You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

6 Ways Introverts Can Avoid Feeling Shy at Conferences Have your opening line ready and find something useful to do. You're good to go.

By Jacqueline Whitmore

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

lavender_lace | Foap.com

Attending a conference can strike fear into the hearts and minds of entrepreneurs who are self-admitted introverts. While some people love to get out and network, others are more comfortable sitting behind their computer screen rather than making social conversation face to face.

Here are some steps you can take to feel more confident and better prepared for a conference.

1. Watch for opportunities to help.

Don't worry about yourself; instead, focus on the needs of others. Put your own fears aside and know that you're not the only one who feels anxious walking into a room full of strangers. Ask yourself, "What can I do to help someone else at this conference?" When you meet someone new, ask a few questions about their work or experiences, and see if there is anything you can do to help them achieve their goals. Try to find out about others and how you might be able to add value for them.

Related: The Real Meaning of 18 Polite Terms Related to Sucking Up

2. Prepare your opening lines.

Think through the range of people you will likely meet and develop a couple of opening lines that will help you break the ice. Introduce yourself and start with open-ended questions. For example, you might say, "What did you enjoy most about the session this morning?" Or, "What inspired you to attend this conference?" Or, "Can you tell me a little bit about your work?" Listen carefully and show a genuine interest in the other person and sooner or later you may discover that you both have a lot in common.

3. Start connecting before you go.

Find out who else will be attending your conference. If you have friends, make lunch, dinner or coffee dates with them throughout the conference. This network will help support you, give you something to look forward to, and provide you someone to sit with during meals.

If there is a speaker you're interested in meeting, Google them ahead of time and get some ideas for possible topics of conversation. Reach out prior to the conference via email or LinkedIn to set a date with them. They'll likely respond with enthusiasm because you showed an interest in them.

Related: 7 Ways to Increase Your Charisma

4. Practice your pitch.

People will invariably ask you, "What do you do?" or "What's your business?" Develop a brief description that tells others not only what you do, but how you can help them. For example, "I am a REALTOR with XYZ Corporation with a strong track record in helping people buy and sell historic homes in the Richmond area.''

As your conversation progresses, give concrete examples through stories or anecdotes of how you have helped some of your clients.

5. Volunteer.

Volunteering to an event is the shortest route from outsider to insider. You'll feel much more comfortable when you are a part of the action, and conference managers certainly could use the help. An assigned task will take your mind off of "what do I say?" and put the focus on "What can I do to help?"

Look for volunteer opportunities where you help set up, answer questions, collect evaluation forms or greet newcomers. Volunteering is an especially good way to develop interactive skills. It gives you a feeling of actually belonging instead of merely wanting to belong.

6. Rest and rejuvenate.

Many introverts need solitude to get re-energized. Plan some quiet time in your hotel room, work out for a half-hour in the hotel gym or take a walk outside. Make self-care a priority in your schedule.

The key to success is a focus on quality instead of quantity. Don't pressure yourself to meet hundreds of people. Focus on making connections with a few key people at each conference you attend and your network will steadily grow.

Related: The Secret to Increased Productivity: Taking Time Off

Jacqueline Whitmore

Author, Business Etiquette Expert and Founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach

Jacqueline Whitmore is an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Fla. She is the author of Poised for Success: Mastering the Four Qualities That Distinguish Outstanding Professionals (St. Martin's Press, 2011) and Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work (St. Martin's Press, 2005).

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Multibillion-Dollar Crypto Fraud

Southern District of New York Judge Lewis Kaplan said that the loss amount to the victims of Bankman-Fried's crimes surpassed $550 million.

Side Hustle

This Mom Started a Side Hustle After a 'Shocking' Realization in the Toy Aisle. Her Product Was in Macy's Within the Year — Seeing Nearly $350,000 in Sales.

Elenor Mak, now founder of Jilly Bing, didn't plan to start a business — but the search for a doll that looked like her daughter inspired her to do just that.

Growing a Business

To Achieve Sustainable Success, You Need to Stop Focusing on Disruption. Here's Why — and What You Must Focus on Instead.

Instead of zeroing in solely on disruptive innovation, embrace a pragmatic approach to innovation, recognizing and leveraging the potential within ongoing industry shifts.

Marketing

5 Ways to Get on the Media's Good Side (and Stay There)

When you're trying to make a name and a mark for yourself and your business, it's really important to get on the media's good side — and stay there.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg Told Meta Engineers to 'Figure Out' Snapchat's Privacy Protections: 'We Have No Analytics on Them'

Recently unsealed court documents detail "Project Ghostbusters," Meta's project to work around Snapchat's end-to-end encryption to intercept data.