In a world where you can connect with anyone—from your neighbor to an industry CEO—at the click of a button, it’s fair to ask: do in-person networking meetings still hold value?
After all, social media offers limitless reach, convenience, and visibility. You can post, comment, and message your way into nearly any conversation. But while digital networking has transformed how professionals connect, it hasn’t replaced the human element that in-person meetings deliver.
Read MoreAt a recent networking event, I watched two very different approaches unfold. One attendee worked the room quickly, handing out business cards and delivering the same 30-second pitch to everyone he met. The other sat down with just a handful of people, asked thoughtful questions, and really listened to their answers. By the end of the event, the first person had a stack of cards—but little else. The second had made genuine connections, swapped stories, and even scheduled follow-up meetings.
This is the difference between surface-level networking and maximizing conversations. The real power of networking lies not in the quantity of interactions, but in the quality of conversations. A single, meaningful exchange can lead to opportunities that a dozen shallow interactions never could.
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