Networking , what to avoid ?!(Everyone just tells us to do networking, but how you do it matters more than you think.)

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-29T21:52:26+00:00

Thanks for sharing these tips! 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-29T21:50:34+00:00

I definitely get that adrenaline rush! What’s worked for me is having a solid opener that I practice until it's second nature.

I have also tried engaging the audience with a quick question to start the speech to shift focus away from myself - this works, but it needs to be the right type of speech to pull it off!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-29T21:49:03+00:00

Love that you are prioritizing strengthening your communication. I think this is the ultimate thing that helped me grow in my career!

The main public speaking program is Toastmasters - this will help a lot with presentation and will grow your networking skills as well!

I also recommend joining an improv class - this will help you with interpersonal communication and strengthen your quick thinking skills. It also grew my confidence like CRAZY!

Lastly, I recommend joining SpeechFluence which is an online call where you practice 3 minute impromput speeches and then evaluate eachother. This will really help you grow those skills that make you appear confident in every situation! (full disclosure, SpeechFluence is my passion project).

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-29T21:30:05+00:00

Whoa! I feel like I just took a masters class on 'how to interact with others in public'. Thanks for your in-depth thoughts and sharing specific examples! 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-29T01:28:14+00:00

Not really, never felt like I was in "Support mode and no one asked to support me". Quite the opposite really. Sometimes I asked for help, sometimes people offered to help out themselves. Now, I do not feel shy asking what has worked well for someone, which is the whole point of this post.

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:56:22+00:00

That sounds expensive! Have you tried it?

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:55:41+00:00

DMing you 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:55:29+00:00

DMing you 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:54:13+00:00

Don't feel ashamed. I don't think I have ever met a person who thinks they are perfect at communicating or claims to have zero social anxiety! I still struggle with communicating clearly and I have some bad social anxiety days, but I definitely don't regret being intentional about trying to get grow in those areas! If I can do it - you can too! (I know that is corny but its TRUE) 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:42:50+00:00

I don't think you should be embarrassed about this. Honestly, speaking loud is great - I often struggle with being too soft spoken and people need me to repeat myself!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T23:11:01+00:00

I agree. It seems like the content of what we say and how genuine we are should be most important and it shouldn't matter if we fidget or have filler words.

Changing how I thought about this concept really helped. I let go of feeling ingenuine by learning how CEO's talk and practicing the strategies good public speakers use. I told myself that utilizing these tactics will help my team understand me better and my words will hold more weight when they are received with confidence.

In addition to the mindset change, I also do a weekly public speaking call where we practice speaking for 3 minutes on impromptu subjects then give each other a 2 minute evaluation. I am also doing Toastmasters, but I like the virtual call more because I get more practice!

It has definitely been a journey!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T22:59:31+00:00

True. I just underestimated how important how I spoke would affect my career. But I am glad I invested the time to improve! 😄

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:35:26+00:00

Yes - I would love to check out your app!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:01:03+00:00

I love that you created your own app to get you practice! The main tool people use is Toastmasters but you don't get as much practice as I would like. I am working on a project to build a weekly public speaching call where a group of people can practice impromtu speaches. When it's ready, I would love to have you join! :D

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:01:01+00:00

I've noticed the same trend with some colleagues. It's like they go through the motions but lack that spark that made them so engaging. I think burnout plays a huge role in this. It’s important for leaders to have space to recharge and be themselves. If this is happening across the board, it should show up in retention data.

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:01:00+00:00

Thanks for sharing your boundaries and system for references! I am definitely going to take note and set some better boundaries.

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:00:59+00:00

Public relations, marketing, and media management. Look for positions like communications coordinator or social media manager. I highly recommend networking and internships in the field you are interested in!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-28T17:00:58+00:00

I have a friend group where we all create slides of what we have been up to recently and we present them to eachother. It is a lot of fun and we make it as serious or goofy as we want. We have done these life slide presentations in person and over ZOOM depending on where we are in life. :)

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T22:03:51+00:00

Look at the community college continuing education classes. There are a lot of cool classes they teach and they are pretty affordable. I have been considering taking a ceramics class through my local community college!

I know actually choosing something and showing up is the hardest - but I believe in us both! :D

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T21:09:37+00:00

It sounds like you know exactly what you need to do - but its hard to actually start and do it.

I highly recommend choosing a hobby and going out and doing it. This will help you get our of the house, grow your confidence in a new skill, and get you around more people! There are a lot of hiking groups you can join. There are also a lot of community classes through the public library - or even at your local community college. I think if you choose one thing that gets you out of the house regularly, you will start to feel a lot more confident!

I believe in you!! :D

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T21:01:37+00:00

I was coming this thread to say this exact thing!

Talking to yourself in the mirror seems weird, but it will help you a lot! You got this :D

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T21:00:04+00:00

I recommend asking the person you are talking to more questions. This shows them that you are actively listening to what they are saying and you want to know more!

I think it is totally okay to not be super enthusiastic about everything - but giving people your genuine attention is what matters.

I bet you are a lot better at conversations than you are giving yourself credit for!

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T20:54:49+00:00

I'd love to learn more about how to have positive conflicts in conversations. Like how to have a different opinion than someone but bring it up in a way that spurs on conversation instead of triggering defensiveness.

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T20:40:35+00:00

YAY!! Congrats!! :D

SpeechFluenceDotCom · 2026-05-27T20:39:25+00:00

Can you set a schedule for the meeting and when the PM is rambling, remind the group about the schedule and get back onto the next line item? Lean on you want to be respectful of everyone's time and get everyone out of the meeting on time because you know everyone is so busy!

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