Hello, everyone! I just got back from the most amazing retreat in San Diego, where I attended the Jamie Berman Abundance Retreat. It was an incredible weekend full of transformation, reflection, and connection. But, to be honest, the experience left me a little drained and exhausted—so much so that I spent the first few days afterward recovering in bed and had to reschedule all my meetings.

Surrounded by amazing female entrepreneurs and coaches, I was reminded of how important in-person events are. Jamie Berman, one of my favorite coaches, specializes in abundance manifestation and money mindset. If those are areas you’re struggling with, I highly recommend checking her out. This retreat got me thinking about how far I’ve come as an introvert who used to avoid these events like the plague. Now, I can confidently say I’ve learned how to manage my anxiety and thrive at in-person networking events.

If you’re an introverted entrepreneur, especially a coach, and the thought of attending a retreat or mastermind makes you nervous, this post is for you. I’m going to share how I conquered my fear of in-person events and transformed my approach to networking for introverts.

Let’s dive in!

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Embracing In-Person Events as an Introvert

I’ve always considered myself an introvert, and the idea of going to in-person networking events filled me with dread. The thought of walking into a room full of strangers, trying to make small talk, and putting myself out there seemed overwhelming. But this past year, I decided to lean into these experiences, even though they scared me.

It all started when I attended the Life Coach School in Miami to become a certified life coach. It was a transformative experience that changed my approach to networking for introverts. Since then, I’ve attended several in-person events and even hosted one myself! My goal now is to attend at least four in-person events every year because they’ve been so life-changing for my business and personal growth.

But here’s the thing—it’s never easy. Even after embracing these events, the anxiety is still there. However, I’ve developed strategies to manage it and even enjoy the experience.

1. Manage Your Mind: Thought Work is Key

The first step in conquering my fear of in-person events was learning to manage my mind. As introverts, we often have thoughts like, “This is scary,” “I don’t know anyone,” or “What if no one talks to me?” These thoughts only fuel our anxiety, but here’s the secret—they’re optional. You can choose other thoughts that serve you better.

Reframe Your Thoughts

When I realized that my thoughts about networking events were what kept me from showing up, I did some serious mindset work. I started recognizing that the event itself was just a circumstance. It wasn’t inherently scary; it was my thoughts about it that made it feel that way.

The turning point came when I heard that my coach, Brooke Castillo, was holding her final life coach certification training in person. I had the thought, “I have to be in that room.” That one thought was stronger than all the fear and anxiety I had. Yes, I was scared about going to Miami alone, leaving my kids behind, and all the logistical headaches, but I didn’t let those thoughts control me. I held on to the one thought that served me: I need to be in that room.

Key Takeaway: Shift Your Mindset

If thoughts like “What if no one talks to me?” are keeping you from attending networking events, remind yourself that these thoughts are optional. Choose a thought that serves you better, such as “I need to be in that room because there’s something valuable waiting for me.”

2. Do It Scared: Embrace the Discomfort

Even after shifting my mindset, I still had thoughts that triggered anxiety. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be 100% confident to show up. It’s okay to do it scared.

Show Up Scared

I realized that I didn’t need to feel completely brave to attend an event—I just needed to show up. And showing up in itself is an act of bravery. Every time I felt nervous leading up to an event, I reminded myself that it was okay to be scared and that I could do it anyway.

I’ve used this approach not just for in-person networking but for other intimidating aspects of my business. The next time you feel scared about attending an event, remember: you don’t have to wait until you feel brave to go. Just showing up is brave enough.

Key Takeaway: Courage is in the Showing Up

It’s okay to feel nervous, anxious, or scared. You don’t have to be fearless to participate in a networking event. Just show up, and you’ll already be doing more than most people.

3. Set a Goal: Make Friends with Everyone

One strategy that’s helped me immensely at networking events is setting a simple goal—make friends with everyone. I know, it sounds ambitious, but bear with me!

Shift the Focus from Networking to Friendship

When I attended my life coach certification event in Miami, I set an intention to make friends with everyone there. This shifted my mindset from “networking” to “friendship.” I wasn’t thinking about business or making professional connections; I was focused on forming genuine relationships.

And guess what? It worked! By the end of the event, I had made 24 new friends, and we even created a mastermind group that we’ve kept up since. Many of those women attended my Superbloom birthday party, and now they’re some of my closest friends and collaborators.

Key Takeaway: Set a Connection-Based Goal

Instead of putting pressure on yourself to make professional connections, set a goal to make friends. Friendships are the foundation of lasting, meaningful business relationships.

4. Bring Business Cards: Be Prepared for Opportunities

One of the most practical tips I have is to always bring business cards to networking events. Yes, even in today’s digital world, business cards are still a powerful tool.

Stand Out with Luxurious Business Cards

As a branding expert, I’m all about creating luxury experiences—even with something as simple as a business card. A beautifully designed, tactile business card can leave a lasting impression. I always advise my luxury brand clients to invest in high-quality, memorable business cards. Whether it’s thick paper stock, gold foil accents, or unique textures, these small details can make a big impact.

Key Takeaway: Don’t Forget Your Business Cards

Bring a stack of beautifully designed business cards to every event. You never know when an opportunity will arise, and having a tangible, memorable card can set you apart from the crowd.

5. Bring Snacks: Fuel Your Body and Mind

Here’s a tip you might not expect—bring snacks! Networking events can be long and draining, especially for introverts who need to recharge their energy. Having snacks on hand can help you stay focused and engaged.

The Importance of Self-Care

At some of the conferences I’ve attended, the days were jam-packed with sessions, and I didn’t want to miss a single one. Having snacks on hand allowed me to stay fueled and energized without skipping meals or feeling drained.

Key Takeaway: Stay Energized with Snacks

Don’t let hunger sap your energy at a networking event. Bring snacks to stay energized, focused, and present throughout the day.

6. Bring a Friend: The Buddy System Works

If you’re feeling nervous about attending an event alone, bring a friend! Having someone by your side can take a lot of the pressure off and make the experience more enjoyable.

A Fun and Supportive Experience

For my latest retreat, I invited my friend and client Lindy Yoshida to come along. We had a blast! Sharing a hotel room, flying together, and attending the sessions side by side made the entire experience less intimidating and more fun.

Key Takeaway: Don’t Go It Alone

If you can, bring a friend to the event. It makes the experience more enjoyable and can help ease the anxiety that comes with attending solo.

7. Be Gentle with Yourself: Take Time to Recharge

As an introvert, I know how draining in-person events can be. Even though they’re incredibly valuable, they can also be exhausting. That’s why it’s important to be gentle with yourself and build in time to recharge.

Self-Care at Events

When I’m at these events, I make sure to carve out time for myself. Whether it’s going back to the hotel room for a couple of hours or taking a quiet moment to myself, I make sure I have time to recharge.

Key Takeaway: Balance Connection with Self-Care

Don’t push yourself too hard. It’s okay to step away, recharge, and come back feeling refreshed. Your well-being matters just as much as making connections.

Conclusion: Networking for Introverts is Possible—And Powerful!

Networking for introverts doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. With the right mindset, a few practical strategies, and a little self-compassion, you can not only survive but thrive at in-person events. Whether it’s managing your thoughts, setting a goal to make friends, or simply bringing snacks to stay fueled, there are plenty of ways to make these events more manageable.

Remember, it’s okay to do it scared. Show up, embrace the discomfort, and you might just walk away with new friends, valuable connections, and transformative experiences.

I hope these tips help you conquer your fear of networking as an introvert. If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to check out my podcast, Superbloom, for more tips on growing your life coaching business. You’ve got this!

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