After two decades of being entrepreneurs, we’ve learned a thing or two about networking. The biggest lesson: networking is a lifestyle. Work it into your DNA so you’re connecting at all times—effortlessly and happily.

When you treat networking as a lifestyle, you don’t get anxious when you spot a stranger at a conference, when the phone (or a DM) pings, or when you’re waiting in a long line—or a Zoom waiting room.

What you see and feel is opportunity. Below are ten networking secrets that show you how to turn those moments into strong, mutually beneficial relationships.

Secret #1: Assume the burden of other people’s discomfort

At events, look around. You’ll see clusters of conversations—and you’ll also see folks sitting with a program, scrolling their phone, or looking “busy.” Many of them want to talk; they just don’t know how to start.

Be the person who goes first. A simple “Mind if I join you?” or “What brought you here today?” removes the pressure for them and often unlocks surprisingly valuable conversations.

  • Scan for solos (anyone standing alone, seated off to the side, or hovering near coffee). Approach with a warm opener.
  • Offer an easy on-ramp: “I’m grabbing water—want one?” or “I just heard a great point in that session.”
  • Adopt the “I go first” rule: you initiate, you introduce, you include others nearby.

Secret #2: Give—and expect nothing in return

Ask great networkers how they spend their time and you’ll hear the same thing: they help people. They visit classrooms, meet founders for coffee, share lessons learned, and help others avoid mistakes.

Adopt a give-first mindset. Have conversations constantly, knowing many people may never “repay” you—and that’s okay. Value has a way of circulating back over time.

  • Five-minute favors: share a template, a book/podcast recommendation, or a quick introduction.
  • Spot-and-serve: if someone mentions a roadblock, send one resource that directly addresses it.
  • Keep a running “Who I can help” note so you can respond quickly when needs pop up.

Secret #3: Be proud of who you are

Don’t have an MBA or a PhD? No big deal. Don’t hide your background. Credentials are optional; credibility is built—often through relentless hustle and consistent follow-through.

This is why we like to share stories of people like Alex Mangini, Doina Oncel, and Juan Chapparo—entrepreneurs we met at conferences. They talk openly about where they came from and where they’re going. Their stories build instant connection.

We try to be equally open when meeting people for the first time. If we never see them again, we still want them to feel like they know us.

  • Prepare a 20–30 second “anchor story” that shares your why, not just your title.
  • Own your edges: what makes your path different can be the reason people remember you.

Secret #4: Compliment early and often

In competitive spaces, it’s easy to feel discouraged when others win. Resist that impulse. Use their success as a reason to reach out and encourage them.

When we hear someone got a good break, we try to meet them and congratulate them. We may even run competing businesses—we don’t care. Great networking rises above envy.

  • Make compliments specific: “Your case study quantified impact clearly—loved the before/after.”
  • Turn praise into partnership: “If you ever share that framework on a webinar, I’d love to help host.”

You never know what kind of partnership or opportunity could unfold from a single positive message—and that’s the name of the game.

Secret #5: Look for common ground immediately

Before a call or event, do lightweight research. Your goal is to guide the conversation toward shared interests, so you never hit an awkward silence and you build an authentic bridge fast.

  • Create a two-minute prep sheet: check LinkedIn “About,” recent posts, company news, and any podcasts or articles.
  • Look for overlaps: mutual contacts, hometowns, schools, hobbies, favorite teams, or causes.
  • Use an opener that signals common ground: “I saw your post about remote onboarding—we struggled with that too.”

We try to leave each conversation with at least one personal connection. Common interests make that easy.

Secret #6: Tap your sphere of influence cautiously

As you make connections, treat the personal contact information you receive like gold.

What do we mean by that? Don’t bombard new contacts with emails the moment you’re back at your desk, and don’t call weekly to “chit-chat.” People are busy. They notice when you waste their time.

Reach out when you can offer clear value or relevance. If you can appeal to their self-interest—or their team’s goals—they’ll be glad to talk.

  • Good reasons to ping: a tailored intro, a relevant job lead, a resource that solves a stated problem, or an invite they’d actually want.
  • Keep it concise: headline the benefit in the first sentence; include one simple next step.

Secret #7: Don’t separate personal and professional selves

If you’re truly authentic, you don’t need to switch personas at the office, at home, or at events. That constant switching is exhausting and unnecessary.

Be honest, kind, and helpful everywhere. You’ll build trust faster and make stronger connections.

We meet people wherever we go. If we can’t help directly, we try to connect that person with someone who can. That’s why we search LinkedIn for complementary skill sets and attend events beyond our primary industry.

  • Maintain a “connector’s map”: a short list of people you can introduce across fields.
  • Respect boundaries: share only what’s appropriate to the context; protect others’ privacy when you make introductions.

Secret #8: Pull, never push

Networking is conversation—and great conversation is curiosity-led. Learn more about the other person before talking about yourself or your company.

Napoleon Hill told a story about attending a dinner party and being called “the most charming man” afterward—because he asked the hostess questions and kept the focus on her.

Earn the right to be heard. People don’t care what you do until they know you care about what they do.

  • Use a 70/30 split: 70% listening, 30% talking. Ask open prompts: “What are you building this quarter?” “What’s working for you right now?”
  • Have a go-to closer: “Is there anyone I can introduce you to?” or “What would make this event a win for you?”

Secret #9: Make social media work for your networking

If networking is a lifestyle, social media becomes a natural extension. Treat it as another way to participate in your community.

You don’t need to be everywhere. Start with LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). If you’re visual or consumer-facing, add Instagram. Creators and educators might also consider TikTok or YouTube. Niche communities thrive on Reddit, Discord, and Slack groups.

  • Quick plays: share one useful post weekly, comment thoughtfully on others’ work, and send one genuine DM of appreciation.
  • Use tools already in your pocket: the LinkedIn QR code at events, or a short link in your slide deck to invite connections.
  • Skip mass DMs. Personalize with one detail from their work so your outreach stands out.

Secret #10: Follow up with value—and track your relationships

Great first impressions fade without follow-through. Close the loop quickly and make the next step easy.

  • Within 24 hours: send a short note with one takeaway you enjoyed and any promised link or intro.
  • In 1–2 weeks: share a relevant resource or quick update (“That tool we discussed—here’s the tutorial I mentioned”).
  • Track lightly: add notes in your contacts app or CRM (how you met, interests, needs) and set a gentle reminder for 30–60 days. Quality over volume.
  • Make asks rare and clear. Lead with what’s in it for them; keep the action step simple.

Conclusion

We love people, we love meeting people, and we love helping people. That mindset—more than anything—has driven our success. If we hadn’t started networking early, we wouldn’t have many of the opportunities we enjoy today.

We struggled at first to get out of our comfort zones, just like you might now. But it gets easier. Start small: one warm introduction this week, one sincere compliment today, one helpful resource shared tomorrow. Do that consistently and the relationships—and results—compound.