I'm still at Microsoft TechEd, and the response to my question about how to effectively use my time at software conferences was overwhelmingly "networking is the most useful part of software conferences".

Problem: I have no idea how to even approach that task. I've always been kind of an introvert. At school and at work I've generally not had issues because there are enough extroverts around that approach me that I've made some awesome friends over the years. However, at conferences, it seems most are introverted like myself, and those who aren't seem to be salespeople.

The couple of times I've felt okay approaching people it's been after a session where there's been healthy discussion throughout the whole room, and just when I get the nerve to go up and talk to some people, they leave and go on to other things.

Is there a specific books I should read? Advice I can take? Anything as far as approaching people one does not know? 'Cause every time I try I just feel like an awkward mess. :(

(Oddly enough, I don't have problems speaking to a group of people -- it's the one-on-one things that trip me up :P) (Oh, and by the way, if anyone from here is also there and would like to meet to talk about things, I'm game :P)

So, how does an introverted programmer like myself network effectively at software conferences?

You need to do three things...

Start conversations - and the best way to do this is to introduce yourself to someone and ask questions. Most folks love to talk about themselves and their opinions - even introverts! Here are a few you can try...


What's your favorite session so far?
Where are you from?
Do you use [a technology discussed at the conference]?
Where do you work?
What did you think of this session? (If it's at the end of a session.)
How did you decide to come to this conference?


That will usually begin a discussion. If not, excuse yourself, wander off, and try somebody else.

Find people to talk to. As Mike Brown said, don't eat alone - find somebody sitting by themselves and ask if you can join them, or just plop down in an empty seat at a table. If you find a session interesting, go to the front afterward and hang [with] the folks who gather to talk to the speaker, and find some interesting person in that group and when they leave, walk with them and ask them questions.

Practice, practice, practice. Just walk up to people and ask friendly questions. Lots of them are introverted, too, and would be very happy if you'll break the ice - and it will help you get past your introversion.

I was pretty introverted in high school, and I decided to change that in college. So my first few weeks as a freshman, I'd walk into the cafeteria and do pretty much what I suggest above - sit down with some lone person and ask, "What year are you?" "What are you studying?" etc.

After doing that now for almost thirty-five years (yeah, I'm an old dude now), nobody would call me an introvert, and I can hold up my end of most conversations - especially at technical conferences, where other people share common interests.
