Shy and introverted people are actually at an advantage when it comes to networking. They may not go back home from a conference having collected a hundred cards, but having had a few deep conversations. These conversations form the basis of relationships nurtured over time.An authentic relationship is the basis of any network we build. It is an intangible yet accurate measure of your network. It is not about whose mobile phone you can call, it is about who will call you. When I thought about what made me feel that sense of comfort with the person I'd met at the conference, the answer was clear. We shared a passion for social media and the way it was evolving. The relationship seemed to effortlessly span the virtual world and the real.