The Tuesday I overheard someone say networking is just 'handing out business cards'

I was grabbing coffee near the Galleria last week and heard this guy tell his friend that networking events are a waste because all people do is shove cards at you. Made me think about how many folks probably write off whole meetups because of one bad experience. Has anyone here actually landed a solid gig or referral just from a casual conversation at a Houston event?

3 comments

3 Comments

alext5211d ago

Skip the formal events honestly. I've gotten more work from just chatting someone up at a coffee shop or con than any actual networking mixer. Grab a drink, ask what they're working on, see if it clicks.

andrew_baker911d ago

alext52 is right on the money. Formal events are a waste of time for actually getting work. People are on guard at those mixers, it's all fake smiles and elevator pitches. You get way more real talk when you just bump into someone naturally. The whole "what are you working on" question opens up actual conversations. Then you can figure out quick if you can help each other out. That's how real deals start, not from some scheduled handshake session.

river_thompson11d ago

Yeah the fake smiles kill it for me every time. Ran into a guy at a laundromat once and we ended up trading consulting leads after five minutes. No business cards, just two people waiting on dryers. That kind of stuff never happens at a hotel ballroom with name tags and lukewarm coffee.