Let’s be real: the word networking alone is enough to make some of us want to crawl under the nearest table and fake a phone call. If you’re a naturally introverted person trying to navigate the wonderfully extroverted world of music and entertainment, you already know—this whole “people-ing” thing can feel like a full-blown endurance sport.
Unfortunately, this industry (and I say this lovingly) runs on the kind of schmoozing that makes your palms sweat just thinking about it. It’s all who you know and how you follow up and which rooftop you bonded on at 2am over bad tacos. Which sounds fun—if you’re the kind of person who finds loud rooms and forced small talk “fun.” For the rest of us? It’s the Hunger Games, but with lanyards and awkward hugs.
But don’t worry—I’ve got you. If you’re the type of person who’d rather be writing songs in your bedroom than shaking hands at a greenroom mixer, here are some survival tips that actually work.
1. Lower the Bar (In a Good Way)
Start by setting the bar realistically low. No need to walk out of a songwriter hang with 19 new best friends and three cowrite sessions on the books. Maybe your goal is just to make one real connection. Maybe it’s to stay for an hour without faking a bathroom emergency. Whatever it is—cool. Small wins are still wins.
Pro tip: set a numeric goal—“I’ll talk to five people.” Once you hit that number? Gold star. You’re done. Go eat chips in your car.
2. Plan Your Recharge Like You Plan Your Outfit
Social interaction burns your battery like Spotify drains data. If you know you’re headed into a full-on networking event (or even just a writers round with strangers), give yourself space after to decompress. No back-to-back hangouts. No errands. Just you, silence, maybe your dog.
You’re not being “antisocial.” You’re managing your energy like the precious, finite resource that it is.
3. Lean Into the Listener Role
Here’s where being introverted is your secret weapon: you’re a good listener. You don’t need to dominate the conversation or pitch yourself like you’re running for class president. Just show up with a couple of thoughtful questions. Let them do the talking.
Bonus: people love people who let them talk about themselves. You’ll come off as interested, empathetic, and memorable—and you didn’t even have to do 70% of the talking. Victory.
4. Use Your Extrovert Friend Like a Human Shield
Every introvert needs an extrovert in their corner. Someone to walk into a room with, break the ice, and casually pull you into conversations like it’s no big deal (because to them, it’s not). Don’t be afraid to buddy up.
This isn’t cheating—it’s called strategy. And if they’re a good friend, they’ll know their job is to say, “Hey, have you met my friend?” and then let you take it from there.
5. Own the Awkward
Spoiler alert: networking is awkward for everyone. Even the guy in the flashy blazer who looks like he was born doing tequila shots on a red carpet probably had to fake confidence until it became a muscle memory.
So if things get weird—say it. Laugh about it. “Wow, I’m so bad at small talk” is a surprisingly effective icebreaker. Most of the time, the other person will laugh and go, “Same.” Boom—bond formed.
Honestly, if you manage to be authentic in a room full of people trying to impress each other, you’ve already won.
Final Thought
You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to make a meaningful connection. You just have to show up, be present, and follow up like a human. And if all else fails? Leave early and write a song about how uncomfortable it was. That’s still networking—just in verse.