Sheepdog Financial is happy to welcome Karen Wickre to the show. Karen is an editor, curator, content strategist, and connector of people and ideas. She was an editorial director at Twitter, until age 65 when she decided to leave to reinvent herself as a writer and consultant. Her love of communication has carried her for over thirty years in the technology business as a writer, editor, and communications professional.

Karen wrote a book called "Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert's Guide to Making Connections Count." It shares her tips and strategies on how to manage the transition from corporate to what comes next. She is a true introvert and would rather be connecting with people from her laptop than working a room at a conference.

Karen discusses being an introvert and how that doesn't mean she is shy; it just means she needs a quiet place to process and regroup. She says that introverts have three superpowers, the ability to listen, the power of observation, and the ability to be curious and open. Having these three skills is necessary when you are trying to connect with new people.

She speaks about networking, in essence, being a one to one experience, whether you use social media or private messaging. Karen tells us that keeping in touch with people is as simple as taking ten minutes a day to send out a quick email or short private message to people you want to connect too.

Listen in as Karen gives us tips and tricks to networking when to do it, how to do it, and why to do it. You don't need thousands of followers. You need some quality contacts that will be there for you when you need them to be, and remember not everyone you meet needs to be in your network. If the word networking stresses you out, this is the episode for you so plugin and get ready to relax.

Highlights from Episode 17

[01:14] Welcome to the show, Karen!

[01:41] Karen speaks about networking, what it is, and why it is a necessary evil.

[04:44] A good definition of networking is making connections that count.

[06:00] How do you fit continuous networking into our daily lives?

[07:30] Connect with people you genuinely get a good feeling from or have a connection with.

[08:02] Have a specific question or area of focus, so you will know who you need to connect with.

[09:04] Karen says in her experience, people are flattered and like to help when asked.

[10:01] She talks about the power of introverts and their three superpowers. 

[11:31] Being able to listen is the first superpower.

[12:15] The power of observation is the second.

[13:09] Being curious and open is the third.

[14:22] What do you hate so much about networking?

[16:29] A quick email or private message is a great way to stay in loose touch with people.

[19:12] Karen chats about taking the first ten minutes of your day, sending out messages.

[21:44] Do you use some kind of when you are networking?

[24:38] Karen says that you don't have to have thousands of followers, it's about the quality of contacts more than quantity.

[25:43] The most common networking mistakes she sees are people fixating on your numbers and remember that not everyone you meet has to be in your network.

[26:28] From your book, what would you like listeners to pay attention to?

[27:27] What is your favorite military? 

[28:35] Thank you for coming on the show!

 

Links and Resources

Karen Wickre

Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert's Guide to Making Connections Count."

Karen@kvox

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Karen@karenwickre

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