Building Relationships the old school way

Remember those old-school networking events? You know the ones where you’d nervously rehearse your elevator pitch, shake a few hands, and then maybe—just maybe—get a coffee date out of it? I know, I can already see you cringing, but bear with me!

As a business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable these seemingly awkward interactions can be. In a world dominated by LinkedIn connections and Zoom calls, there’s something refreshingly authentic about face-to-face networking. It’s where genuine relationships are forged, and trust is built one handshake at a time.

Yes, you might feel a bit like a fish out of water at first. There’s that uncomfortable moment when you’re not sure if you should extend your hand or go for a wave, the inevitable name-forgetting, and of course, the challenge of trying to deliver your elevator pitch without sounding like a robot. But trust me, these experiences are golden for your business, whether you’re just starting out or have been around the block a few times.

Here’s the thing: no matter how established your business is, you can always benefit from adding a few more allies to your network. And the best way to do that? Get out there and meet people in the flesh. Old-school networking events might feel a bit vintage, but they’re a classic for a reason—they work.

So, where can you find these events? Here are five places to get plugged into, whether you’re looking locally or nationally:

Chamber of Commerce Meetings – Your local Chamber is a treasure trove of networking opportunities. They regularly host events that bring together business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals from various industries.

BNI (Business Network International) – With chapters all over the world, BNI is a structured networking organization that’s all about helping members increase their business through referrals. It’s a great way to meet like-minded professionals who are serious about networking.

CEO and other position-specific groups/trainings – These are my favorite as a CEO. Groups like EO, Vistage, Convene. While they are not technically there for you to network in, business happens here.

Industry-Specific Conferences and Trade Shows – These are perfect for finding networking events that cater directly to your business niche. Whether you’re in tech, healthcare, or retail, there’s a conference for you.

Build your own leads group – If you’re looking to make sure that everyone in the room could potentially refer you business, think about building a leads group yourself. For example, if you are a commercial furniture dealer, call up everyone that could potentially touch the customers you are looking to get in front of and invite them to a group that you are forming. Everyone wants more business, they will welcome the call.

Networking might seem like a bit of a throwback in this digital age, but there’s no substitute for the connections you make in person. So, polish up that elevator pitch, dust off your business cards, and dive in!

Here’s to building relationships the old-school way, one handshake at a time.

As always, if you need anything or if you want to go to a networking event together, you can always reach out! Shoot me an email at: Lindsey@theitcrowd.com.

Until next time!