Networking for Idiots

Networking is the most important skill in business. Coming from a small, mostly introverted family (myself included) with minimal finance connections, it definitely is something I need to work on.

What is the best way of networking in general for finding lateral IB analyst roles? 

1. Connect with people on Linkedin you share commonalities with?
2. Talk with the handful of banking friends I have for recommendations?
3. Recruiters? Had some hits, nothing materialized (thank you Corona)
4. Go to the expensive bars that bankers hangout at and spill a drink on one of them?
5. Or accept failure and give up?

Currently working in a valuation/TS group in a 2nd tier city (decent banking scene) and trying to hop into banking in the next year or so. My experiences are M&A related, test scores are great, grades are okay from semi-target school.

Addendum: do banks have some diversity stuff for lateral hires? (I'm borderline deaf)