You’re Not Networking. You’re Wishful Thinking.
by Geoff Shepherd, Feb 03
People leave work, travel across town (often much further) and sometimes even book a hotel to be at networking events.
And yet, many of these people have no real plan for how to make it count.
Since founding The Yorkshire Mafia and Silicon Yorkshire, I’ve created events that have attracted over 250,000 attendees. I’ve attended events across the UK and beyond. And, in and amongst the people who get it, I see the same thing over and over.
Energy Vampires.
Keen to talk, but only about themselves. They take up time, download their story onto you, never ask a meaningful question, and then walk off to find the next victim.
Sharks
People hunting for an instant deal. They want sales, insights, connections, or a shortcut, without offering anything in return. You get quickly weighed, measured and dismissed. Unless they smell blood in the water.
Chatterboxes
People who mistake talking for networking. They stay for ages, try to speak to as many people as possible, then disappear. No follow-up. No connection. No next step. Just air.
The Heavy Drinkers
They’re just there for a good time.
They’re more interested in the bar.
The Ghosts
They show up, hover awkwardly, barely speak to anyone – and then slip out unnoticed. They might even complain later that it “wasn’t the right crowd.” These people probably just need looking after a bit.
The Time-Wasters
They aren’t serious about business. They’re there because they feel they should be, not because they have a purpose.
A lot of people’s “networking strategy” boils down to this:
Turn up
Hope something good happens
That’s not networking.
That’s wishful thinking.
âś… How to Actually Make Networking Work
1. Set clear goals. If you don’t know why you’re there, you’re wasting your time.
2. Engage properly. If you don’t add value, you’re wasting opportunities.
3. Follow up. If you don’t, why did you even go?
Most events aren’t a waste of time. People just waste the opportunity.
