I'm introverted by nature (most wouldn't think so by talking to me, but I have (and do) expend a huge amount of energy trying to be as extroverted as I can :) )

I'm introverted by nature (most wouldn't think so by talking to me, but I have (and do) expend a huge amount of energy trying to be as extroverted as I can :) ) My "networking" started small - people I happened to know who knew people (think: parents' friends, etc) Every job I've ever held (except one) came via "knowing someone" and/or "they found me" That all said, I've made a concerted effort to get into roles that force me to interact with new people - it's why I went into Professional Services / Consulting Every "good" [ish] customer I've had has had someone there I clicked with, and added to my network - initially by taking them to lunch (go go gadget expensible meals) or grabbing beverages after work, and then up to the "want to connect on LinkedIn?" question (not as some kind of smarmy serial one-night-standist, but in a sincere manner) And then I maintain that network through effort - I make sure I post regularly to LI; make sure I check out connections' posts periodically; for [some] folks, I add texting/calls/Slack/etc "Real" networking takes effort (whether you're introverted or extroverted ... it's still effort) Whether my method works for you or not, I cannot say - but it's been [apparently] successful for me so far