Went to a tech meetup in Denver and saw something that made me rethink networking

I was at the Denver Startup Week mixer last Thursday and noticed the most successful people weren't just handing out cards. They were asking specific questions about other people's projects and offering one small, useful idea on the spot. In my experience, that's way better than just saying 'let's connect'. Has anyone else tried this approach and seen better results?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael80311d ago

That Denver mixer sounds like a lot of pressure. Most people just want a free drink and to not talk shop all night. Offering ideas on the spot feels like a performance review.

max_schmidt7711d ago

They expect people to offer ideas on the spot? That's wild, @michael803. Mixers should be for relaxing, not giving a presentation. No wonder it feels like a performance review, lmao.

taylor.brooke11d ago

Totally get where you're coming from, I used to feel the same way about keeping things casual. Seeing that approach in Denver made me realize a small, specific idea isn't a big ask, it's just showing you actually listened. It turns a forgettable chat into a real connection because you gave someone a helpful thought instead of just taking their card. The pressure is low if the idea is just a simple suggestion from your own experience.