For an introvert, networking can be exhausting because of the energy needed. From the hand shaking, to the small talk it all requires energy. A live networking event can often seem like a zoo with the cages left open. You can more easily manage your energy, and the open cage, networking with Twitter.
First, Twitter is manageable. If you don’t want to follow someone, the handshake, you can or you don’t have to. You get to decide. Just because someone follows you, if by looking at their tweets, profile and picture you decide it’s not a match, don’t extend your hand – the follow.
Second, you have time to listen, and think. At in-person events some people can get away with the darting eyes, and “uh, uh,” and nods as those non-verbals to show listening. If you follow someone on Twitter, being in a one-to-one conversation may increase to DMs (direct messages) and it helps if they know you were listening to a followers tweets before that happens.
Third, good manners are considered norm. How many events have you been at where you may have helped someone connect or put them onto a resource and weren’t acknowledged? On Twitter bring your manners with you.
Fourth, Twitter, is about value first. You might think, wish and even hope that about in-person network because it’s about relationships. Some people confuse networking with selling. Twitter is not all about selling and for the introvert who usually leads with value, Twitter is a perfect marketing tool.
Fifth, Twitter requires you to speak concisely. How many times have you had someone at a networking event, or even later when connecting one-to-one, go on and on and on – ad nauseum? You have just 140 characters to communicate your message.
Are you an introvert who somehow finds yourself in sales and marketing? Can you feel your energy begin to stay intact? What do you think? Does it sound less like a zoo than being at in-person events?