You're probably going to find yourself in a crowd of strangers every now and then. It can be particularly helpful for introverts to have a plan—before ever even wandering into that sea of people. Are there any specific attendees you're hoping to chat with? Think through ahead of time how you'll approach them and what you'd like to talk with them about. You can even arm yourself with a few conversation starters.

Create a Plan for Networking

Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for personal branding.  <ul><li>Your up-to-date profiles can tout your skills and accomplishments for you, without you so much as saying a word.</li><li>Try joining LinkedIn groups or <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-online-networking-opportunity-youre-probably-not-taking-advantage-of">Twitter chats</a> to participate in discussions relevant to your industry and connect with fellow professionals.</li></ul>

Leverage Social Media

Don't pressure yourself into thinking that you need to be the center of attention or speak with a large audience.If you continue to build one <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-realistic-ways-to-turn-professional-connections-into-real-relationships">meaningful relationship</a> at a time with the people who actually matter to you, by setting up informal meetings or coffee dates, you'll actually end up with a stronger personal brand than those people who fly around networking events engaging in endless conversations about the weather.

Focus on Relationships

Expanding your skills and expertise is a surefire way to solidify and improve your personal brand.  
Once you complete your extracurricular, make sure to post your new certification on your LinkedIn, your resume (if relevant) and your personal website to cash in on the branding payoff.

Expand Your Qualifications

When it comes to excelling in your career, you likely know that building and growing your personal brand is a key piece of the puzzle. But, here's the thing: The very thought of pasting on a smile and a name tag, shaking the hands of a bunch of strangers, and reciting your elevator pitch makes you nauseous.

Create a Plan for Networking

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