How I Got Good at Networking (After Being Really Bad at It)

When I was working in corporate, leading social for a Fortune 500, I didn’t realize how inward my world had become. Most of my time was spent with people inside the company, and I wasn’t building anything beyond it. I wasn’t networking with anyone new. And I definitely wasn’t investing in relationships beyond the day-to-day or the internal politics.

My experience in corporate America was that it made your world feel big on the inside, and a little too small on the outside.

Once I left, I realized just how much I wasn’t staying in touch with those in my network. And, I definitely wasn’t meeting new people, or being intentional or purposeful.

But two years out, and fully detoxed from that corporate tunnel vision, I’ve rebuilt my network in a way that actually feels personal, useful, and sustainable.

And here’s the one networking habit that made the biggest difference:

📅 Set. The. Date.

Every time someone says, “We should catch up,” I say:

“Definitely! How’s next Wednesday at 9am?”

That’s it. That’s the move.

Set the date. Make it real. It’s not about being pushy. It’s about being intentional.

The best networkers I know aren’t chasing clout or working the room, they’re showing up for real conversations. They’re keeping in touch. They’re asking great questions. And most importantly? They’re following through.

So if you’re trying to grow your network—especially outside of a big company. Try this:

• Stop waiting for the perfect reason to reach out

• Say yes to the people who energize or interest you

• Don't worry about the ghosting or the "no thanks" responses

• And... PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR!