Ask HN: How to nagivate tech conference alone

The easiest way to get started is look around for others by themselves, then walk over and say hi. Realize they're likely feeling similar to you.

Every time you sit down for a talk, challenge yourself to sit near someone and introduce yourself. At lunch, find an empty seat at a busy table. As you do this, you'll see the people you met earlier and will feel more confident.

Also ask people if they know if anyone's gathering afterward. Nearly everyone will either invite you, tell you what they know, or be interested in doing something after too.

> as an introvert and shy person, going outside is very hard.

I’m introverted and shy and I go outside every day. I know it’s hard and I do it anyway because I believe the value of doing it is worth the effort.

> any tips on how to meet people, learn from them.

You are not going to like this answer because you already know it.

Go up to people and say hello, introduce yourself, and ask them a question about themselves. Get their contact information and follow up with them. If anyone asks you to do something with them (like dinner or coffee or whatever), say yes.

At some point you’ll meet an extrovert who will likely be willing and able to facilitate more of these connections for you.

If you are not feeling confident in approaching strangers to start conversations, you might be tempted to start every conversation with something like, “Hi. I don’t know anybody here and I was hoping to …”. It’s okay to be thinking that but skip over all those words as you speak and just say something like, “Hi! Are you enjoying the conference so far?” You will (usually) get an immediately warm and polite response. If you like the person, keep chatting. If it isn’t, wish them well and keep moving.

When I first started doing this, I found it very hard for similar reasons as you. What helped for me was to adopt the mindset of "playing a role" when doing it -- that the person shaking hands and meeting people wasn't me, it was a character. It really was me, of course. I didn't adopt a different personality. I'm just talking about taking an internal mental stance, a little self-deception.

This wasn't my idea, it came from the fact that so many actors on screen and stage are very introverted, but they don't they don't feel it so much when they're acting because the person on the stage isn't them anymore, it's the character.

When you first arrive, look around the room, to get a scope of what is where and what (in a general sense) groups there are.

Find people to talk with. Many groups are not pre defined, and are more random. A group of 2 stay away from, as they are having a conversation. Find some group of 3 or more. Walk up, await the person talking to pause and look at you. Now the hard part Hand out to the person who was talking, and introduce yourself.

Of course if getting involved is too tough, then just listen and smile. Smile, Smile. You are never dressed without a smile.