We've all heard the saying, 'Your network is your net worth.' But let's be honest—how does talking to people you barely know actually help your business or career?
For many entrepreneurs, networking can feel awkward—especially if you’re not naturally outgoing. The idea of walking up to strangers and starting a conversation? Ugh.
The good news is that networking isn’t just for social butterflies. Anyone, including you, can learn how to network successfully and feel comfortable in the process.
In this article, we'll share some simple tips to help you build connections and use your network to grow your business and advance your career.
Let's kick things off by breaking down what makes networking so valuable.
Networking can have a positive impact on your career—and if you run a business, it can make all the difference.
Even if you’re still in university, that’s the perfect time to get into it. Why? Because networking can be your ticket to landing your first job!
The great thing is that networking is relatively low-risk.
Worst case? You learn something new.
Best case? It opens up countless opportunities.
Networking can help you:
There’s a ton of research proving how effective networking can be. For example, Chief did a study and found that over 80% of women leaders at the manager level and above use networking to hit big career milestones like joining a board (90%), breaking into the C-suite (84%), and scoring higher-paying jobs (81%).
Another survey by LinkedIn found that 73% of people were hired because of a personal connection, with 70% knowing someone inside the company. It just goes to show—your network can be one of your greatest assets, giving you access to opportunities and support you wouldn’t have otherwise.
We all grew up hearing, "Don’t talk to strangers," but now we're adults, and it's kind of funny because we need to talk to strangers to grow our businesses or advance our careers.
So how do we actually talk to strangers, let alone network with them? The truth is, you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to network with just about anyone.
The key is to focus on small but meaningful interactions. Maybe meet up with someone for coffee? Or send a LinkedIn message? Whatever feels comfortable to you, go for it! The worst that can happen is that they’ll say no.
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A content writing business owner, Egle Rackauskaite, shared her two cents on how to network with people if you’re an introvert: “The best way to network as an introvert is to find what works for you. If big events and swapping business cards make your stomach churn, skip them. You can network by connecting with people on LinkedIn, Reddit, Quora, or Facebook, attending small local meetups, and focusing on building relationships rather than hitting numbers.” |
So, you know you need to network, but where do you start?
If you’ve never done much of it, we can all agree it can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to help you get started.
Before you jump in, take a second to think about your goals. Are you trying to find new clients? Meet potential business partners? Get advice from someone experienced in your industry?
When you know what you want, it’s easier to figure out who to talk to and where to spend your time.
Not all networking happens in stuffy conference rooms. In fact, you can connect with people in all kinds of places. Some options to explore:
Once you’ve identified where to find the right people, it’s time to take action and reach out. Here’s how to navigate different networking settings:
If you’re at a conference or networking event, be ready to strike up a face-to-face conversation with a stranger. A great icebreaker is simply asking, “How did you hear about this event?” or “What brought you here today?” Then, let the conversation naturally flow from there.
When you're talking to someone in person, be mindful of your body language. Make eye contact, smile, and keep an open posture. People are naturally drawn to those who seem approachable and friendly.
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💡Tip: Keep things light and don’t rush to pitch your business or services. Focus on making a genuine connection first. |
Also, show real interest in what the other person has to say. Ask open-ended questions like, 'What excites you most about your work?' or 'What challenges are you facing right now?' This helps you find common ground and makes networking a lot more enjoyable.
Want to simplify it even further? Aim to be interested, not interesting.
Before wrapping up, swap contact info, and make sure to follow up within 24 hours to keep the momentum alive.
I personally think LinkedIn is an excellent platform to connect with people in your industry. It’s great for networking and landing new work opportunities.
However, many people do it wrong. They send a generic “Let’s connect” message or simply send a connection request with no explanation.
You see, some people are very selective about who they accept as connections. That’s why you need to put a bit of effort into your outreach messages.
The first rule is to personalize your connection request. Start with a greeting, addressing the person by name, followed by mentioning something specific about their work, achievements, or even a recent post.
Once they connect with you, send a quick follow-up message. Keep it friendly but also give them a reason to engage further. For instance:
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“Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on [specific topic]. If you’re open to it, I’d love to hear more about your experience with [related subject]. Let me know if you’d be up for a quick chat!” |
Another effective networking strategy on LinkedIn is to ask for advice or insights. People tend to respond positively when you seek their opinion on something they’re passionate about.
Here’s what to say in your message:
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“Hey [Name], I’m currently exploring [topic/industry], and I noticed your impressive experience in [their area of expertise]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [specific challenge or topic]. Open to chat about it at some point this week?” |
You can also directly pitch your product, like in the example below:
Of course, you don't want to pressure anyone into buying from you—that’s a big no-no in networking!
But if you're developing a product or offering a service that needs testing or first-hand feedback, LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with people. You never know, they might even become your customers in the future.
Emails are still a great way to make connections. Especially when you want to reach out in a more formal or professional context.
Copy this simple networking email template and customize it as you see fit:
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Subject Line : [Common Ground] + [Why You’re Reaching Out] Hi [Name],
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Make sure to personalize your emails based on their work or mutual connections. Plus, in your meeting invitation email, don’t forget to include a scheduling link (more on these below) to make it easy for them to find a convenient time to chat.
Most networking happens online these days. And usually, it all results in a video call.
The tricky part? Trying to coordinate schedules with someone who’s probably super busy and might even be in a different time zone. That’s where scheduling links come in handy.
A tool like YouCanBookMe lets you send over a meeting scheduling link so the other person can pick a time that works for them based on your availability.
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💡 Pro Tip: Plug your scheduling link into your outreach email, LinkedIn message, or even your email signature. |
With YouCanBookMe, you can set up different meeting types, like a 15-minute intro call for a quick chat, a 30-minute session for deeper discussions, or a one-hour call for longer conversations. The best part? The tool sends reminders too—because let’s be honest, it’s easy to forget these meetings sometimes.
Alright, so you’ve landed a networking meeting—maybe it’s a coffee date, a Zoom call, or you’re gearing up to meet someone at an event.
Now comes the part that can feel a little nerve-wracking: the actual conversation. But don’t sweat it! With a bit of prep, you’ll feel way more confident walking in (or logging on 😎).
🌟 Here are our top networking tips:
Most importantly, keep it chill and enjoy the conversation. This isn’t a job interview. Just you talking to another human. You’ve got this! 💪
Networking is a skill that takes practice. At first, it may feel uncomfortable, but the more you do it, the better you become.
College is a great place to start building those connections (and developing the skill of networking). So, if you're an academic or career advisor, it’s a good idea to share networking tips with your students during group advising sessions.
If your students say something like, 'Networking? I don’t really need that right now,' remind them how valuable networking can be in finding a job in the future.
Here’s a checklist that you can share with your students after career advising sessions (printable download below):
Networking Checklist For StudentsKnow what you want out of networking: Looking for an internship? Need a mentor? Trying to figure out your career path? Having a clear goal makes networking way more effective—and less awkward. Polish up your LinkedIn profile: Think of LinkedIn as your online business card. Make it shine! This is your space to connect with pros, alumni, and classmates who can help you along the way. Become a pro at researching contacts: Finding the right people is key. Whether it’s alumni from your school or people already working in your dream industry, doing some research before you reach out means you can optimize your outreach email (and hopefully get an answer!) Have a few conversation starters ready: Networking can feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep some go-to openers handy for events or emails, and you’ll feel more confident breaking the ice. Go to your school’s career events: Career fairs, networking events, and panels are great for meeting professionals and getting comfortable with networking in a low-pressure environment. Always follow up: After a good conversation, send a thank-you message or connect with the person on LinkedIn. |
Want to give this checklist to students as a handout? We've got you covered!
And there it is—your playbook for effective networking to help you get started and grow your business. Networking isn’t rocket science, but it does require action!
Next steps?
And remember, the connections you build today could unlock your next big opportunity tomorrow.