From Wallflower to Networking Pro: How Taking Initiative Can Boost Your Career
- Candace Amos
- Dec 27, 2023
- 2 min read
Do you remember the days of standing awkwardly on the sidelines at school dances, hoping someone would ask you to dance? Maybe you were lucky and had a group of friends to hang out with, or maybe you were like me and felt like a total wallflower. Whew, I’m glad those days are behind me!
As an introverted professional, I used to feel the same way about networking. I’d attend events, conferences, and meetups, hoping to make valuable connections, but I’d often find myself lingering on the fringes, hesitant to approach strangers and strike up a conversation. I felt like I was waiting for someone to ask me to dance, instead of taking the initiative to grab the mic and start dancing myself (metaphorically speaking).
But then something changed. I realized that no one was going to come along and magically solve all my networking problems. If I wanted to make real connections and advance my career, I needed to take matters into my own hands. And that’s exactly what I did.
The Turning Point
One day, I decided to stop waiting and start taking action. I began reaching out to people in my industry whom I admired or wanted to learn from, and I started initiating conversations via direct messages on social media. At first, it felt awkward and forced, but over time, it became more natural. I discovered that people were actually happy to chat and share their insights, and some even became mentors or collaborators.
The Power of Breaking the Ice
Initiating a conversation and breaking the ice can be intimidating, but it is an effective way to create connections and expand your network. By taking the lead in reaching out to others, you exhibit self-assurance, eagerness, and an openness to gain knowledge. This can lead to people remembering you and responding positively to your inquiries for guidance or help.
That’s why I’m excited to share a list of cold outreach examples to jumpstart your professional networking journey. This template provides ten ready-to-use message prompts to help you initiate conversations with potential contacts via DM. Whether you’re an introverted professional like me or just looking to boost your networking game, these messages will help you break the ice and start building meaningful relationships.
To get your copy, simply click the link below and enter your email address. You’ll receive instant access to the template, which you can customize to fit your needs and start using right away.
Don’t let networking anxiety hold you back any longer. Take the initiative to break the ice and start building your dream network today. With my freebie, you’ll have everything you need to get started. So go ahead, put on your dancing shoes (again, metaphorically), and let’s hit the networking floor together!
Comentarios