The coffee shop networking trick that actually landed me a client

I spent months going to those awkward mixer events and got nothing, but last week I just sat at a shared table at a local roastery in Austin and started asking the guy next to me about his laptop sticker. Has anyone else had better luck with random casual spots over official networking meetups?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamiew5320d ago

Read a study that said 70% of deals come from casual conversations, not formal meetings. Makes sense to me, way less pressure at a coffee shop.

gibson.sarah20d ago

Remembered once I was at this coffee shop and this guy next to me was on his laptop, I thought he was just killing time. Turned out he was closing a deal with a vendor he'd never met in person before, just through a couple of chats over espresso. I almost asked him if I could interview him for a blog post I never wrote... but I figured that would be weird. Anyway, makes you wonder how many business cards actually get tossed in the trash after those stiff conference room meetings. Maybe the whole suit-and-briefcase vibe is just a show for people who don't know how to relax.

logan23620d ago

Maybe the whole suit-and-briefcase vibe is just a show for people who don't know how to relax" - yeah, that's definitely how I feel after sitting through a 2 hour meeting that could've been an email. Guess some folks just need an excuse to wear tight shoes.