Nervous About Networking? 3 Tips to Build Your Confidence

Do networking events make you nervous? You're not alone. And here's the good news: you're almost definitely overthinking it.

If you're heading into a room full of strangers trying to remember your perfect opening line, or worrying about how to explain what you do without sounding like a walking advert, I want to reframe this for you. Because the people who do well at networking events aren't the ones with the slickest pitch. They're the ones having conversations.

Here are three shifts that will change how you show up.

1. Stop scripting what you'll say. Start planning what you'll ask.

Most of us walk into a networking event rehearsing our own lines.

What am I going to say when they ask what I do? How do I make it sound impressive?

Flip it. The people who network well aren't thinking about their next line, they're thinking about their next question.

Have two or three questions ready that you can drop into a conversation: Because I like learning about how people grow their customer base, I ask questions like:

Who are your target customers?

How do you go about finding new business?

Questions show genuine interest, and honestly, they take the pressure off you to perform. You just need to be curious and actually listen to the answers.

2. You're not trying to close a deal. You're trying to book a coffee.

This is the one that trips people up the most. You are not at a networking event to land a client on the spot. You're there to connect with people, and if it's a good fit, book in a follow-up meeting. That's it.

Don't try to marry them on the first date.

Take the pressure off yourself completely. If the conversation is flowing and there's a genuine fit, all you need to say is something like “It would be great to connect on this further, would you have time next week?” Then get your phone out and lock it in.

If they're not ready for a meeting, connect on LinkedIn. That's a perfectly good outcome too.

3. Don't pitch at people. Have a conversation.

A networking event is not the place for your 3 min pitch. Nobody wants to be pitched at, and honestly, it's exhausting to deliver anyway.

When someone asks what you do, have one or two simple sentences ready, ideally about the problem you solve rather than the mechanics of what you do. For example, I'd say “I help early-stage founders learn how to sell to business, with courses and coaching.”

But don't overthink the wording. This isn't a script you need to nail. Say it in plain language, then hand the conversation back to them. A conversation is two-way. If you're talking at someone for two straight minutes, it's not a conversation anymore.

One more thing: follow up.

We've all been to an event, made a bunch of great connections, and then... nothing happened. Follow up the next day. If you connected on LinkedIn, send a personal message referencing what you talked about. If you booked a meeting, drop a quick note confirming it.

When you keep it this simple, networking actually becomes enjoyable. Even if you're more introverted, once you've got a plan, it gets easier every single time.

So next event, leave the script at home. Bring your questions instead.

Want to build your confidence selling?

Join me for my free webinar, Top 5 Mistakes Founders Make with B2B Sales Fri 21st August.