The former Google executive, editorial director of Twitter and self-described introvert offers networking advice for anyone who has ever cancelled a coffee date due to social anxiety—about how to nurture a vibrant circle of reliable contacts without leaving your comfort zone.
My good friend Karen and I started at Google on the same day. I’ll never forget the warmth of her introduction. She’s been an invaluable friend, colleague, and advisor ever since. Whether you’re an introvert or not, be sure to read this book. (And yes, I am way more of an introvert than you would ever assume. Exhibit A: I live in the woods.)
@sacca I ordered on Kindle/Audible based on the recommendation, and was resold 3x over after reading the description on Amazon. Looks like there's super practical advice in there 🙇♂️
As a fellow introvert, I appreciate this, @kvox. 😃
On a related note: I avoid professional events because I don't enjoy them and from a pure business POV, an hour spent online on Twitter or creating content (I used to blog a ton before PH started) can reach so many more people and plant seeds of future relationships. Meeting people in person is very different and there's a lot of serendipity that comes from events (which is why we encourage Product Hunt meetups), but they take a lot of time and not very scaleable.
INFJ here, this is on my list! I can def relate to Karen's interviews! I opt for 1:1's, naturally ask lots of questions and I can remember all the details. I have to remind myself to keep it 'light' as I am prone to getting a bit deep - which isn't for everyone...I've learnt 😃 I look forward to reading Karen's guide on how to network organically!
Karen is deeply, almost supernaturally connected. She brings value to everyone she knows and also makes insanely valuable connections between all the folks in her circle. So I can't think of a better source of this variety of wisdom. Definitely must read.
Pros:
As a bonafide introvert, this book is quickly becoming my bible. I've always avoided networking and probably missed out. Not anymore!
This book made me rethink everything I knew about networking. I hate the actual act of networking in a crowd and I never liked business advice telling me for the last 20 years I need to do it in order to help my career.
Instead, this book is about what it takes to be a good person, how to be helpful to others, and how to find ways you can join groups to demonstrate your expertise while lending a hand to others. It's also about how to stay in touch with a large network of people you regularly interact with.
Then it covers all the things your network can be useful for in the future, after you've built it up and maintained it, she explains how to tap your network and when to ask for advice and help.
Honestly I never thought I was any good at networking, even though I know hundreds of people and keep up with a great number of them, and I used to think I hated building up my network because of natural introversion. But after reading this, I realized I keep up with all my former coworkers and colleagues and talk to old friends from the industry all the time and I actually have a pretty big network and I guess I really am good at it after all.
Pros:
Filled with great advice for everyone, not just introverts
Cons:
none really
Report
Karen is a wizard when it comes to "networking"... she just naturally knows everyone, and connects everyone, and makes it look completely effortless. 🤷♂️ I have seen her do this in real life so I want to learn all her tricks! Highly recommended.
There’s often more at play with social anxiety than being an introvert or extrovert (to your point @sacca of living in the woods yet being very social). I’m interested to hear what Karen writes about this.
TWiStartups- This Week in Startups (Matt Epstein, Zenefits VP Marketing)
VC Puzzle
Product Hunt
Soulscape
LedBetter
Karen is deeply, almost supernaturally connected. She brings value to everyone she knows and also makes insanely valuable connections between all the folks in her circle. So I can't think of a better source of this variety of wisdom. Definitely must read.
Pros:As a bonafide introvert, this book is quickly becoming my bible. I've always avoided networking and probably missed out. Not anymore!
Cons:None come to mind.
Slack
This book made me rethink everything I knew about networking. I hate the actual act of networking in a crowd and I never liked business advice telling me for the last 20 years I need to do it in order to help my career.
Instead, this book is about what it takes to be a good person, how to be helpful to others, and how to find ways you can join groups to demonstrate your expertise while lending a hand to others. It's also about how to stay in touch with a large network of people you regularly interact with.
Then it covers all the things your network can be useful for in the future, after you've built it up and maintained it, she explains how to tap your network and when to ask for advice and help.
Honestly I never thought I was any good at networking, even though I know hundreds of people and keep up with a great number of them, and I used to think I hated building up my network because of natural introversion. But after reading this, I realized I keep up with all my former coworkers and colleagues and talk to old friends from the industry all the time and I actually have a pretty big network and I guess I really am good at it after all.
Pros:Filled with great advice for everyone, not just introverts
Cons:none really
Revere