I used to think networking events were just about handing out business cards

At an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce mixer last fall, I was talking to a local print shop owner. He said, 'I remember you, you gave me your card six months ago and I never heard from you again.' That was the tip-off. I realized I was collecting contacts instead of building actual relationships. I stopped bringing a stack of cards and started aiming for two or three genuine conversations per event. Has anyone else shifted their approach after a moment like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

carter.laura29d agoTop Commenter

My old boss made us bring a whole box of cards to every event. It felt like a numbers game, just trying to hand out the most. That print shop owner story hits home. I had a similar wake up call when someone I met actually followed up and I had zero memory of them. Now I go in hoping for one good talk, not a pile of cards. Quality over quantity is a real thing.

davis.adam29d ago

Exactly. I just write a note on their card right after.

hayden_nelson8522d ago

Remember when we all thought the goal was to collect as many cards as possible? I was totally in that camp. But reading what carter.laura said about having no memory of someone who followed up, that was a huge wake up call for me too. It feels so much better to actually connect with one person than to just be a card collector. Now I try to write a few notes about our talk right on the back of their card, like what they do or a joke we shared. It makes the whole thing feel real, not just a chore.

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