How to Do Networking Properly: Practical Tips for Building Real Connections

+ weekly list of handpicked startup events for founders and investors in London

Author

Vasily Alekseenko
November 03, 2024

How to Do Networking Properly: Practical Tips for Building Real Connections

They say your network is your net worth, and from experience, I’ve found that’s definitely true. But networking isn’t just about showing up—it’s about being intentional. Here’s my approach to making the most of networking events, whether it’s a casual meetup or a major conference, to create connections that actually count.

1. Prepare, But Keep It Genuine

Networking isn’t about selling; it’s about making connections. Before going to an event, understand the type of people who’ll be there. Is it full of investors, potential customers, or founders like you? This will shape your approach. Also, have a concise elevator pitch ready—think thirty seconds max—that covers who you are, what you do, and a memorable detail about your achievements or current goals. But hold back on pitching right away. Let them talk first, ask questions, and genuinely listen. Tailor your pitch to align with the conversation, making it feel natural.

2. Starting Conversations: Simple Works

Icebreakers can be simple but effective. Ask easy questions like, “What do you think of the event?” or “What time does it end?” It doesn’t matter if you know the answer; people are generally happy to help and chat. If you’re in a group where no one talks and it feels awkward, try an icebreaker like, “What did everyone want to be when they grew up?” It’s lighthearted and can quickly turn strangers into a group that feels connected.

3. Making it Work for Introverts and Those with ADHD

For introverts or people with ADHD, networking events can feel overwhelming. One trick is to bring a friend. Having someone familiar by your side can make it easier to engage in conversations. If you’re nervous about starting conversations, remember that practice is key—even the most successful public speakers were once uncomfortable at events like these. The more you do it, the better it feels. Also, if you know you struggle with remembering details, jot down a few notes after meeting someone to keep track of key points for follow-ups.

4. Conferences: Do Your Homework and Find the ‘Connectors’

At bigger conferences, where time is short, and people are moving fast, preparation is everything. Research the speakers and key attendees. Read their articles, look up their interests, and have a few conversation points ready. If you meet them, refer to something specific they’ve posted or said—this shows you’re genuinely interested, not just there to get something from them.

Look for the “connectors” in the crowd—the people who seem to know everyone and are always introducing people around. These are often natural extroverts who love making connections. Introduce yourself, show interest in them, and if there’s a genuine connection, they’re often happy to connect you with others.

5. Take Advantage of Breaks for Quick Conversations

During conference breaks, or when you are in a coffee line, use the downtime to meet people casually. Ask about their thoughts on the session or their experiences at similar events. These are easy entry points that can lead to more meaningful conversations.

And if there’s a panel, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This is an opportunity to introduce yourself briefly to the room. When asking a question, start with your name, your company, and a quick note on what you do. This gives everyone in the room a sense of who you are and can lead to people approaching you afterward.

6. Follow Up and Invest in ‘Lines,’ Not Just ‘Dots’

After any event, follow up promptly. Mention where you met and something memorable from your conversation. Add a unique detail about yourself to stand out—maybe you speak multiple languages or have an interesting side project. This helps jog people’s memory, especially at larger events where they’ve likely met dozens of people.

Remember, people invest in lines, not dots. Each point of contact—each “dot”—you have with someone over time, like meeting them at an event, following up, and reconnecting later, eventually forms a line. The longer and more consistent this line becomes, the stronger the relationship. Whether you’re dealing with investors who want to see commitment over time or people who genuinely want to help, these continuous connections are what turn acquaintances into valuable allies.

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building relationships. Start with genuine interest, be prepared, and follow up thoughtfully. Whether you’re at a monthly meetup or a massive conference, these steps will help you turn networking into one of the most valuable tools in your founder journey.

RARE FOUNDERS EVENTS❤️

Rare Founders

Building Business as LGBTQ+ Founder

​Join us for an insightful panel discussion, “Building Business as LGBTQ+ Founder,” where we dive into the experiences and challenges of LGBTQ+ startup founders. This event features a panel of founders who identify as LGBTQ+, sharing their journeys, insights, and the unique challenges they’ve faced in building their businesses.

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Mon 4 Nov, 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

Rare Founders

Where to Start With Your MVP

​Join us for “Where to Start with MVP,” a panel discussion that tackles the big questions around building a Minimum Viable Product for your startup. What does an MVP really mean, and do you need to spend money hiring developers, or can you get started with tools like WhatsApp and Google Sheets?

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Tue 5 Nov, 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

Rare Founders & Hotbed

Founders Pitch Relay

​Ever wondered how others pitch your startup when you're not in the room?

​After the remarkable success and feedback from our first ever Pitch Relay collab, Rare Founders and Hotbed are joining forces for their second Pitch Relay event, a first-of-its-kind pitch challenge where you'll get to understand how your pitch evolves through different perspectives in a chain reaction of communication.

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Mon 11 Nov, 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

Rare Founders & SeedLegals

Female Founders Night

Join us for Female Founders Night, an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting female founders, hosted in partnership with SeedLegals. This event brings together female founders, allies, investors, and supporters who believe in the power of female-led startups. It’s a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in a welcoming space.

In-person event

Google Cloud Startup Hub, 4-5 Bonhill St, London, EC2A 4BX, UK

Mon 11 Nov, 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

OTHER LONDON EVENTS🌟

Hubspot

Power your Tech Startup Through Partnerships

Join this webinar to learn how to attract, nurture and convert leads into loyal customers. With customer acquisition costs on the rise, it's all about finding creative, repeatable strategies to drive growth. Explore how partnerships and co-marketing can help your startup attract high-quality leads and boost your success.

Online event

Wed 6 Nov, 11:00 - 12:00 GMT

Modelix

Startup Fundraising Playbooks to Raise Before Year End

​​Welcome to Startup Valuation for Entrepreneurs! In this webinar, you will learn about the key value drivers of your business, as well as the unique challenges of startups and techniques you can apply​. Valuing a startup is tough - traditional methods often fall short due to the lack of data. And yet, valuation is crucial for decisions like fundraising, equity distribution, and exit strategy.

Online event

Wed 6 Nov, 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Novabook

Founders & Late-Stage Founders

Join this exclusive "Founders meet late-stage Founders" mixer. ​Network with other founders, share experiences, unlock new business opportunities and speak with Series A, B & C founders including Motorway co-founder Alex Buttle.

In-person event

Tottenham Court Road area, London, UK

Wed 6 Nov, 18:00 - 22:30 GMT

Community Events

Wealth-Building Beyond Work

Learn how to build wealth outside of your 9-5. This is a women-centered event, open to all who identify as female or non-binary.

​From optimising your cash flow, to side hustles, to investing, we’ll be covering it all. You will leave inspired, connected and equipped to make your financial goals a reality.

In-person event

Old Street area, London, UK

Wed 6 Nov, 18:30 - 21:30 GMT

SeedLegals

The Early Adopter, Finding Your First Customers

Ready to launch but unsure how to land those crucial first customers? Join us to learn actionable strategies to build excitement, gain trust and grow a loyal customer base from day one. Whether you're a startup founder or launching a new product, this webinar will help you kickstart your journey to success.

Online event

Thu 7 Nov, 12:30 - 13:00 GMT

Robot Mascot

Making Sustainability Profitable

There are two ways you can work with sustainability. One will cost you money, the other will make you money! It all starts with the right approach and mindset.

In this session, Jasper Steinhausen – a leading business sustainability consultant – will give you the foundation for mindset transformation by walking you through the 5 common misconceptions that hinder businesses of all sizes from turning sustainability from a cost centre to a profit driver.

Online event

Thu 7 Nov, 15:00 - 15:45 GMT

TechBible

The Organic Growth Formula: Beehiiv's Playbook to Scaling Trust

We’re talking real organic growth strategies—no paid ads, no shortcuts. Alec will spill the beans on how beehiiv became a go-to platform for creators, breaking down the playbook that got them to $1M MRR + a 7 figure partner program.. Chita from TechBible will share how she used similar strategies to build a 5M monthly reach on different channels using short form video.

Online event

Thu 7 Nov, 16:00 - 16:30 GMT

Vasily Alekseenko
Founder
@ Rare Founders

Rare Founders - building the bridge between founders and investors via regular in-person and online events, meetups, conferences.

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