Early in my career I went to every networking event I could find. Meetups. Happy hours. Anywhere I could go to help grow the business.
It was a wide net approach. Over time I realized something. The strongest opportunities usually come from more intentional relationships.
Quantity vs. Quality
When you're starting out, showing up everywhere feels like the right move. And honestly, it makes sense. You don't know where the best connections will come from yet.
But here's the thing. Not all networking is created equal. The random encounters at crowded events rarely turn into anything meaningful. It's the smaller, more focused interactions that actually move the needle.
Intentional Relationships
The strongest opportunities come from a different approach:
- Smaller groups
- Curated introductions
- Conversations with people you actually want to know better
Less randomness. More intention. That's where the real value lives. When you're building strategic relationships, you're investing your time wisely instead of spreading yourself thin.
The Shift
This doesn't mean you should never attend events or meet new people. It means being selective about where you spend your energy. Focus on the connections that align with your goals and values.
The people you actually want to know better? Those are the ones worth pursuing. And that intentionality is something that applies beyond networking. It's the same mindset you need when checking in with your business partners or nurturing any professional relationship.
Final Thoughts
Stop casting a wide net and hoping for the best. Focus on smaller groups, curated introductions, and conversations that actually matter to you.
Less randomness. More intention. That's how you build relationships that lead to real opportunities.
Think about your current networking approach. Where can you be more intentional?