If ‘networking’ feels like speed dating… you’re doing it wrong.

Ever feel like networking is just glorified speed dating, with less flirting and more awkward small talk? Been there.

But we all know that the best clients and collabs don’t come from the people you meet once. 

They come from the people you show up for, week after week, always providing value.

Play the Long Game

I joined a LinkedIn networking group over a year ago, and honestly? At first, I felt like the new kid at the grown-up table. 

My business wasn’t huge, my network was small, and I wasn’t sure I had much to contribute. 

But I kept showing up.
Every single week. 

I booked virtual coffees, asked how I could help, began to make introductions, and provided my own expertise when asked, even when there was nothing in it for me.

Fast forward: after a 8 months of weekly meetings, the chapter president and I started working together. He became my go-to webinar producer, helping me run the tech behind the scenes so I could focus on teaching. 

We built a great rhythm, and over time, he got a front-row seat to how I showed up consistently, how I taught, and how I supported others in the group. 

Because of that trust, and yes, my dazzling personality 😉, he recommended me to a connection to lead a virtual workshop that could turn into a very profitable recurring revenue source. 

It was a high-ticket, massive impact, kind of opportunity that perfectly aligned with my shift into teaching AI to business owners. 

And it all started with one weekly Zoom call that I rarely missed and the value I provided every week.

It took a year. But that one connection, built on trust and consistency, is now opening doors I didn’t even know existed.

Relationship ROI

Networking isn’t about the dopamine hit of collecting business cards or pitching to strangers. 

It’s about building Relationship ROI.

Showing up, giving value, asking how you can support someone else’s success, and doing it without expecting an immediate return.

If your networking feels gross, transactional, or exhausting, you might be in the wrong room or showing up with the wrong mindset.

The best connectors? 

They’re matchmakers, not salespeople. They treat relationships like investments, not transactions.

And while it may not pay off tomorrow, it builds a reputation that will cash out when it counts.

So if you’re walking into every Zoom call thinking “Will I get a client today?” you’re already missing the point. 

The real wins come when people know you, trust you, and remember you when an opportunity lands in their lap.

This Week’s Challenge: Give First, Then Ask

Book as many virtual coffee chats as your calendar can handle over the next three weeks. ‘

No agenda. No pitch. 

Just show up and ask:

“How can I help you?”
“Who can I introduce you to?”
“Who’s the most interesting person you know that I should meet?”

Rinse, repeat, and let the long game do its thing.

Remember, relationship-building is a slow drip, not an espresso shot.

Thanks for reading. Keep showing up, keep taking the next step, because the caffeine is strong… and so are you. 

PS: Want in on the good rooms? I’m not gatekeeping. If you’re looking for a networking group that’s not just a pitch fest with coffee, hit me up. I have a few groups I absolutely love and I’ll point you toward the rooms where real conversations (and real relationships) happen.