Maybe there are apps for that. Seriously, colunchers.com sets up lunches with 4 people for a reason: so that introverted get a chance too.
Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
11–20 of 25 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#12Create, build, innovate, invent something spectacular that does not exists or that no one has really come close to perfecting.
To create, in part, requires an extreme level of introspection, going dark or time in the Lab, something that introverts are quite good at.
Let your works speak for themselves. This is what I have found to be the most powerful networking move an introvert can make.
This is also something that sales, marketing, branding and some investor types will never understand.
This is also something that the Google guys understood very well and they seem to be fairly well networked these days.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#13Create, build, innovate, invent something spectacular that does not exists or that no one has really come close to perfecting. To create, in part, requires an extreme level of introspection, going dark or time in the Lab, something that introverts are quite good at. Let your works speak for themselves. This is what I have found to be the most powerful networking move an introvert can make. This is also something that…
Well said.
Building something is easy enough; but to figure out if people want what is being built - that requires a lot of interaction which sometimes is beyond introverts. Of course, it's a different thing if one happens to build something which is then wanted by people.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#14Create, build, innovate, invent something spectacular that does not exists or that no one has really come close to perfecting. To create, in part, requires an extreme level of introspection, going dark or time in the Lab, something that introverts are quite good at. Let your works speak for themselves. This is what I have found to be the most powerful networking move an introvert can make. This is also something that…
Well said. Building something is easy enough; but to figure out if people want what is being built - that requires a lot of interaction which sometimes is beyond introverts. Of course, it's a different thing if one happens to build something which is then wanted by people.
I completely agree. The exceptions, however, would be if it has enough utility as water for example, similar to Search. All things considered, it certainly must be useful to the masses.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#15At risk of being pedantic I would clarify that being an introvert has nothing to do with your skills at being social. The reason I bring this up is because once you put the proper name on something (i.e. identify it) then it is easier to work on. Going out to events and striking up conversations probably have more to do with problems of finding the right kinds of events, overcoming shyness, anxiety, public speaking,…
Agree that being an introvert doesn't have to do with social "skills", but it does have everything to do with social "interest".
So yes, even though the problems you mentioned might cause one to incorrectly classify themselves as an introvert, it shouldn't take away from the actual problems introverts face when being pulled strongly in opposite directions by their disinterest in striking up conversations and by a real necessity to network in order to be successful as entrepreneurs.
Thanks for the podcast mention though - will check it out.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#16I think that an introverted network would actually be more of an asset than an extrovert's network (and FTR, I'm a total extrovert...which took years of work to get to). Hear me out: When you're an introvert, you tend to be much more cautious about the connections that you make with people and to cultivate them more. Sure, I have a bajillion people to reach out to and socialize with, but if shit hit the fan, it's a m…
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Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#17I think being an introvert helps tremendously when attempting to build a network as long as you are dedicated and passionate about doing so.
Dale Carnegie wrote a book titled "How to Win Friends and Influence People" (which I recommend, its old, but a great read!) where he described that the easiest way to "win friends" or influence people is to have a genuine interest in other people and actively listen and allow them to feel your genuine interest in them.
I find that when I have more introverted characteristics I am able to make more connections because I spend more time listening to other people and less time trying to make myself feel important which helps me to better get to know the person I am meeting and to appreciate and value their characteristics and skills.
Recently I began a summer college job working for an accounting firm with 100 other employees and I only knew about 6-7 people. Over the past few weeks I have dedicated a large amount of time to expanding my network and getting to know my fellow workers on a personal level. Now I find friendly faces all around and I consistently have people popping in to my office area asking if I need anything or just seeing how I am doing and even sometimes popping in to talk about some cool new business that they read about (sometimes even the CEO).
I think that at the end of the day whether you are an introvert or an extrovert all that it takes to start building a network is to find a genuine interest in other people. If you have that you will be pretty successful at what you want to do.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#18By email on relevant mailing lists and forums.
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#19Github is a network. Network through shared engineering interests, mutual admiration and meritocracy. Pull requests can be surprisingly social.
Are you looking for a geographically relevant network? Or will distributed and virtual suffice?
Re: Ask HN: How do “introverted” entrepreneurs build a network?
#20Github is a network. Network through shared engineering interests, mutual admiration and meritocracy. Pull requests can be surprisingly social. Are you looking for a geographically relevant network? Or will distributed and virtual suffice?
Thanks. I think it is more to do with the varied nature / expertise of the people in the network - especially if one is an entrepreneur. In terms of location, a distributed and virtual network should suffice too.