Why I Gave Up on Startup Networking Events

Mixers and business networking events have become synonymous with the startup culture. However, I have recently made the decision to abstain from these events. In this article, I want to share my reasons with you. Before we begin, I want to clarify that just because networking events didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean they won’t work for you. They might, but after more than a decade of attending them, here’s why I no longer do.

Networking Events: Not as Effective as They Seem

I know this may sound counterintuitive. After all, networking events gather people in one place, making it seem like an ideal opportunity to make connections. However, the reality is quite different. These events quickly become chaotic, with everyone vying for attention. The people that everyone wants to connect with are often bombarded with noise from all directions. As a result, everyone else is left with a stack of business cards and no meaningful connections.

Networking events prioritize quantity over quality. Personally, I would rather spend an hour building a meaningful connection with one person over a cup of coffee than spend that same hour shaking hands with hundreds of people.

Networking Events Can Be a Distraction, Especially for Founders

Most conversations at networking events revolve around work. While this may seem like a productive use of time, it can be deceptive. Engaging in networking events gives the illusion of being productive, but it may be taking time away from more important tasks. As a founder, your time is invaluable. Rather than spending it at networking events, you could be focusing on talking to your customers, refining your marketing strategy, or engaging in high-level thinking about your business. Additionally, networking events can prevent you from finding targeted ways to connect with influencers and utilizing your time for self-care and personal relationships.

Consider the tradeoffs carefully before defaulting to attending networking events. Is the time and effort invested worth the potential benefits?

Don’t Fear Missing Out on That One Huge Connection

Many people attend networking events with the fear of missing out on a game-changing connection. While it’s true that one big connection can impact your startup, the statistics may surprise you. Think about how many networking events you’ve attended. Now, how many truly game-changing connections have you made at these events? For most of us, the answer is minimal, if any.

Even if you have made a significant connection, it is essential to recognize the costs involved. Networking events can consume hours of your time, from commuting to attending the event. When you calculate the hours spent versus the actual outcome, the results may not be as impressive as you initially thought.

Networking Events Can Keep You in a Bubble

Most networking events attract a homogeneous group of individuals, usually startups and small business owners. These events often become a platform for founders to boost their self-esteem by bragging about their successes, whether real or exaggerated. Being constantly surrounded by individuals who appear to be doing better than you can lead to founder syndrome—a persistent feeling that everyone around you is more successful. This mindset can negatively impact your mental well-being and overall success.

Networking events can amplify founder syndrome, making it crucial to be mindful of its influence.

Effective Alternatives to Networking Events

Building valuable connections is essential for personal and professional growth. However, there are alternative methods that can yield better results than attending networking events. Here are a few suggestions:

• Do something notable that attracts people to network with you. Create something of value or publish content that benefits your target market.
• Focus on connecting with influencers on a personal level, away from the noise and chaos of networking events.

For me, adopting these approaches has resulted in more meaningful connections compared to any event or conference I’ve attended.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice of how to grow your business is yours. Networking events may have been beneficial for you in the past or may be in the future. However, for me, the value derived from these events paled in comparison to other efforts. I hope this article encourages you to reconsider attending every networking event and provides alternative ideas that can lead to more valuable connections in your business journey.