ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Introvert-Approved Networking: How to Work the Room, Build Long-Term Connections & Follow Up
Host Brittany Canaski talks with Lauren Ansley, a conference emcee, facilitator, speaker, and audience engagement partner, about making networking less intimidating and more effective for long-term career growth. Lauren shares tips using “visual,verbal, and situational” connection cues to start conversations. They also cover conference networking follow-up systems plus ways to network internally at work through curiosity, small moments, and intentional relationship-building.
Key takeaways:
- Let's reframe networking events as places where everyone wants to meet people to make them less intimidating.
- The key to effective networking is actually in the strength of your follow-up system afterwards.
- Networking isn't just outside your organization, find ways to intentionally connect with people in your organization to build influence and trust internally.
🔗 Connect with Lauren:
Website: www.LaurenAnsley.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensansley/
Work The Room Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033HpDdEO7lNWC00N9bSw3Work The Room Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/work-the-room-with-lauren-ansley/id6785940020
⏱ What we covered:
00:00 Why Networking Matters
00:20 Meet Lauren Ansley
02:12 Introvert Friendly Events
05:48 Join the Circle Confidently
07:35 Bagel vs Croissant Networking
08:43 Networking With Friends
13:09 Three Connection Cues
17:38 Beyond What Do You Do
19:05 Conference Follow Up Plan
22:39 Better Conference Questions
23:05 Follow Up Like a Pro
24:01 Write Contextual Messages
25:54 Tier Your Connections
28:04 Build a Follow Up System
30:47 Protect Your Energy
32:12 Network Inside Your Company
37:18 Personal Brand at Work
40:38 Fresh Eyes Add Value
41:42 Wrap Up and Where to Find Lauren
✉️ Leadership Insights: Join the Hello Velocity newsletter for actionable tips twice a month to grow your leadership skills with the burnout: https://www.hellovelocity.co/newsletter
Hello Velocity is a leadership coaching podcast to help high-achieving corporate women level up without burning out.
👋 Connect with the host, Brittany Canaski:
Instagram - @HelloVelocityCo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-canaski/
Website - https://www.hellovelocity.co/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hellovelocityco
