12 Ways for Introverts to Connect at Conferences

I remember the first big conference I attended. St. Paul, Minnesota, September 17th - 19th, 2011.

I got into my little car and drove 1,950 miles in my faithful little car.  It was my first dive in to the world of the creative conference and one of the women I most admire in the creative world, Jo Packham, author, publisher, and creator extraordinaire, was going to be there.

I had used every bit of the money made from my freelance writing projects that summer to buy the ticket to The Creative Conference.  In order to dive into my new love of photography (and take better pictures for my blog) I bought a DSLR camera that was on sale at Target.

So with the hope for a new career leap (I was filling in as a travel RN for local hospitals), I went to the Creative Connection with my new blog, my camera, and a lot of hope and excitement for the future.

I was smitten with the idea of gathering with 700 other creative women and spending three days listening to key note speakers, attending artistic break-out sessions and learning the secrets of how these women I admired so much created a living and a life in the arts.

There was just one BIG problem: I'm an introvert and at that time I was feeling very  insecure about my art. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do; I just knew I wanted to create.

The recipe for what happened that weekend:  Totally excited and overwhelmed + tons of people + feeling really insecure = really shy and nervous (with lots of stuttering).

I had a blast and met wonderful people. In many ways, The Creative Connection was the first real starting point of my journey into seriously investigating the world of creative artisan entrepreneurs (that's what Jo Packham calls us. I call us artpreneurs

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to a conference about faith and the arts. I had a wonderful time, met lots of people, talked to the speakers and have started following up with the people I've met.

What made the difference between the me in 2011 and the me in 2014?

I changed the way I approach conferences.

Basically, I'm still the same person:

I still get nervous around big groups of people.

I have tons of insecurity about my art.

I stutter when I get nervous and don't know what to say.

You too?

Well, don't let these struggles keep you from going to the conference. Conferences are an amazing way to meet people who are a lot like you, enjoy accelerated learning, and make friends and business connections that will last a life time.

Here's how to make the most of it.

12 Things to Increase Your Experience at Conferences: A Guide for Introverts

1. Get to the conference almost on time BUT border on fashionably late.

This is why I want you to be late: you don't want to get there so late that you make an entrance being late (us introverts HATE that). BUT, if you're just-on-time-almost-late, you'll have the advantage of checking people out AND avoiding the sometimes awkward, "I'm sitting by myself" feeling. When you go in, look at the back of heads and identify someone you'd like to talk to.

Conferences attract all kinds of people. But if you hang by yourself on opening night (or day), you'll end up that way for the whole conference. Be the connector. you don't have to connect with everyone, just pick one person the first night. At the lunch the next day, find someone you think you'd like who is sitting alone for lunch (which is most people at these conferences so there'll be lots of opportunities).

2. Have a few questions ready.

It feels like the common question at conferences (and dinners, and social groups, and on and on) is "what do you do?" What other questions would you like to know?

Have you read any good books?

What are your favorite blogs to follow?

Do you participate in any local art groups (if that is an appropriate and relevant question for the event).

Remember, most questions get turned around to you so have your answer read for your most recent books, movies watched, favorite online art class, etc.

3. Practice what you will say to the question everyone asks.

"So, what do you do?"

This is the most common question but I often find  myself unprepared to answer it. I remember at the Creative Conference blabbing something that didn't make a whole lot of sense.  How did I know? The glazed look in the other person's eyes as I tried to explain what I was trying  to do.

A little practice in front of the mirror or in the car would have helped a lot.

People are going to ask you questions; it's much better if you have some idea of what you want to say. It will be more comfortable (a little).

4. Say what you want to say and leave the rest alone.

It's not like we're on a congressional panel here. There's no reason to share that you haven't sold many books or have yet to sell a painting or work at a day job, UNLESS you want to.

Say what you want.

I'm an artists who works with people with Alzheimer's to help them connect and regain memories.

I create content and products to encourage and guide artpreneurs.

I create baby clothes.

I create encaustic paintings and teach workshops.

I write mystery novels.

I'm a musician who produces records and leads the arts department at a church.

I'm a photographer specializing in pet portraits.

I create illustrations for graphic novels and book covers.

A simple explanation can open up the conversation into lots of different areas.

5. Ask questions & Really Listen.

As an introvert, we are really good at this. I don't really like to talk about myself with people I don't know. I'm much better at asking them to talk about....them.  Thankfully for us, listening is a skill many people don't possess. It's a great way to show we value people by asking them questions and really listening to their responses.

6. Have questions ready for the panels.

Many times the panels allow for questions to be answered. Creating questions on the fly is challenging. However, if I take a few minutes to check out the speaker's bios and then listen to them talk, I can usually jot down a few thoughtful questions I'd like to ask.

7. Collect contact cards, email addresses, and business cards.

I won't remember anyone's email address or website no matter how clever it is. Plus, I usually need to decompress after a conference. Collecting these in a journal helps me

8.  Have a memorable card.

I didn't do this and was kicking myself later.  It's important to have something to stand out from in a crowd of people. Personally, I think I blend in so I like to have a card that is a bit more colorful, that will stand out in the collection of cards that are passed around.

Another bonus with cards: They move the conversation and eyeballs off of you and onto your card. And if you don't have a bone fide business or whatever out, use a card to share a little about you. Use the words "artpreneur," a favorite quote, the ebook you wrote- something that will attract someone who shares a similar desires as you do, start a conversation, and lead to building relationships.

Which leads to more conversations and a deepening community.

Phew, we're almost done with the conference (tired yet?)

9. Follow up with a few people.

I usually wait a few days and then send emails with people I would like to stay in touch with.  If they have a website, I'll check it out and subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed, perhaps wandering over to Instagram (my favorite social media feed), Twitter, or Facebook to follow them.

10. Review your notes.

Look at your notes the next day. What stands out to you? Is there a conversation that you want to write down? A blog post to write?  A story you want to remember?

11. Percolate.

Spend some time thinking about the conference. You've just taken in a ton of information. I've discovered that certain things really resonate with me. These are the ideas and concepts that "float to the top" after the adrenaline and activity has settled.

What can you do with what you've learned? Is there an action you need to take?  A blog post to write? A new series of paintings to start? Do you feel encouraged? Inspired? Overwhelmed?  Use this opportunity to release your creativity.

It's your turn:

Do you have any "methods" to help you move past the funny feelings that go with a huge room of strangers? How do you digest the information or meet new people?