Networking Events as an Introverted Entrepreneur w/ Angela Tan

As introverted entrepreneurs, networking events can feel super intimidating! Which one should you go to? How can you make friends? And the dreaded—what if something embarrassing happens? Lucky for us, Angela Tan is here to give us the scoop on everything from virtual events to in-person conferences, travel plans, & even how to handle that unfortunate event. 👀 Tune in & get ready to book your next business vacay—err… networking event!

With this episode you’ll be able to:

• Discover how to decide which in-person & virtual conferences to attend.
• Uncover how to approach conferences strategically for your business.
• Learn how to make the most out of events as an introverted entrepreneur.

Links & Resources:
Funnel Pharmacy
Efficient Emails

Connect w/ Angela:
Website
Instagram
Join her Email List

Related Episodes:
Dolly DeLong
5 Missed Opportunities w/ Relationship Marketing

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Transcript

0:06

Welcome back to the Basic Bee podcast. I'm so happy that you're tuning in. I am really excited for this conversation. I've been waiting probably like months for this to happen. I am here with Angela Tan and I'm going to introduce you to her and then introduce her to you officially.We're going to be talking all about Angela's travels and her conference experience and all of her networking tips and best practices and advice. Because Angela has gone to a couple, I think, of conferences, we'll get to the details in a second. But my name keeps coming up and her name keeps coming up and I'm not even at these events. So I was like, I need to have Angela on so we can talk this through. So that's what we're going to be talking about. But let me give you a quick intro to Angela.Angela Tan is the founder of the Systems RX, based in Tampa, Florida. She's a funnel tech and automation specialist offering both done for you and DIyev products and services. And she's got this really cool resource shop called the Funnel pharmacy. I just love the names that Angela has. As a mom of two littles, she's grateful for her automated systems that keep her sane while juggling all the things. That's why she's passionate about educating online business owners on easy to implement automated sales, client management and marketing systems so they can run a sustainable and hands off business. Angela, my friend. Hello. Hello, Brittany. I'm so excited to be here. I'm so excited to have you. And I didn't prep you for this next part, which is. Oh, I know. I've been listening to your podcast, so I know what's coming. Oh, my gosh, I'm so flattered. Okay, so, you know, so here's the question, and then I'm excited for your answer. And, you know, there's no wrong answers. So which do you believe is the most important for sales, SEO, storytelling or social proof? I'm going to cheat and say all three. That's not cheating. No. Okay, I can say all three. Yeah, I'm going to go with all three because I really think the combination of those three together can be really powerful for sales. People can find you through Google search with SEO, but if you can't connect with the people who found you through storytelling or establish your expertise with, like, social proof, then, you know, what's the point? But also, if people can't find you through SEO and you have storytelling and social proof, then, like, who are you sharing those things with, right? So with my experience of all the funnel building and all the funnels that I've seen. Like, the best sales pages have all three of those combined, and so I'm gonna say all three. I love this answer, and I like your explanation, too. I love it when other people say what's in my brain, and you just did that. Because that's why I, I've talked about this before, as you know. That's why I love case studies so much, because it has all three. You've got the quotes, you've got the storytelling, and you've got the SEO in there. So that is not what this episode is about. So let's get into when did you start going to networking events and what inspired you to do that? Yeah, so I joined this online world in 2019, and not long after that, we know what happened. So I didn't. I did a lot of virtual events for a year or two after that, and then finally got an amazing opportunity to go to an in person conference hosted by the one and only Jordan Gill.And I had to be there. Cause I'd been to all of her virtual events, and I was like, I have to be there for her first in person one. So I made it happen, and I went to make your mark Live 2023. And I will say, before I went to that in person conference, I did attend, like, an in person mastermind retreat. And the connections that happen in person are just so different. It just happens so much faster. And you build relationships with people that last for so long. Yeah. A lot of people from the in person mastermind retreat were also going to the conference. I was like, oh, this would be so fun. I know some people there, but also, I get to meet new people and also get to see a lot of my Internet friends that I haven't met in person yet. So I just thought it'd be a great time and also a great excuse to have some alone time away from the kids, so. Right. I mean, you might as well wrap that all into one. Take a solo vacation, get some business stuff done, meet your Internet friends, and. It'S a tax deduction. It's a business expense. Well, it's not even air quotes. Like, it's a legit business expense because you're going for. I mean, you told me this before we recorded, and we'll get to it in a little while, but, like, you told me, a very strategic thing that you had in mind for your business and for going to this specific event and wanting to talk with certain people. So how do you. You told us about make your mark live and how you selected that event. But how, in general, do you choose which events you're going to go to? I look at who the event is for and what type of content will be delivered in the event itself. Like, if I will benefit from it, if it's tailored to more, like, beginners or, like, if it's way too advanced for me, I probably wouldn't even think of going there. But also looking at, like, I really like intimate experiences I've learned, like, if it's too big, I don't think I would get as much out of it. I think my introvert self would just, like, get overstimulated and like, ah, this is too much. But I look at who's gonna be there, how many people are gonna be there, and also, like, what could I learn from the content that's gonna be delivered there? Those are the main three things that I look for. I like that. And you definitely hit on something that I want to pull on this thread. So being an introvert and going to these networking events, was that, like, super intimidating to even think about going to these events? Because I'm an introvert too, so I'm like, I don't know. Yeah, I will tell you a story. Tell you a slightly embarrassing story. Okay, so make your mark live. The first night, there was a happy hour networking thingy, and I was very nervous. Like, I was meeting a lot of people for the first time, just very, very nervous, and I didn't even notice about myself, but I guess I was standing and, like, locking my knees, and I passed out for a second, and. And it was embarrassing. The people who saw it were like, oh, she's a girl who passed out for a hot minute. And the next day, everyone was like, are you okay? I was like, oh, wow, I really made my mark. Like, I made the conference. Nailed it. Yeah, I know. I was like, I did it. I made my mark. As an introvert. When I go to these events, I have to be very intentional about taking breaks. Like, even if it's just going to the bathroom for, like, five minutes, it just, like, you know, calm down. Or, I did this in the last conference that I went to in January for one of the nights. Like, instead of going out to dinner with everyone, just ordering dinner in my hotel room and just, like, decompressing for a few hours and then meeting up with everyone else afterwards.So I think it's so important to, like, have that time to yourself as an introvert. You're gonna want to do all the things, like, you don't want to get fomo and, like, miss out on the connections that you might build. But also, like, I definitely overdid it with the first conference that I went to, to the point where I came back and I think I shut down socially. I just went back into my shell, and I had a hard time talking and socializing with other people. So I learned for my next conference that I need to be more intentional and aware of when I start to run low on my social battery to kind of recharge myself, because I'm there to connect. Ultimately, I am there to connect. And if that isn't there, like, then what? You know, what's the point of being there if I'm just gonna, like, sit there by myself and like, yeah, I did eat lunch by myself in this conference that I went to in January, like, one of the days just to, like, decompress a little, and then I went back to socializing. So it's okay to take breaks as an introvert, you know, recharge your battery. Yeah, I think that's a really good thing to point out because I think I could see myself doing that and just being like, I'm gonna go to all the things. And I have this friend over at this one. I have this friend at that one. I could see me just, like, the social battery just, like, draining, actually. Probably dropping pretty quickly, too. Yes, it happens very quickly. And by the time you realize that, you're like, oh, no, I overdid it. Been there. My heart goes out to you, and it's like, a very, very real thing for introverts. Like, my thing is that I do actually lock my knees. But also, weird fact, I went to a charter school, and we did, like, this morning assembly every day. And so five days a week, we were getting this reminder, don't lock your knees out. Oh, I know. So I was like, oh, okay. So that has interestingly served me for the next, what, 30 some odd years or something like that. Well, but I was actually kind of thinking, like, even though that was a very unfortunate event and you locked your knees and you passed out, and then people knew you for that. That was also kind of like a smart, serendipitous thing happening, because then people are coming to you and they're checking on you. Yes. And then, you know, conversation just, like, naturally flows. Right. I'm imagining for sure I met so many new people that the next day they were like, oh, you were the one that passed out. Yep, that's me. It's like, yes, and you are. And then new friendships were born just like that. So, yes, it was a great conversation starter. Oh, my goodness. That is too funny. I'm glad you're okay, but that's also, like, a very real thing, and I appreciate you sharing, because I could very much see me doing something like that. So we talked about how you choose them if you feel comfortable. Do you have any favorites? Like, people that you met or places that you went to, events that you went to? Things that you want. Like, any favorites. One favorite is the temperature has to be slightly warm ish, not cold. That's good to know. I don't do well in the cold, so I typically look at, like, where and when the events are happening, and, like, if I can handle the weather. Like, there was an event that I was looking at in Montana in, like, November, and I was like, no, no, absolutely not. So that's one thing. Cause, like, you gotta pack, and you gotta, like you to look cute. So that's one thing. Consideration. But in terms of, like, peoples, it helps when you know people that are going, at least have one buddy that's gonna, like, be there. That's your rock. Or, like, someone that you can just, like, fall back to. Introverts need that person. We need our one buddy. It's like toy story. We need our moving buddy. If you have, like, a friend that know, can go with you, like, even better. But it's just, I feel so much more comfortable when I know at least one person there. And also, like, that person would probably know other people that they can introduce you to to make connections, like, so much easier. But, yeah, that. I think those are really the two things. I'm sure I'll think of others after we stop recording. No, that's okay. I'm not done asking you questions yet, so you have time to, like, let those things percolate. I was thinking, as you were talking, I'm like, have I ever gone to networking events? And there's two that came to mind. One that was more like massage related. So every year in North Carolina, at least every other year, you're required to get continuing education classes and credits and all that.And there was one in person event that I went to where I didn't know anybody, and it was a very large group of people, and it was a lot of fun, but it was like, oh, my gosh, where am I? Who are these people? It was also, like, all women. And I want to say there were, like, 50 female students, and then there was, like, the guy teacher, and he did such an amazing job with like, we all had questions, and we were all very chatty, and so he kind of had to, like, wrangle us back to, like, okay, we're doing the thing now. Like, I need you to pay attention. And mind you, this is, like, grown people, like, adults, where it's like, he's wrangling us.But I do remember there was one person I buddied up to, my, like, seat partner, table partner. And she was from that area. I was. It was, like, an hour and a half away from where I lived. And so she was, oh, do you want to go to lunch over here? Oh, do you want to go out to dinner? It was, like, just the two of us. That was so nice. And she became a lifelong friend, so, like, that was really fun.And then for the online world, it was November, I think, of 2019, right before the world crashed, and I got to go to Nashville for a social curators event with Jasmine Star, and it was a lot of fun. And I remember, like, me and crystal were the last two people, and she stuck around until the very end, and I was like, it's okay. Like, if I don't get to say hi to her, that's okay. She stayed till the bitter end. Like, this woman will stick around and make sure she talks to everyone. Oh, that's so nice. Yeah, it was really nice. And it was just, like, such an enjoyable event. It was also a large group of people, but there were people I knew I wanted to go say hi to, and I got to say hi to all of them, and it was just, like, an evening. So just, like, I don't know, 4 hours or something. And it was a good amount of time for me. Cause I was able to, like, go and immerse myself in that and then, like, chill until I needed to come home. But it was a lot of fun to just, like, with both events, have one person that I was buddied up to and have that chill time and know kind of what I wanted to do in advance to make it a success. And it sounds like that kind of rings true. Yes. This past conference that I went to in January, my buddy was Dolly Delong, and, oh, yeah, she's so sweet. It was just nice to have that, like, accountability, too. It's like, okay, like, before we went out, like, we both asked each other, like, why are we going to disappear? What are you looking to get out of it?And we kind of, like, held each other accountable throughout the conference. Like, no, you should go talk to that person. Like, no, let's go talk to that person together. Like, it was just nice to have, like, a buddy to, like, do things together. It's hard because when you know that person, like, you have your buddy, you should still, like, venture off and, like, do your own things. And we did do that so that we're not, like, stuck together the entire time. But, like, when you do need, like, a person to run back to, it's like, oh, there's my buddy. Let me go back to my buddy. So definitely have a buddy at a conference. That is so cute. I think you've traveled for both of these events, right? Like, gone to other cities. Do you have any advice as far as when it comes to, like, booking accommodations or doing anything outside of the conference or any kind of travel? Thoughts? I learned this from my January conference. Go at least a day or two early because you never know with travel delays. So both of these conferences were in Dallas, and I guess there was, like, an arctic storm or something in this January conference, and it snowed in Dallas, and I guess that's not a normal thing. And again, I was not expecting snow. I was expecting, like, warm, like I'm from Tampa. Like, I was expecting, like, seventies, maybe sixties. It was in the thirties.My flight was supposed to leave out on Monday at,

like, 02: 16:06

00 and I checked in for my flight on Sunday, and about an hour later, I got a notification that my flight was canceled due to weather hazards or whatever. And so I'm at the playground with my little ones, and I get this notification that my flight is canceled. So I'm looking for alternatives. My next alternative was Tuesday, and I wouldn't get there till Tuesday at

05: 16:29

00 p.m. and by then the conference is, like, halfway over. So I was like, what am I doing? Like, I don't know what to do.

Thankfully, I did find an 08: 16:35

00 p.m. flight that night.So I just flew out that night, and I made it. I had all of Monday to relax and decompress from all the stress that went on the day before of, like, packing last minute and all of that. But that was really helpful, like, having the day before the conference starts to, like, relax in your hotel room. Like, I ordered room service and watched the office and worked for a little bit. Like, that was amazing. I was like, I want to do this more often, but it was just so nice to not have to go from traveling and then jump straight into networking into the conference, all of that stuff. So I would highly recommend traveling a day or two early, get some downtime before all the chaoticness of connecting and all that and learning to, and also, like, you buy yourself some time in case something happens with your flight or whatever, because there were a few people who just missed a conference in general because they weren't even able to, like, fly into Dallas because of the snowstorm. Oh, gosh. So, yeah, I would really recommend flying in a day or two early, but, yeah, that is my advice, travel a day or two early, decompress. Okay. That's smart for knowing, coming into the conference, and then you travel back home. Any advice for once you're back home after a conference? Oh, yeah. I took a lot of notes. Like, anytime I was talking to someone or when I was listening to, like, a keynote or whatever, I would take notes, and on my flight back home, I looked at all of my notes and kind of, like, categorized them into, like, okay, this is what I'm gonna work on. And, like, this is next.Because you come home with so many ideas, so many ideas, you come home with also, like, so many new connections. I need to follow up with this person and this, this and that. So while it's, like, fresh in your brain, like, really look at all of your notes and all of your to do items from the conference, and I want to say act on it while that fire is still there. But I think next time what I'm going to do, because the past two conferences I've gone to, I've left immediately after I took a flight back home and came home. But I think next time I'm going to stay, like, an extra day to, like, give myself more time to, like, really soak in, like, everything that I've learned and all the connections that I've made, but that's what I've done the past few times is, like, really look at all of my notes and then figure out where I'm going to go next with everything that I've, I've learned. Yeah, I could see that being a big thing for me where it's like, okay, what's actually going to happen? I just love how your brain works because, like, your business is called the systems RX. Like, it's just so organized and there's such a flow to it, and that's really great, especially for, I don't think we said this, like, while we've been recording, but we're both manifesting generators, and so we've got all of the ideas and we want to act on them, like, yesterday, and we need them to be done, like, this afternoon. And it can be a lot and there can be a lot of things that we just want done immediately, but having a plan and actually mapping that out, that sounds very, very wise, very strategic. And speaking of strategy, did you have any kind of like game plan or strategy going into any of the conferences that you've been to or any that are coming up? Yes. Yes, I do. Because do tell, these conferences aren't cheap per se. And you kind of like, think to yourself, like with coaching programs or with done for you services or like any investments that you make in your business, like, what is the return on investment that you're gonna get out of this thing? And the same thing with conferences, like, what am I looking to get out of this? And how will I know that I accomplished that with this conference that I'm going to, like I said, I did go for the connections, and the connections are a beautiful thing that happened at the conferences. But also, we're business owners. We're going there because we have motives, good motives, not bad motives. I know this one is so bad. We've got motives. But I looked at who was going to the conferences and, like, I studied the list of people going. I love when the hosts of the conference, like, either put together like a Facebook group or a community before the conference so you can get to know people that are going ahead of time. And so I typically look at that to see who's going. And from there I look at, okay, who are the people that could be really great referral partners for my business or affiliates for my digital products or just people that, like, I've been meaning to, like, connect with online, but, like, I don't know how to, you know, there's no connection. Yeah, and, like, you're really great at, like, going into someone's DM's and, like, you know, just sparking up that conversation and I don't think I'm that great. But, like, having that in person thing, especially if they are a speaker at the conference, it's so easy to just, like, after their talk, she'd be like, oh, I really love your talk. And, like, you know, building that connection there. So I really look at who's gonna be there and determining who would be, like, good people to make connections with. And also, like, looking at the presentations and, like, I put a little star next to, like, the ones that I really want to, like, pay attention to. That's my strategy for these conferences. I love it so much. And have you had anything pay off? Like, has it worked out for you and you don't have to reveal anything but like, has it worked out for you? Yeah, the first conference that I went to at make your mark live, I sounds so bad. I had my eyes. I think it's flattering. Like people knew that you were interested in them. I don't know if you've heard this from Jordan Gill before, but she has a tactic that she mentioned a while ago where she would look at who's going also like dress in the brand colors of the people that she wants to get noticed by. Oh my gosh, that's so smart. Yeah, I almost went that route. I did order something. So I really wanted to meet Ellen Yin at the first conference and I was like, oh, and I ordered this top that was like her brand color but it never got to me on time and so I never wore it. But I did ended up connecting with Ellen at a dinner one night and that was great. But like you can go that route if you'd like. I almost tried it, but it didn't work out to my advantage because I didn't get the order in time.But at the time I was really looking to get affiliates for my efficient emails database, which is an airtable database that helps you strategize, write and track all of your emails that you send out. And I looked at who was going and I found someone on the list that teaches email marketing. So I thought, what a perfect match. They teach email marketing. I have a system that helps people organize their emails. It's a match made in heaven.So I made a point during the conference to like, I did the brave thing and I just walked up to this person at the conference and just be like, hi, I'm so and so, I've been in your membership. I love what you do and like, I'm such a big fan. I just went total fangirl this person, and she was so flattered, it feels so sweet. And I connected with her and had lunch with her and her assistant there.And after the conference I followed up with her over email and then I pitched her my efficient emails database and told her, I really think this is something that the members in your email marketing membership would really benefit from. And she agreed and surprisingly said yes to being an affiliate. And it turned out to be a really amazing affiliate partnership that we're going to continue. And that is, yeah, so that first conference definitely paid off in just that one area alone. There were other like amazing relationships that came out of it too. But yeah, I would say that one was like a hit because I had my goal and I, I, that's the other thing, too, is, like, having to step out of your shell as an introvert to, like, yeah, you know, just shoot your shot. And I did it. I'm low key proud of myself for that, but, yeah, you should be high. Key proud of yourself. I don't even know what the opposite is of, like, low key. I think that there isn't one. Just be, like, loud and proud about. Because my boyfriend often says, like, oh, I'm low key, whatever. And I'm like, no, I'm high key. That's such an aside. But you should be very proud of yourself because that's a big deal. Yes. Yeah. And I know you've made friends because that was so fun. Like, I know Jordan. I had the virtual ticket for make your mark live in 2023, and it was so fun to actually, like, know people who were there. And I even coordinated some people, like, meeting, which is my favorite thing to do. It's so fun for me to, as an introvert, to be home and to, like, know this event is going on and have these two amazing people, and it's like, you have to meet this person and then they do, and it's just, like, so fun. I get to play. Like, I think I remembered you messaged me before I went. You're like, wait a minute, you need to meet. I think it was Kim Tradewell. Yes. And I was like, oh, yeah, I know her. We connected over a coffee channel and then we met in person. It was so cool. But yes, you were definitely trying to get people to meet up while you were at home. Yeah. Oh, I very much was, because there was you, I think, my friend Ashley Chanel. And there were like, I might even exaggerate. I think there were, like, ten people where I was like, oh, you have to meet this person. I was playing like, this sounds so wrong, but it's not how I mean it. I was playing, like, puppet master behind the scenes because sometimes, like, I joke that I am the Kevin bacon of the online marketing world, but, like, legit people. I know this person and you have this person, like, you gotta go meet. It's just. It's a lot of fun. We love it. I have too much fun with it. I love that you love it. It's like the best of everything because I get to introvert and be home, but also feel like I'm impacting people's lives out there. Yes. That is genius. I try. I try my best. Thank you. I mean, I know we're wrapping this up and you mentioned the efficient emails database. We will definitely have that linked below. I have it. I have not used it to the fullest capacity yet. So if anybody wants to, like, be my buddy on that, grab it below, message me, let me know. You got that? And then where else can people find you and connect with you and get in your bubble? Yes. Come find me on Instagram, where I share cute pictures of my babies and fun automation things that I'm cooking up in my business. And also funny things that my husband shares about the online space that he just doesn't understand. Like, I told him I was thinking of starting a membership, and he goes, you should call. It only funnels. You know, like onlyfans. And I just. No, no, no, no, no, no. I share things like that on Instagram. So please come and laugh with me on Instagram. Or you can find me on my website or join my email list where I share more, more personal stories there, too. But I also incorporate, like, systems and automation talk in there. But I try to make it fun. You do. You do it in such a nice way. And I've heard people tell me that about the SEO emails. So I'm like, we make things fun, Angela. Like, it's just a blast over here, right? Oh, my gosh. We make the not so sexy things fun, of course. And of course we do, because we're manifesting generators. I think we need to do a reel on this now. My brain is like, hanging with ideas. See, this is the problem. When you put two of us together, it's so not good. Oh, my gosh. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This was such a fun conversation. Thank you for having me. Of course. And, you know, people, make sure you check out the links below. All of Angela's links are going to be down there. And I'll see you next time.