The Power of Networking: Building Meaningful Business Relationships

I used to think networking was nothing more than a room full of people tossing business cards around. You shake a few hands, smile for a few minutes and walk away with a pocket full of names you never plan to call. For years that’s what networking felt like. Shallow, forced and what seemed like a waste of time.

Then came a moment that changed my perspective.

Many years ago I was working for a company where I was on the road every week and only home on weekends. I got pretty desperate to find another place so I could work close to home which would allow me to be home every night. One weekend I went through the contacts in my phone to see who I could call upon to find out if they knew any companies that were hiring. One of my contacts did know of someone and it ended up I did get a job at that startup.

By networking you can do many things. Just one of those things is finding employment.

Networking isn’t about the number of cards collected or names stored in a contact list. It is about building relationships. Real, meaningful connections.

Why Networking Really Matters

If you’re an entrepreneur, networking is not optional. It’s not something you do when you have free time. It’s essential to the health and growth of your business.

First, networking opens doors you cannot open on your own. A genuine connection can introduce you to partners, mentors or clients you never would have met otherwise.

Second, networking provides support. Being in business can feel lonely. Finding people who understand your struggles, who’ve been where you are and who can encourage you, that’s worth more than another card in your wallet.

Third, networking helps you learn. The fastest way to grow is not by making every mistake yourself. It’s by learning from the wins and losses of others.

But to get these benefits, you have to change your approach. You can’t treat networking like a transaction.

Shifting the Mindset

Most people walk into a networking event with one thought, “What can I get out of this?” But the truth is, people are drawn to those who give, not those who take.

Think of networking like planting seeds. Some seeds take root quickly, others take years. You don’t control which ones grow, but if you keep planting and watering, eventually the harvest comes. That’s how meaningful business relationships are built through time, consistency and sincerity.

The Three Pillars of Networking

When I think back on the relationships that have mattered most in my career, three things always stand out: preparation, engagement and follow-up.

First, preparation. If you go into an event or a meeting without knowing what you’re looking for, you’ll waste time. Do you want to meet a mentor? A collaborator? A potential client? Once you know, do your homework. Learn about the people that will be attending and those that you want to connect with so you can approach them with confidence.

Second, engagement. When you meet someone, focus on them. Ask questions that you have thought through and really listen. Always remember to listen more and talk less. Sometimes the less you speak, the more the other person will contribute to the conversation. If you make someone feel heard, you’ll be remembered long after the event is over.

Third, follow-up. A great conversation doesn’t mean much if it ends when you walk out the door. Send a short note, share a resource or set up a time to reconnect. Maybe even before you leave the event, set up that time. Relationships don’t grow without care and follow-up is the water that keeps them alive.

Practical Ways to Build Your Network

Networking doesn’t just happen at business mixers or conferences. Opportunities are everywhere. If you pay close attention you will find more opportunities than you expected. You may meet someone standing in line at the grocery store or you may find out at a family reunion that one of your relatives knows someone that can be of assistance to you in your business endeavor. Always stay attentive to who you are speaking to and never under estimate them.

Attend industry events, but go with a plan. Talk to fewer people and go deeper rather than trying to meet everyone in the room.

Leverage online platforms like LinkedIn, but don’t just send connection requests. Personalize them. Mention something specific so they know you’re serious about the relationship.

Join professional associations or local business groups. The consistency of showing up over time builds trust. People will remember you.

Reconnect with people you already know. Some of the best opportunities come from former colleagues or clients who already trust you.

When you find a mentor or someone you want to learn from be respectful of their time. Show them you are serious. Even if they don’t become your mentor, you might still build a meaningful relationship.

Overcoming the Fear

I get it, networking can be uncomfortable. Walking into a room full of strangers can feel like the first day at a new school. But here’s the thing, most people in that room feel the same way. Plus, that is the only way you will grow as a person. By putting yourself “out there” and doing something that is outside of your comfort zone may make you feel uncomfortable. But if you let your confidence show through, you will be able to do more than you thought possible.

Start small. Have one good conversation. Ask one meaningful question. That’s it. Don’t worry about working the room. Just focus on being authentic. Maybe you go in with a goal of only speaking to two people. Maybe it will lead to three or more or maybe you will spend your whole evening speaking to those two people and creating a great relationship. Either way, you can call it a success.

Don’t forget consistency. One conversation doesn’t build a relationship. Keep showing up. Keep giving. Over time, those small steps turn into deep, lasting connections.

The Conversation That Changed Everything

There was a time I thought networking was a waste of time. You’ve probably been there too. Standing in a room full of strangers, business cards flying around, polite smiles that don’t mean much. I’d leave with a pocket full of names I’d never call.

But one Saturday years ago, I sat at my kitchen table with my phone in my hand. I was desperate. I’d been working on the road week after week, gone Monday through Friday and only home on weekends. I was tired. I wanted to be home every night with my family, not just two days out of the week.

That morning I decided to scroll through the contacts on my phone, one by one. Maybe, just maybe someone knew of an opportunity close to home. I started making calls. Most went to voicemail. A few people wished me luck but had nothing to offer. Then I hit one name, someone I hadn’t spoken to in a while.

We talked and as luck, or maybe fate, would have it, he did know of a company looking for someone. A startup. A place close to home. One conversation turned into an interview, the interview turned into a job and the job turned into exactly the change I was looking for.

Networking isn’t about collecting cards or racking up names in your contacts of gaining LinkedIn connections. It’s about building relationships. Real ones. Relationships that can open doors you could never push open on your own. Sometimes it happens at a conference. Sometimes it happens in a grocery store line and sometimes, it happens when you scroll through your phone and make a call.

Networking may feel shallow if you treat it like a transaction. But when you treat it as a connection, when you give, when you listen, when you follow up, you’ll find it has the power to change your business, your career and even your life.