in your industry, is a great way to feel comfortable attending as you can practice and hone your networking skills with people who will definitely follow them. Once you’re comfortable with these types of conversations and have laid the foundation, you can expand your networking efforts beyond these organized events. – Samuel Saxton, ConsumerRating.org
4. Be persistent and consistent
Please feel free to send us a message. The worst that can happen is that the other person doesn’t respond, and that’s perfectly fine. There are hundreds of leaders out there who are always happy to offer tips and free guidance. It’s all about being persistent and consistent. You can’t just send a message and stop just because you don’t get a response. You should keep in mind that if they are a well-known leader in your industry, their direct messages and emails are likely filled with inquiries. His one tip for getting a specific person’s attention is to engage in all kinds of content that you can relate to. Simply liking or commenting on their posts will definitely increase your chances of getting noticed. Turn on notifications for content so you can engage right away. – Fritz Korkor, Simply Thalia
5. Use fear as a motivator
Accept that fear is a natural part of networking. That way you can get used to it easily. Understand that everyone has some fear. It’s okay to be afraid. So run with fear. Sometimes fear helps us become more alert. Even if you’re afraid, start with small steps and gradually increase your participation. Your confidence will increase and you will be able to make meaningful connections. Be honest, ask questions, and actively listen. Remember that fear can be a powerful motivator. Embrace it, take small steps, and turn that fear into a fuel for meaningful connections and professional growth. – meekey fan, Ndevuru Co., Ltd.
6. Be authentic
Resist the urge to promote yourself or your business. Instead, take a genuine interest in your peers and learn from their stories of struggle and success. Focus on your common interests and ideals. This takes the pressure off of making a good impression and builds trust for future collaborations. If you just be your passionate, curious self, the interaction will be more relaxed and conversational. They are likely to sense that you are simply there for self-interest, so try to be honest. Honesty and mutual respect will take you far. Ask for their input, recognize their expertise, and be open to their insights and suggestions. Be aware of boundaries without being formal. Have fun and be open and you’ll have a good experience. – Bryce Welker, Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting Research Institute
7. Be upfront about making connections.
If you can clearly communicate to people who you are, what you need help with, and how you want to add value to their lives, you’re more likely to make connections in the industry. LinkedIn inboxes are usually filled with messages from people just trying to sell you something. If you want people to see your message as something different, let them know from the beginning that you’re not trying to sell them a product or service. I just want to interconnect with like-minded people. – john turner, Seed Prod LLC
8. Ask potential connections for help
Take advantage of the Ben Franklin effect. Ask questions and seek advice from someone in your industry. Trust me, most people love helping others, so you’ll probably get a warm response. The Ben Franklin effect is a cognitive bias that causes people to like other people when they like them. The name comes from Benjamin, who describes in his autobiography of Franklin how he asked his rival if he could borrow a book from his library. His rival agreed, and later, when Franklin returned the book, he commented that he liked it very much, which sparked an argument that later became a great friendship. This approach can be used in networking, especially when you’re nervous or don’t know what to say. As Franklin says, “People who have been kind to you once will be kinder to you again.” – Shu Saito, all filters
9. Start small and practice.
Networking is a skill, not an innate talent. Practice. Start by attending low-cost events or joining online forums. Set a specific goal: “Today I will introduce myself to three of my girlfriends.” Learn industry knowledge and latest happenings. This provides a conversation starter. Finally, follow up. A simple email or message that says, “It’s been a wonderful meeting” can solidify your connection. Consistency breeds confidence, and each interaction brings you one step closer to mastery. – Idan Waller, blue lawn
10. Remember you have nothing to lose
To deal with fear and anxiety when asking for help from others or making connections in your respective industry, think about what you have to lose, and what you have at all. In the worst case scenario, your message may go unanswered or your response may be rejected. In either case, you have nothing to lose. So, don’t be afraid when reaching out to people in your respective industry. You never know what will happen if you don’t try anyway. Therefore, when establishing a connection, give your best and be confident. – Stephanie Wells, terrifying form
11. Connect with people in similar situations
One of the best ways to ease your fears when trying to make connections in the industry is to reach out to people who are in the same position as you. It’s scary to contact someone with millions of customers when in the beginning he’s working on securing 100 or 1,000 people. But connecting with people who are going through similar experiences is a great way to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, share ideas, and feel comfortable talking to others in a professional environment. – Daman Jeet Singh, funnel kit
12. Use storytelling instead of formal pitching
Erasing the fear and anxiety of making industry connections can be a game-changer for many budding entrepreneurs and marketers. Let me advise you on a unique approach. To overcome networking fears, consider storytelling instead of formal sales pitches. This includes finding common ground, sharing relatable experiences, demonstrating expertise, using engaging visuals (if possible), and thoughtful follow-up. Storytelling on social platforms is a natural networking technique that I personally find very effective. So use this wisely to create a unique and memorable story that opens the door to a lasting professional relationship. – Vikas Agrawal, info brand
13. Attend networking events with friends
When you attend a networking event, bring a friend or colleague with you. Then you won’t feel alone. When you know that there are people supporting you, you naturally become more confident. If you don’t know anyone at the event, having someone familiar by your side can help ease your nerves and anxiety. The two of you are always together, as others may be attracted to your small circle and want to strike up a conversation. However, try to give your friends and yourself the space to interact with others as individuals, identify and explore common interests, and occasionally come together to share thoughts and brainstorm. please. Having friends can also help hold you accountable if you lose focus while networking. – brian david crane, spread great ideas
14. Investigate potential connections
Please research. Before you seek help from industry professionals or expand your network, know who you’re reaching out to. Get to know their areas of expertise, interests, vision, etc. Not only will this information boost your confidence, but it will also help you come up with a great pitch. Since you’ve done your own research, the chances of your question being rejected or challenged are minimized, potentially minimizing your fear and anxiety. – Jared Acheson, WP form
