{"id":2974,"date":"2019-09-09T14:18:33","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T14:18:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/?p=2974"},"modified":"2019-09-10T19:51:12","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T19:51:12","slug":"irving-washingtons-strategy-for-introverts-at-ona19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/09\/09\/irving-washingtons-strategy-for-introverts-at-ona19\/","title":{"rendered":"Irving Washington\u2019s strategy for introverts at ONA19"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i>Irving Washington, ONA Executive Director\/CEO, originally wrote this post in 2015. As it continues to be a popular and useful guide, each year we have refreshed it with new resources and tips specific to the year&#8217;s event and host city. For ONA19, we are also excited to share <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/09\/09\/samantha-raglands-guide-for-extroverts\/\">a companion guide for extroverts<\/a>\u00a0with solid advice from Samantha Ragland, ONA Local organizer and Women&#8217;s Leadership Accelerator alumnae. Samantha has attended our conference since 2014.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>ONA\u2019s annual conference has landed in New Orleans. What began as just a few hundred attendees to now 2,800 people, the conference is one of the most exciting and energetic journalism gatherings in the world.<\/p>\n<p>As a self-proclaimed introvert, I know that in large crowds we can be the life of the party or the quietest person in the room. (As a PSA to <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/09\/09\/samantha-raglands-guide-for-extroverts\/\">our extroverted friends<\/a>, introversion has nothing to do with shyness or social awkwardness\u00a0 \u2014 if I had a dime for every time someone doubted my introversion, I\u2019d be rich \u2014 but more to do with our response to stimulation and need for renewal.)<\/p>\n<p>Having clocked in at nearly 50 journalism conferences and nine ONA conferences, I feel pretty confident this strategy guide will help my #ONAIntroverts at ONA19.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Have a \u201cstart early\u201d strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Nothing is more overwhelming to an introvert than attending an event where you don\u2019t know anyone. Eliminate this by connecting now with attendees online. Follow conversations on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23ONA19&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=top\">#ONA19<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ona\">@ONA<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ONAConf?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\">@ONAConf<\/a>. Introduce yourself in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/697248997072120\/\">ONA19 Facebook group<\/a> and be sure to scan the attendees list for anyone you might want to reach out to before the conference (Tip: Check your inbox! We emailed everyone who registered as of Sept. 5 a full list of fellow attendees).<\/p>\n<p>New this year, we also have ONA19 social team member Mary Willson serving as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/online_news\/\">dedicated digital host on Instagram (@online_news)<\/a> \u2014 don&#8217;t hesitate to connect with her via our account to exchange tips and stories ahead of the conference.<\/p>\n\t<!-- Google Ad -->\n\t<div class=\"sponsor-ad\">\n\t\t<p>Special thanks to our <a href=\"\/sponsors\/\">ONA19 sponsors<\/a>, including:\n\t\t<div id='div-gpt-ad-1563570671210-0'>\n\t\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1563570671210-0'); });\n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h3><b>Have an overall conference strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>A common introverted procrastination technique is just to wing it. You\u2019re investing your time and money to attend, so spend some time thinking about how to make your experience the best. Do you want to learn a particular skill? Check out the conference schedule to find hands-on workshops. Want a new job? Visit the exhibit hall in the Napoleon Ballroom (3rd floor, Sheraton) to discover work opportunities and talk directly with potential employers.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Have a networking strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>I know. I know. The word \u201cnetworking\u201d alone makes introverts cringe. Not because we don\u2019t enjoy great people and conversations, but because we like to view our relationships as genuine and authentic. But ONA19 will have a ton of opportunities to develop real connections.<\/p>\n<p>You should definitely plan to attend the <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/22876102\/\">Opening Night Reception<\/a> at Generations Hall, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23529372\/\">Online Journalism Awards Ceremony<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23846398\/\">ONA Local Office Hours<\/a>. Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/08\/30\/where-to-find-your-neighbors-at-ona19\/\">ONA Local meetups<\/a> happening during the week to connect with digital journalism peers based where you live, and browse the <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/08\/29\/complete-guide-to-special-events-receptions-and-swag\/\">parties and special networking events<\/a> so you don&#8217;t miss the gatherings most relevant to you.<\/p>\n<p>Here are pro networking tips to keep in mind while you are at social events:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Get there early.<\/b> Yes, it can be awkward when there is no one there yet, but it\u2019s also the best time to meet folks. Plus, the perfect conversation starter is talking about getting there early.<\/li>\n<li><b>Act like the host.<\/b> This is perhaps the best advice I\u2019ve ever received. Hosts welcome, connect and make sure guests have a good time. You will make a ton of friends this way.<\/li>\n<li><b>Find the connectors.<\/b> Some people are naturals at this. Meet as many of them as you can. They will introduce you to all kinds of interesting people. Some well-known ONA connectors you can reach out to in advance are <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/webjournalist\">Robert Hernandez<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/benetwilson\">Ben\u00e9t Wilson,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/greglinch\">Greg Linch<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mjenkins\">Mandy Jenkins<\/a>. (Being the connectors they are, they all agreed to help my fellow introverts reading this post.) Blogger and author Tim Ferriss has a great <a href=\"http:\/\/fourhourworkweek.com\/2015\/08\/26\/how-to-build-a-world-class-network-in-record-time\/\">podcast on building a world-class network <\/a>from his experience at SXSW, which is perfect advice for ONA19 as well.<\/li>\n<li><b>Plan your stories<\/b><i>.<\/i> By now, you know the normal questions at these shindigs: Where are you from? What do you do? What do you think of the conference? One of the reasons introverts shine as speakers is that we take time to prepare. Plan engaging stories to these questions in advance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Have a session strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Networking isn\u2019t limited to social events. Here are some sessions that will help you keep meeting interesting people throughout the day.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Table Talks<\/b>: This series of participatory, topic-focused conversations will be a chance to meet colleagues who have similar interests. Introverts are the chattiest around topics we care about. Share your knowledge and expertise in these inspiring conversations. There are table talks sessions on <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23518343\/\">audience<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23518345\/\">leadership<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23518349\/\">revenue and and culture<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23518350\/\">storytelling<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23518351\/\">emerging tech and product<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/23966655\/\">reporting<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/sessions\/24247678\/\">women leaders in nonprofit media<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/midway\/\">The Midway<\/a>: This is the playground of journalism innovation and collaboration. From product launches to demos to hands-on session, the Midway is the place to hang out and meet groups showcasing emerging tools and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Have a recharge strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>You are not an extrovert. Say it with me again: You are not an extrovert. This is perhaps the single most important advice. If you overplan and attend every session and party, you will be drained, contrary to <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/09\/09\/samantha-raglands-guide-for-extroverts\/\">our extroverted friends<\/a>, who will only get more recharged with every event. Make sure to plan your breaks and rest. It\u2019s OK if you don\u2019t go to everything. Make sure you\u2019re at your best for the events you do attend.<\/p>\n<p>If your favorite way to recharge from conference activities is meandering somewhere new, explore our many guides to New Orleans for ideas \u2014 including a <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/08\/30\/for-when-you-need-a-break-a-french-quarter-walking-tour-to-interesting-sites\/\">quick route through the French Quarter<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/08\/20\/explore-new-orleans-outdoors-ona19\/\">outdoor activities<\/a>. The city has so much to offer for when you just need a break from the conference hotel!<\/p>\n<p>If all else fails, seek me out (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/irvwashington3\">@IrvWashington3<\/a>). I\u2019m not only an expert introvert, I\u2019m pretty knowledgeable about ONA19, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Irving Washington, ONA Executive Director\/CEO, originally wrote this post in 2015. As it continues to be a popular and useful guide, each year we have refreshed it with new resources and tips specific to the year&#8217;s event and host city. For ONA19, we are also excited to share a companion guide for extroverts\u00a0with solid advice [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1779,"featured_media":2975,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"start_time":0,"end_time":0,"moderators":[],"hashtag":[],"soundcloud":[],"scribble":[],"viafoura":[],"youtube":[],"vimeo":[],"facebook":[],"trint":[],"slideshare":[],"livestream":[],"resources":[],"video_embed":[],"first_name":"","last_name":"","title":"","organization":"","website":"","twitter":"","_sponsor_url":"","_sponsor_tagline":"","_sponsor_level":"","spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[117],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/17\/2019\/09\/ONA18-day-one-9563-e1568009253786.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Irving Washington\u2019s strategy for introverts at ONA19 &mdash; ONA19<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ona19.journalists.org\/2019\/09\/09\/irving-washingtons-strategy-for-introverts-at-ona19\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Irving Washington\u2019s strategy for introverts at ONA19 &mdash; ONA19\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Irving Washington, ONA Executive Director\/CEO, originally wrote this post in 2015. As it continues to be a popular and useful guide, each year we have refreshed it with new resources and tips specific to the year&#8217;s event and host city. 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