I Stopped Networking and You Should Too
There Are Better Ways to Meet People
Join Me Today at My Substack Chat
I’m so excited to host my first Substack Chat today. I’ll be answering your questions about “Monetizing Your Online Brand” at 10:00 am MTN/12:00 pm EST. Looking forward to hanging out. Can’t make it for the chat and would like to book a coaching call because you’re working through how to move forward with a monetization strategy? Book a 90 minute coaching session here.
A Conversation With My Mom…
About Making Connections
My mom and I were having one of our deeply meta conversations about people a few weeks ago. We were talking about how you have to be careful about how you treat people because you never know when you’ll meet them again.
Let me back up, my mom and I were heading to this cute bakery on the other side of town for my Denver focused website “Square State Colorado” I like to review spots and this one was high on my list. I often will bring my mom so that we can spend time together and she can be guaranteed to dislike most places we go to. If it has an industrial aesthetic, isn’t diverse enough or the service is bad…she won’t like it.
Anywho…
We arrive at the shop and working behind the counter was one of my favorite baristas who used to work at a shop in my neighborhood in the years after COVID. That shop eventually closed and we lost track of one another.
I was so happy to see her!
It was a fantastic experience, the food was great and we even got treated to extra goodies.
This happens to me all the time.
And my ability to make great connections regardless of where I’m at is part of the reason why I attend very few traditional networking events.
Affiliate Disclosure
“In order for me to support this newsletter, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note: As an Amazon Associate I may earn income from qualifying purchases that you may make if you interact with an Amazon affiliate link associated with Creators Getting Paid”
Many Humans Are Lonely
I’ll never forget the COVID lockdowns in my town and being in my home, basically alone for a year. Thank God I lived in a triplex and the type of neighborhood that I do-next to a park and some great coffee shops that had patio seating.
Despite that, by the end of that year I was lonely. It was so hard and then the world slowly began opening up. We’d connected with one another online and those connections were made over shared interests, focus and angst.
Yes, some of the people I met were folks that I could eventually sell products, goods and services to but ultimately I just wanted to geek out with them about the things we loved.
I’ve randomly met the following people:
Vice President of a global outdoor apparel and equipment company
Local business owners
Founders of amazing communities such as the Black Podcasters/Association/BIPOC Podcast Creators
Directors of Non-Profits
I’ve met these fun and interesting people out in the world while I’m living my life and they’re living theirs. Sometimes at events, a lot of times just in random spaces. What I’m struck by is that when I people we don’t talk “business” first. Instead we talk about:
The weather-Why is it 100+ degrees for a week in Denver?!!
What people have been doing-I love it when people share what they’re up to. And folks love being heard.
What are the best events to attend around town.
Where did you buy that…(whatever it was)
Typically, we hangout and get to know each other before we talk about work. Why? Because people work with, buy and share people that they know.
And we truly need and are looking for deeper connections with one another.
How I’m Meeting People
I know a lot of people and years ago I made the decision to stop attending formal networking experiences as the primary way I met people as an entrepreneur and professional.
In fact, recently I even stopped attending conferences due to general fatigue. I haven’t attended a conference or business related event since October 2024.
Despite that I am still connecting with incredible people, building my brand and meeting amazing people.
Why I Don’t Like Formal Networking
Transactional Vibe-I don’t love how there’s this underlying feeling that something is expected from me in exchange for the connection that we made at a business networking event.
Too formal-In a past life I was a sorority girl and a debutante. I’m 100% capable of dressing up and doing “the thang” but I want to dress up because I want to vs. because I have to.
Extroverts get overly excited-I’m an extrovert and I’ve observed that in these spaces extroverts get amped up and can take over the experience unintentionally.
Introverts are often energetically misaligned-In formal spaces where you have to be “on” I find formal networking draining as an extrovert especially post COVID.
And then what? You meet people in this awkwardly formal space and it feels like we have to work with each other afterwards. But it’s often said that people work with who they know. The reality is I don’t know you enough to work with you.
How To Meet People Without (Formal) Networking
#1-Lean into what you enjoy doing-I attend fun local events here in town. Here are some examples do note that they are specific to the region that I live in.
Meetups-Hiking, camping, skiing, etc.
Dance classes
Volunteering
#2-As creators-Connect authentically with other creators. Don’t expect anything from other people. Be helpful and keep it moving.
Share opportunities such as grants, scholarships and events coming to their area.
Offer scholarships for the work that you charge for.
#3-Host In-Person events-I missed hosting in-person events but wanted them to be approachable and fun for me and the attendees.
Eventbrite or Facebook-I plan on hosting events using Eventbrite once or twice a month around town. You can literally post those events for free or charge a fee, find a place to meet and be in community with new people.
Meetup(dot)com-Hosting a regular Meetup group is a great way to build connection in your town and get known for something. I’ve event attended Meetups in other countries.
#4-Host Online or Virtual Events-I’m hosting my first Substack chat on July 9, 2024 at 10:00 am MTN/12:00 pm EST. I’m really looking forward to it and I think it’s a great way to meet new people, help folks out and share what I’m working on.
#5-Be the person you want to meet-Are you approachable? Friendly? Kind? Do you share helpful tips and information with people when they ask? This week I’m sharing how my friend Maddy Osman and I met at a random conference in Chicago that was a bit of a mess. There were only 5 people at the event. I’d flown out to speak at it. Yep, I was shocked. But, Maddy and I became friends and she now lives in Denver with her husband and baby (years later!) She’s also called “The Blogsmith” and runs and agency and has written a best selling book. None of those projects (or her baby) existed when I met her randomly at that even when she was living in Chicago.
Bonus-Join a Mastermind
I’ve had the good fortune to be a member of a couple of different mastermind groups for the past 10 years. They are a key part of how I’ve connected with other online creators doing similar work to mine. I’ve also developed some amazing lifelong friendships with other mastermind members. Finally, and most importantly, my masterminds have given me tips and strategies that have helped me better monetize my work.
For the past 8 months I’ve worked on a test run of a hybrid mastermind/group coaching program that will go “live” in January called The Mint Collective which is designed for women of color in the online entrepreneurship space. If you would like to stay in the loop and learn more before it goes “live” sign up here.
Meet new people who are aligned with your goals
Get feedback about the different ways you’re looking to make money within your business.
Learn how to navigate around the gatekeepers.
Start Your Own Mastermind
You could also start your own mastermind. Reach out to a few people that you’re aligned with, make the meeting cadence doable and focus on the overall intent of the mastermind that you would like to be a part of. One thing to I do want bring up is that each mastermind is for a specific moment of time. Your friendships should last longer than you mastermind. You should be shifting to different masterminds as your expertise grows and network changes.
Become a Paying Community Member Today
A paid subscription gives you access to the following:
📹 Pre-recorded and live-conversations with content creators who have grown online brands in thoughtful and empathetic ways.
🧠 🏛Pre-recorded or live-workshops on different topics related to monetizing an online brand. Free and paid workshops. Discounts on paid workshops are offered to paid subscribers
🙍🏿♀️ Zoom and In-person Q & A’s and meet and greets with Michelle and the Creators Getting Paid Community
7 Additional Networking Ideas
Need more ideas on how to meet people without attending formal networking events? I’ve shared 7 additional ideas for paying subscribers and a bonus idea (total of 8) I also share how I now have a radio show (serious!) Because I met someone randomly out in the world.