Can an INTROVERT like me actually be good at networking?

i used to be pretty shy myself and didn't like meeting new people. as i have gotten older it has gotten alot better. i think we are introverted because we are afraid of rejection; i still am at times. but, every day i get closer to not caring what other people think. i'm just me and that's all i'm ever gonna be. not so bad really. i really came out of my shell when i first got involved with real estate investing clubs. it's my passion and man, can i talk about it. i've been on the board of 2 clubs and held several offices in one club. the club that i'm a member of now has a really shy man and he's so quiet. he and i have talked because now i can usually get anybody to talk to me, but he didn't have much success with others in the club. we asked him to work the welcome table and he is coming out of his shell more and more. in fact, we want him to work it all the time now because he does a great job and it helps him to network a little. are you in an investing club? is there one in your area? that might be a good place to start because they make you feel welcome and you all have real estate in common. having the same thing in common can be a good starting place. you can go to the meetings and not have to talk much, but after a few times, i bet you'll start coming out of your shell. good luck.

You can come out of your shell. You have to! I was very shy when I was younger, and still when I got into RE because I didn't know much. It is good to start talking with people on the phone. Talk with sellers, agents, call home for sale ad's an just try and find some info out and get comfortable speaking on phone. Once you have done that go to a local rei club. Take it all in, things will start to come eaiser for you. Try to talk to a few people, network, and start making those deals! Don't let being shy hold you back from your success!

Jeremy

I have the same problem as you. I can talk for hours about real estate and all I know but I need to be comfortable with the person I talk to first. I can't force myself to just come up to a person and say "Dude! I have this killed deal, you wanna invest?!" I actually heard someone approach a "money-man" with the phrase like that and it WORKED!!! Go firgure.

I am working on my people skills every day, but it is very hard to break a habit I have had for over 30 years.

Yuri

I practiced by talking to a new neighbor today because they have a 3 year old, and my 3 year old wanted to go meet her. But, I have been in an investor club for over 12 years, but since kids I haven't gotten to go much. The few times I've gone, I go with my husband and the kids, and we take turns watching the kids at the back. We're the only ones there with kids, and don't get to talk to anyone else.

I am much like you Yuri, I have to be comfortable with someone to really open up to Them. I do really good with extremely extroverted people though, because they love to talk and I am a good listener. Its hard for me to ever get a word in with them though and I struggle with getting myself in the conversation, or attempting to talk and they continue to talk. The only time I get in the conversation is when they've asked a question. Talking on the phone is ok, I was in customer service for over 10 years, but the 'in person stranger stuff' has always been difficult. I'm trying linkedin at another person's suggestion.

Thanks for the stories of overcoming it! I'm sure once I'm more confident with this new type of investing, I'll do ok. I don't have any problems talking to perspective tenants, because I'm focused on a familiar task. Am I doomed if I can't get to a REI club?

Use what you have to practice. if you can't get to a club, you have other ways to practice. you can talk to prospective tenants, so that is good practice. maybe try making a phone call and see how it goes and what you can do to improve it the next time. getting out of your comfort zone is a slow process and you can only take it one step at a time. i am big on affirmations (i call them prophecies because i am prophesying what i want in my life) and i say "i am bold, courageous, fearless and assertive (women aren't supposed to be aggressive, but they can be assertive). if necessary, i do it afraid." that helps me. maybe it will help you.

Tammy,

One thing that really helped me was to join toastmasters which has many sections across NA, but this is a public speaking group but will also help to raise the confidence level to speak with people.

Practice makes perfect!! Courage is when you step out of your comfort zone....but do it anyways....your success depends on how willing you are to get out of your comfort zone!

Good luck!

You will be fine at real estate. The next time the mailman comes buy ask him if he knows of any empty houses in the area. By striking up a conversation with him you will practice. The next time you see someone out at a house you are interested in stop and ask questions. Call up a FSBO and ask them questions about there house, the conversations will follow. You have real passion for real estate, it is easy to talk about it. I am just like you and I find it very easy to talk with people about Real Estate. You are networking on this site right now. From reading your posts I never would have known you are a introvert if you had not had mentioned it. You have one of the best qualities to be successful in real estate, You are an excellant listner. Go out and talk to prospective people with deals, then do what you do best listen to them, then all you have to do is find a solution to there problems. Relax you have taken the first step and started working towards your financial freedom. You will be successful at this. I am sure of it.

Kolby

Don't let that stop you from reaching your dreams and achieving your goals.

Alot of us are shy or don't enjoy talking to people.

Step back and look at the situation for a moment. If you start talking about creating win/win situations which allow them ( and you ) to start making money.

Real Estate is a people business first and foremost.

Good luck to you !

Randy S.
Elkton, MD

See, here it is in black and white.

YES YES YES... an introvert can do this! Once you are out there and at the meeting, people approach you and start conversations with you. And if they don't you can simply say, Hi, my name is Cookie Monster and I am a REAL ESTATE INVESTOR. (You may want to say your name instead of Cookie Monster).

How did I get out of the house with the kids? Well he wasn't happy about it but I told him I needed to go. Now my older kids are old enough to babysit the younger kids, and usually its much easier. There are still times that don't work out. But I cannot use this as an excuse!

Like in the ending of Shrek 2, it all worked out fine and I have been accepted in the REI investor world.

The way to overcome this is to JUST GET OUT AND DO IT AFRAID! The more you do it the easier it becomes; I even TEACH classes now. BUT, it still isn't natural for me to socialize; however, I've now built relationships and have some familiar faces when I goto events. So, if you are an introvert, quit defining yourself as that and just go out with confidence defining yourself as a REAL ESTATE INVESTOR. It doesn't matter if you're short, tall, fat, thin, extroverted, introverted, blue, purple, yellow or orange. Go out, stop making excuses and know YOU CAN DO IT!!!

~Cookie Monster
I am bold. I am fearless. I am assertive. I take action. I overcome obstacles. I overcome. I am a champion! I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to! Failure does not keep me down! EVER!!!