More often referred to as ‘the dreaded networking,’ most people hate it before they’ve even tried it and also hate it when they have tried it. Hiding in corners, sales pitches, and forced referrals all add to the fear. But what if it doesn’t have to be like that?
We asked our small business community what their best tips are for networking successfully and how not to detest it. Overwhelmingly, the advice that comes up again and again is “listen”. And it’s excellent advice. Forget about your elevator pitch for a moment and go find out what problems other people have, what’s working for them in their businesses and make some business friends. The sales will come later.
What’s your best tip for networking?…
“Listen.”
Claire Baker | Badass branding. Bullshit not included.
“Remembering names is a challenge for most people, so make yourself memorable by:
- Wear a name badge with your name and logo.
- Wear something bright.
- Use the QR code on LinkedIn to connect with people you meet, then drop them a nice DM to remind them who you are.
Final tip – get there early so you are part of a group from the beginning, rather than walking into a busy event and feeling overwhelmed.”
Lesley Anderson | Outsourced marketing for businesses who want to grow their client base, increase sales and boost their brand.
“Be yourself and be consistent. Passion will shine through, and great relationships are built on a solid foundation!”
Will Blower | Director at Award Winning Accountancy Firm, Realise Finance
“Share advice freely.
Follow up.
Go in with the mindset that I am there to meet a few people and have a chat to learn about their business first – don’t try and sell (but of course explain what you do in the conversations). People buy from people and they are much more likely to remember you and therefore look for your services when they need it if they like you. Don’t try to play the room and get around everyone and don’t think that you will get a sale then and there. Networking is about building relationships, and that takes time (so don’t do a one-off and give up as no return).
Start small, especially if you find networking difficult. Look for smaller events where the atmosphere is likely to be more relaxed. If you know a client or someone you know is going to be there, meet before for a coffee so you are not alone going in. If you are really not comfortable networking in person, consider hiring or bringing someone from your team to do it with you. Having someone who enjoys meeting new people can take a lot of pressure off you and help start conversations where you can join in.”
Ralph Risk | B2B Marketing Consultant – Fractional CMO – Founder – Marketing Communication Specialist
“Be curious and open. Then DO THE FOLLOW UP (that’s where LinkedIn is brilliant, to pump up your in-the-room effort).”
Jodie Newman | Using creativity to out-idea your competition
“Stop selling, start listening.”
Helen Calvert | Life coaching, no bullsh*t.
“Head to the loo when you see the pitch slapper in the room, a couple of victims away from you. I mean that.”
Judith Rafferty | Your next copywriter in B2B, hospitality & events
“A tip for introverts – network with people at the side of the room – you won’t feel so overwhelmed by people all around you.”
Rob Beadle | B2B tech copywriter
“Look at the angle people are standing, if there are two people in a V shape, they’re open to someone joining them.”
Joanne Manville | Virtual EAs supporting charity leaders
“Keep an open mind and think about how you can ‘give’ to the room. Don’t expect to ‘get’ – this will happen once your circle is formed. And once it does, it blossoms in many forms and will be stronger than ever. Don’t forget to try to learn something new, and smile.”
Penny Gibbs | Freelance Digital Marketer
“You don’t ‘grow’ a network. You earn one. Build something. Be excellent at what you do. Get real results. When you’re doing meaningful, interesting work, the right people naturally want to connect with you. Networking isn’t about handing out business cards or walking around a conference with your hand out. It’s about creating value first, and then exchanging it with others.”
Faraz Hemani | Self-Storage & Industrial Property
“Don’t force small talk. Ask curious questions instead. People love to talk about themselves, so take the pressure off by becoming the world’s most likeable person. Bonus: it buys you time to relax, makes you memorable, and builds real connections without the awkward overshare panic spiral.
Remember: You don’t have to be the loudest in the room, just the most genuinely interested.”
Charlene Espie | Owner of the Multi-Award Winning Social Media Agency, Tartan Social Agency and Academy
“For introverts, networking is one of those marketing tactics we know we should do, but it can seem overwhelming. So my tips if this is you: 1.) go with a business buddy if you can 2.) do your prep – find out who else is going to be there and look to have meaningful conversations with anyone relevant, rather than try to “work the room” and 3.) wear something bright, and then when you follow up you can remind them who you were – without having to have spoken to everyone in the room.”
Jenny Procter | Marketing communication consultant & Award-winning author
“Be more interested than you are interesting! The best connections usually come from being genuinely curious, asking open questions, actively listening, and letting the conversation flow naturally. It’s not always about pitching, but building a meaningful connection. You’ll walk away with much better insights, stronger relationships, and more unexpected value that way.”
La Tess Bartlett | Business Development & Partnerships
“Take a photo of your LinkedIn QR code (on a mobile, click into the search box, and then click on the ‘four-squares’ image that appears in there on the right).
Save the photo as a screensaver or keep it in your photos, ready to connect to your fellow networkers.
Ask more questions than you answer – positive human interaction relies on conversation and not a pre-written sales pitch. But, you can be ready with some non-work questions, such as ‘did you have a long journey?’ or ‘what’s your favourite biscuit?’ – people will remember how you made them feel.”
Gus Bhandal | LinkedIn trainer 💥for business owners
“Asking what they need help with and not spewing on about what I do. Once you know how someone needs help, you can start connecting the dots, whether that’s introducing connections with that skill set or recommending approaches, software, people or places, once you can actively help someone, that’s when you leave the best impression and the door opens to further opportunity down the road!”
Emma Stokes | Brand & Graphic Designer
“Networking is brilliant if you find your tribe, like-minded people with common goals. If you are going to network, then always do it properly, have a strategy, almost know what you want to get out of it before you go, have a clean and short “pitch”, don’t sell, just inform. Always follow up – all too often, we meet people at a networking event and then keep the business card at the bottom of our bags. Follow up will ensure you build strong relationships, which is what will get you a referral in the end.”
Lindsey Stephens | Empowering Business Women through Connection, Inspiration, Education and Wellbeing ⭐ The Female Boss Magazine Editor & Publisher
“My top tip for networking is – don’t wait! Just do it. I went to one in-person networking event in the whole of my first year of running my own business.
I was just busy and nervous, and I put it off for ages. But that one event sparked a whole new set of contacts and supportive friends who I couldn’t now run my business without. And it snowballed – I now aim to go to a couple of in-person networking events a month (and a few virtual meet-ups). Find the kind of networking that works for you. And then just go for it.”
Linda Harrison | PR specialist: Helping small businesses to get more visible.
“So many tips…
– You won’t be the only person alone, and if you are, then make use of any online pre-event chats to see who’s going and say hello or check out who you want to speak to.
– Listen, you don’t have to have all the amazing questions, and you’ll bring something very valuable to a space.
– Be inclusive with questions and don’t make assumptions, not everyone in the room is making millions, has children or wants a fix, ask what’s helpful.
– If you see someone looking lost, ask if you can help.
– I’m an introvert and struggle with energy, so I make sure I get breaks and take a walk, or if it’s local, I cycle to give myself time to wind down; it can be exhausting.
– If it’s not a good day, it’s okay to say no, but always let the organisers know.”
Berenice Howard-Smith | Designing eye-catching digital, online, brand & print experiences
“Staying authentic and human. Just be you!”
Gabriela Kouahla | 360° Linguist & Vendor| English to French <> Romanian Certified Translator
“Over 70% of business done in the UK is done via the power of networking. 18 years into my business, and networking still features in the top three ways business flows to me. Find a group that works for you in all the ways; interesting people that you would be happy to spend time with outside of your business, at a time and place that works for you and where you’re going to learn stuff too.”
Clare Whalley | Straight-talking Business Coach & Author
“My top tip would be: Ask if there’s anything you can do to make your meet-up more accessible and inclusive. And often friendships sneak into networking. We stumble on common ground, and a friendship starts to grow. 😊 “
Lia Stoll 🦮 | Disability Writer | Content strategy & writing for inclusive brands
“Popped my 2025 networking cherry last Friday and could write a blog post on this… but will choose one for the more introverted. If meeting (lots of) new people leaves you feeling content but socially exhausted, build in ‘recovery’ time afterwards. This doesn’t need to involve a dark, silent room, but could mean simply not scheduling client calls for the same day and building in whatever quiet time feeds your soul.”
Lucy van Biljon | Proofreader & Editor
“Don’t go into it expecting to sell anything. Go into it wanting to learn. The person you’re talking to will be able to tell the difference.”
Kelsey Frick | 💬 Freelance Translation Account Manager
