Skip the networking events, try coffee chats instead

I spent two years going to every industry mixer in Austin thinking that was the only way to meet people. Handed out maybe 50 business cards and got zero real leads. Then I started sending cold LinkedIn messages asking for 15 minute coffee chats with people one level above me. Landed three solid job referrals in a month. Has anyone else found a better return on one on one meetings over those big room events?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse9942mo ago

Wait, is this me from three years ago? Cause I was totally that guy who swore by networking events (you know, thinking quantity over quality). But you're right, I went to like 20 events in 2022 and got nothing but awkward small talk and hangovers. A buddy of mine forced me to try the coffee chat thing, and I gotta admit I was wrong. The one on one setting lets you actually dig into someone's career path instead of just hearing their elevator pitch over loud music. Plus people are way more willing to help when you're not screaming over a crowd while holding a half full cup of bad coffee.

wilson.kelly2mo ago

Oh man, I actually just read something about that in a newsletter last week. It said the whole "go to every event" thing is like trying to drink from a fire hose, you just end up wet and tired.

hugoh552mo ago

Three years ago I was the same way, hitting every damn meetup in town and wondering why I felt burnt out with nothing to show for it. The coffee chat switch was a game changer for me too, way better than shouting over bad beer at a networking mixer.