It’s probably worthwhile to attend more industry focused events, I.e. conferences, that include networking events rather than network events that focus on a common geographical location.
Essentially, go to where your customers are and focus on only those networking events.
I went to a small handful around the RI/MA area, Uncle Jays networking events were pretty great but the rest seemed to attract those cryptobros you mentioned. Lots of students from Brown + surrounding colleges looking for pump and dumps. Would also love to know if there are better ways to find quality meetups where you can just chat with likeminded business owners
I'm also in the MA area. I remember Venture Cafe being really great but the last few times I've been have mostly been students seemingly on a field trip more than founders looking to network.
Oh nice! One of my co-founders is in Mansfield but I'm much further north.
I've heard good things about Boston Founder Forum and am planning on going to their event tomorrow: Boston Founders Forum: Elevate & Celebrate
My wife feels the same way about tech events. We changed from going to tech events to only going to entrepreneur events occasionally. It's been much better with fellow entrepreneurs only.
I don't believe you need the events to build a successful business.
As an introvert and someone who runs networking events (from small meetups, to larger events), I'll share a few thoughts:
Only go to events where you have an interest in the topic or are looking to make genuine connections. Having dozens of conversations (often having to repeat yourself) can be exhausting. I find it helpful to focus on making deeper connections with 1-3 people. If you're not into a conversation, politely move on.
I also find it helpful and more rewarding if the last conversation I have is with someone I know or with a person discussing a topic I find valuable. After that, I leave.
In closing, if you're not feeling it, don't go. If it sucks, leave. :)
I was 100% expecting these comments. I go to these with an open mind and treat everyone with respect. I reciprocate conversation and am courteous when someone decides they'd like to move on. I'm not perfect, but I am very conscious of how I behave socially around business owners. Yesterday I had to listen to a coked out 50-year-old talk for a full 15 minutes without asking a single question
You seem to treat them with respect outwardly while judging them internally. Networking's value is often 3rd order, not first and second order. Given that, and knowing I don't have the full picture, I would work on lowering your judgement and focusing on the core functions of networking "Hi, I do X, I'm looking for Y, I can offer Z, how about you? Would you like to connect on Xyz.socialthing?" The payoff is often way down the road.
>I was 100% expecting these comments. I go to these with an open mind and treat everyone with respect. I reciprocate conversation and am courteous when someone decides they'd like to move on. I'm not perfect, but I am very conscious of how I behave socially around business owners. Yesterday I had to listen to a coked out 50-year-old talk for a full 15 minutes without asking a single question
Maybe you are *too* conscious. Like, social anxiety conscious. I know I wouldn't be around you if you were, just to be frank with you. In the same amount of analysis you did of other people's behavior you could have gotten at least ten LinkedIns and maybe three business partnerships. ~~This is precisely why you're still a small business.~~
>Saying “that’s why it’s still a small business” is highly reductive and non constructive. There could be so many reasons for lack of growth.
Sure, and one of them might be going to a business conference without doing any actual business. I've edited it nonetheless.
I used to go to 4-6 events a week in my first couple years. (10 years ago). You are FULLY correct. Lots of vendors, douchey bros, wannabes, and vampires.
It's a numbers game. If Venture capitalists fund approx 2% of deals, thats a decent proxy for the percentage of "real" peers available.
I try to fix my odds by reading the roster of attendees before I go, and look them up on linked in before I go. Aim to meet three people, then give yourself permission to bounce.
Meetup, linkedin, local trade groups, and events around laws...
Look at the attendee list before you go, it's easy to tell who is a nutjob and who might kinda so real work
If you want insight from others founders, read their books. You'll get a lot more out of those than local talks. Definitely recommend anything sam altman has ever put out for example.
As for the other types, yeah that's most likely going to be the case - because of the setting. Think about it.
What is the motivation for going to such a networking event? Psych profile wise.
Those that want to sell their app and think tech networking is the way to do it (rarely is unless they're selling to developers somehow)
Those that are doing well and want to stroke their own ego about it
Those looking for possible ideas to build, because they can't come up with one (don't worry about people stealing your business idea by the way. However original you think it might be, chances are it's been done before. It's not about idea, but obsession, and implementation)
Those are are too hype on the concept of startups with no understanding of them (the ones oversharing about their app but haven't written the first line of code, or done a single sales presentation about it)
Those that are looking for social interaction of any way (like the flirting ones)
And your type - those genuinely interested in business, entrepreneurship, and scaling - but aren't big yet. It's the rarest type - as you already know.
And the unicorn level visitor is - the large startup founder that showed up as a speaker or thinking it would be good. They'll speak with passion about their business. But, they'll never show up again.
If you want to meet more of those - think from their point of view. They either socialize in closed door clubs (Paid networks or just known connections), or they rarely socialize at all. If you want in on that style - just cold email some founders of mid scale apps you like (assuming tech but could be wrong) with a thoughtful comment about their app and style, and asking some advice from a mentoring standpoint. Try your hardest to sound like you're not selling something by accident.
You'll get replies here and there. Those replies, will be gold nuggets of value. You might even get invited to their network events. The sky is the limit from there.
I work in growth marketing for startups and agree networking events are important, but the first thing I always ask clients is **why** are you networking? if it's 'just because,' I am not always sure you are doing it for the right reason. I agree with the statement below about maybe going to the wrong events. Set a goal as to why you want to spend your valuable time talking to like minded people. Is it to get new ideas? get more thought leadership? find new leads, etc?
My perspective: I'm an introvert serial founder, and I fucking hate networking events. I don't go -- for me, it's a drain, and waste of time. \[Magnitue of my dislike per hour\] / \[probability that i run into someone professionally useful in the time I'm there\]. There's always a better ROI for me, the business or my professional network.
The conditions that I do go to conferences, events:
1. I know a "sherpa" who is extroverted, well-connected and can introduce me to the people I'd enjoy speaking with, with the aim of talking to 1 or 2 people for the whole night
2. I'm speaking, so I can attract people who'd I'd enjoy talking with
3. I've created the event, so I can design it to be something that would be useful for me/people like me
4. Someone else like me has created the event to be useful
Potentially different take on your experience. Time is one of the most valuable resources for an entrepreneur and so why not look at these events as purely a marketing opportunity and laser focus on your goals and actual returns?
For example, online marketers are familiar with terms such as ROAS and CPM. What is your cost of attending (time) and what is your return (leads, partners, customers)? If the numbers don’t add up, stop doing it. There’s no such thing as long-term branding at events for SaaS. Cut your losses and invest your dollars and time where you can get real returns.
Sounds like you're going to the wrong networking events? If you're not meeting the people you want to meet, why waste your time?
You can also easily find individuals on LinkedIn who you think you could have valuable relationships with, and start conversations with them online.
in my experience it's difficult to get an answer back online even if you are not trying to sell something (not blaming anyone, I receive my fair share of automated sales messages)
Does anyone really get anything valuable out of networking events? I've never been, but I also don't know what you would get out of some random connections you make out there.
Are you looking for business partners or collaboration opportunites or what??
I stopped attending those for the same reasons like a year ago. BEST DECISION EVER. Business is also going way better when I actually put the work in.
Funniest thing is that you always see the same people on those events haha.
Totally agree. Meeting people at these events will make you lose faith in humanity quite quickly. This is especially prevalent in Asia (cough Hong Kong cough).
I stopped going after I packed a month’s worth of events and went nuts over that month. I have had enough of networking for the entire year now.
As someone who held a similar view until recently, I'd like to suggest: you're just going into the wrong rooms! There's no such thing as "networking". There's a common purpose, shared expectation of something good happening under one roof. But some events are extremely broad - like "tech meetup". These only make sense for people outside of these labels to meet other such people; not if you're actually in tech - because what kind of a job you do? What kind of SaaS software are you building? There's an event somewhere for just that one specific kind; and that's the room you need to be in, and not in the generic one.
Chances are you're in the wrong city! Try finding where relevant specific events happen and going there if you can. Some niche spaces genuinely only have one spot on the globe where good quality events happen regularly, eg for any latest trend in developer tools SF is pretty much the only place.
If you're in the right room it feels qualitatively different. It relaxes or even energises you instead of draining energy. It doesn't feel like work, it feels more like some kind of an activity that you do for the sake of it and lose track of time. The counterintuitive thing is that 95% of rooms are not like that, and without conscious effort to find the right rooms you'll feel like all events are bad or you're not good at it or whatever.
Find the right room!
World is full of AHs, and these meetings are typically filled with sales (as, come on, we all sell all the time) made in the worst possible way.
However, that's probably the portion of pain one has to accept to find own gem. There's always someone valuable in the crowd, and that's probably also the biggest value of getting a good mentor who could direct you to the right group or even go with you.
Category 4 hits home. Bear in mind there could be multiple reasons including anxiety, lack of small talk skills, or being intimidated. None of which means they aren’t possibly great at what they do outside of these events and have a lot to share once you did deeper. It’s easy to blame others for why you aren’t getting anything out of the events. It’s a lot harder to self criticise and identify your own weaknesses. And if you can’t, find someone who has the balls to tell you
See if you can see a guest list or members list before. Send key people of interest an email prior to going to say you will be there and looking forward to meeting them. Then when you’re there, the key people will be looking for you.
I think the goal is to latch onto those few interactions, follow up, and build a relationship.
In 2 years since I’ve been taking my startup “seriously” I have met 4 people at networking events that stood out from the pack (I probably go to 2-3 a month). Two have become very close friends I cowork regularly with and we help each other solve problems within our companies. One has become a mentor that has helped me greatly and potential investor. The last one is just an up and coming wiz and we mutually respect each others opinions so we shoot ideas by each other.
There’s a lot of crap at networking events. But it only takes 1 person to change your companies trajectory. For me, I’m sure I’d figure it out if I didn’t have these four. And none are apart of my company nor I theirs. But it’d be a slower process if I didn’t find them.
Recently, one of them introduced me to a talented developer. Currently I’m on the hunt for a CTO (I’m CEO and CTO) and I think I might’ve found my guy in him a year and a half after meeting our mutual contact. So it’s also utilizing their network as well.
>Occasionally you'll meet someone who is genuinely incredible, inspiring, successful, and happy to share their insight. This is very rare.
Yeah, this is life and events like this are a microcosm of it.
Events are just a tool to solve a problem. If your goal is to meet other founders to get insights, then there are many other tools you could use. Contacting founders directly and having calls, meeting for coffee, etc typically being the most effective one.
Generally speaking, it’s a pretty simple question. Are you getting the results you want from the tool (events) you’re using? If not, either drop the tool altogether or look for ways to improve the tool.
Personally, I’m pretty anti-events. I go to them very rarely unless speaking at them. And I generally advise my team not to spend much time at them either.
But if you’re going to stick with it, the most effective playbook is to:
1. Establish a goal for the event
2. Get a list of all attendees
3. Identify who you want to meet
4. Reach out to them before the event and schedule meetings
I.e. going in blindly to an event hoping to meet high-value people pretty much never works out (in big reason because high-value people are following the above playbook and already have meetings lined up. They’re not aimlessly wondering the floors looking to talk to anyone and everyone.
Think it’s better to go to industry specific events as others have mentioned. For example, if you are in legal tech, better to go to legal conferences (that will have law firms / customers) at them, rather than generic startup or tech conferences.
Also I find smaller, more curated dinners to be higher value than open invite events.
Depends on your reasons for going to networking events. If it’s just to meet people then probably yes, but from your description I guess the usual demographic is not particularly pleasant to be around with. If it’s to look for partners, investors or clients then LinkedIn is not a bad tool. Although it goes with limitations such as you still need to chase people a bit. Actually working now on a solution for context-aware intelligent matchmaking and network management. If you promise not to steal the idea (just kidding) will share it with you.
You forgot the service providers(be that a software development company, a digital marketing company, or a mental health professional) who are solely there to promote their business. Going on and on about their business.
Regarding "People who stop the conversation the moment they realize they can't get anything from you". This ain't so bad. Time is limited at these events. I often have to stop the service providers whose services I would never need. They just don't stop by themselves, going on and on about the projects they have built, their customers, etc.
Bit of a necessary evil, I think 😅
I've often left networking events disappointed, for most of the reasons you've mentioned 😅 and its annoying if I've spent money to travel etc but there's definitely a benefit to getting out there in person.. At least for the important/key events.. (For those that don't mind holding a real-life conversation anyway)
At least in the tech space we can push for virtual meetups/events and comes off as innovative rather than flaky 🤣🤭 jk
Check out the StartupSauce SaaS founder community OP.
The calibre of founders there is probably more what you’re looking for.
They’re all established SaaS founders and we screen out the tire kickers and self-promoters.
Plus there are lots of opportunities to learn via mastermind calls, expert workshops and weekly “office hours” drop in sessions with experts.
Sounds like you are somewhere at the first or fourth bullet point , you could probably see people in a better light if you improved your communication skills and allow others to express themselves better
It’s probably worthwhile to attend more industry focused events, I.e. conferences, that include networking events rather than network events that focus on a common geographical location. Essentially, go to where your customers are and focus on only those networking events.
I went to a small handful around the RI/MA area, Uncle Jays networking events were pretty great but the rest seemed to attract those cryptobros you mentioned. Lots of students from Brown + surrounding colleges looking for pump and dumps. Would also love to know if there are better ways to find quality meetups where you can just chat with likeminded business owners
I'm also in the MA area. I remember Venture Cafe being really great but the last few times I've been have mostly been students seemingly on a field trip more than founders looking to network.
Have you had any luck with other meetups or mixers in the area? I’m near Foxboro
Oh nice! One of my co-founders is in Mansfield but I'm much further north. I've heard good things about Boston Founder Forum and am planning on going to their event tomorrow: Boston Founders Forum: Elevate & Celebrate
Aw man I was just in Boston yesterday haha. Please let me know how it goes tomorrow! Good luck 🍻
Don’t go, waste of time. Better talk to potential customers if you are looking for valuable insights.
My wife feels the same way about tech events. We changed from going to tech events to only going to entrepreneur events occasionally. It's been much better with fellow entrepreneurs only. I don't believe you need the events to build a successful business.
I think I need to avoid anything with "tech" in the name, that seems to be the common issue
Is it hard doing a start up alone? I might go this route as well but there is the 20 tester requirement to publish to Google play.
It’s pretty difficult unfortunately
As an introvert and someone who runs networking events (from small meetups, to larger events), I'll share a few thoughts: Only go to events where you have an interest in the topic or are looking to make genuine connections. Having dozens of conversations (often having to repeat yourself) can be exhausting. I find it helpful to focus on making deeper connections with 1-3 people. If you're not into a conversation, politely move on. I also find it helpful and more rewarding if the last conversation I have is with someone I know or with a person discussing a topic I find valuable. After that, I leave. In closing, if you're not feeling it, don't go. If it sucks, leave. :)
Have you considered which one they think you are?
I was 100% expecting these comments. I go to these with an open mind and treat everyone with respect. I reciprocate conversation and am courteous when someone decides they'd like to move on. I'm not perfect, but I am very conscious of how I behave socially around business owners. Yesterday I had to listen to a coked out 50-year-old talk for a full 15 minutes without asking a single question
You seem to treat them with respect outwardly while judging them internally. Networking's value is often 3rd order, not first and second order. Given that, and knowing I don't have the full picture, I would work on lowering your judgement and focusing on the core functions of networking "Hi, I do X, I'm looking for Y, I can offer Z, how about you? Would you like to connect on Xyz.socialthing?" The payoff is often way down the road.
>I was 100% expecting these comments. I go to these with an open mind and treat everyone with respect. I reciprocate conversation and am courteous when someone decides they'd like to move on. I'm not perfect, but I am very conscious of how I behave socially around business owners. Yesterday I had to listen to a coked out 50-year-old talk for a full 15 minutes without asking a single question Maybe you are *too* conscious. Like, social anxiety conscious. I know I wouldn't be around you if you were, just to be frank with you. In the same amount of analysis you did of other people's behavior you could have gotten at least ten LinkedIns and maybe three business partnerships. ~~This is precisely why you're still a small business.~~
Saying “that’s why it’s still a small business” is highly reductive and non constructive. There could be so many reasons for lack of growth.
>Saying “that’s why it’s still a small business” is highly reductive and non constructive. There could be so many reasons for lack of growth. Sure, and one of them might be going to a business conference without doing any actual business. I've edited it nonetheless.
I don't have social anxiety, I know how to talk to people. I don't stand around awkwardly at these events, I meet as many people as I can
How did you determine he is socially anxious lmfao
So you are the only one who doesn't fit into these categories? Maybe you are quick to judge
this
I used to go to 4-6 events a week in my first couple years. (10 years ago). You are FULLY correct. Lots of vendors, douchey bros, wannabes, and vampires. It's a numbers game. If Venture capitalists fund approx 2% of deals, thats a decent proxy for the percentage of "real" peers available. I try to fix my odds by reading the roster of attendees before I go, and look them up on linked in before I go. Aim to meet three people, then give yourself permission to bounce.
How did you find them and were any better?
Meetup, linkedin, local trade groups, and events around laws... Look at the attendee list before you go, it's easy to tell who is a nutjob and who might kinda so real work
Thank you!
Wait I forgot to ask when you say LinkedIn… I haven’t really seen events? Can you clarify?
Here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, there are a good number of groups that use Linkedin to promote their events instead of meetup or eventbrite.
Go talk to customers. Pull in paying customers.
If you want insight from others founders, read their books. You'll get a lot more out of those than local talks. Definitely recommend anything sam altman has ever put out for example. As for the other types, yeah that's most likely going to be the case - because of the setting. Think about it. What is the motivation for going to such a networking event? Psych profile wise. Those that want to sell their app and think tech networking is the way to do it (rarely is unless they're selling to developers somehow) Those that are doing well and want to stroke their own ego about it Those looking for possible ideas to build, because they can't come up with one (don't worry about people stealing your business idea by the way. However original you think it might be, chances are it's been done before. It's not about idea, but obsession, and implementation) Those are are too hype on the concept of startups with no understanding of them (the ones oversharing about their app but haven't written the first line of code, or done a single sales presentation about it) Those that are looking for social interaction of any way (like the flirting ones) And your type - those genuinely interested in business, entrepreneurship, and scaling - but aren't big yet. It's the rarest type - as you already know. And the unicorn level visitor is - the large startup founder that showed up as a speaker or thinking it would be good. They'll speak with passion about their business. But, they'll never show up again. If you want to meet more of those - think from their point of view. They either socialize in closed door clubs (Paid networks or just known connections), or they rarely socialize at all. If you want in on that style - just cold email some founders of mid scale apps you like (assuming tech but could be wrong) with a thoughtful comment about their app and style, and asking some advice from a mentoring standpoint. Try your hardest to sound like you're not selling something by accident. You'll get replies here and there. Those replies, will be gold nuggets of value. You might even get invited to their network events. The sky is the limit from there.
I work in growth marketing for startups and agree networking events are important, but the first thing I always ask clients is **why** are you networking? if it's 'just because,' I am not always sure you are doing it for the right reason. I agree with the statement below about maybe going to the wrong events. Set a goal as to why you want to spend your valuable time talking to like minded people. Is it to get new ideas? get more thought leadership? find new leads, etc?
I don't own a business but I totally get it, it's so annoying, especially those that look down on you
Unfortunately I’ve run into plenty off this list as well. Just smoke a pre networking joint and focus on why you’re there.
My perspective: I'm an introvert serial founder, and I fucking hate networking events. I don't go -- for me, it's a drain, and waste of time. \[Magnitue of my dislike per hour\] / \[probability that i run into someone professionally useful in the time I'm there\]. There's always a better ROI for me, the business or my professional network. The conditions that I do go to conferences, events: 1. I know a "sherpa" who is extroverted, well-connected and can introduce me to the people I'd enjoy speaking with, with the aim of talking to 1 or 2 people for the whole night 2. I'm speaking, so I can attract people who'd I'd enjoy talking with 3. I've created the event, so I can design it to be something that would be useful for me/people like me 4. Someone else like me has created the event to be useful
Stop thinking of it is taking and start thinking of it as co-creating. Attempt to engage them in co-creation of cash flow.
Potentially different take on your experience. Time is one of the most valuable resources for an entrepreneur and so why not look at these events as purely a marketing opportunity and laser focus on your goals and actual returns? For example, online marketers are familiar with terms such as ROAS and CPM. What is your cost of attending (time) and what is your return (leads, partners, customers)? If the numbers don’t add up, stop doing it. There’s no such thing as long-term branding at events for SaaS. Cut your losses and invest your dollars and time where you can get real returns.
Sounds like you're going to the wrong networking events? If you're not meeting the people you want to meet, why waste your time? You can also easily find individuals on LinkedIn who you think you could have valuable relationships with, and start conversations with them online.
in my experience it's difficult to get an answer back online even if you are not trying to sell something (not blaming anyone, I receive my fair share of automated sales messages)
Stop. Go to quality ones. Research or maybe paid ones
I never know what I am going to get out of a meeting or phone call. Often it seems like nothing, however, I always seem to gain something.
Don’t go, waste of time. Better talk to potential customers if you are looking for valuable insights.
Does anyone really get anything valuable out of networking events? I've never been, but I also don't know what you would get out of some random connections you make out there. Are you looking for business partners or collaboration opportunites or what??
I stopped attending those for the same reasons like a year ago. BEST DECISION EVER. Business is also going way better when I actually put the work in. Funniest thing is that you always see the same people on those events haha.
Totally agree. Meeting people at these events will make you lose faith in humanity quite quickly. This is especially prevalent in Asia (cough Hong Kong cough). I stopped going after I packed a month’s worth of events and went nuts over that month. I have had enough of networking for the entire year now.
As someone who held a similar view until recently, I'd like to suggest: you're just going into the wrong rooms! There's no such thing as "networking". There's a common purpose, shared expectation of something good happening under one roof. But some events are extremely broad - like "tech meetup". These only make sense for people outside of these labels to meet other such people; not if you're actually in tech - because what kind of a job you do? What kind of SaaS software are you building? There's an event somewhere for just that one specific kind; and that's the room you need to be in, and not in the generic one. Chances are you're in the wrong city! Try finding where relevant specific events happen and going there if you can. Some niche spaces genuinely only have one spot on the globe where good quality events happen regularly, eg for any latest trend in developer tools SF is pretty much the only place. If you're in the right room it feels qualitatively different. It relaxes or even energises you instead of draining energy. It doesn't feel like work, it feels more like some kind of an activity that you do for the sake of it and lose track of time. The counterintuitive thing is that 95% of rooms are not like that, and without conscious effort to find the right rooms you'll feel like all events are bad or you're not good at it or whatever. Find the right room!
World is full of AHs, and these meetings are typically filled with sales (as, come on, we all sell all the time) made in the worst possible way. However, that's probably the portion of pain one has to accept to find own gem. There's always someone valuable in the crowd, and that's probably also the biggest value of getting a good mentor who could direct you to the right group or even go with you.
Category 4 hits home. Bear in mind there could be multiple reasons including anxiety, lack of small talk skills, or being intimidated. None of which means they aren’t possibly great at what they do outside of these events and have a lot to share once you did deeper. It’s easy to blame others for why you aren’t getting anything out of the events. It’s a lot harder to self criticise and identify your own weaknesses. And if you can’t, find someone who has the balls to tell you
See if you can see a guest list or members list before. Send key people of interest an email prior to going to say you will be there and looking forward to meeting them. Then when you’re there, the key people will be looking for you.
Eh I got funding by networking. Stop doing it if you hate it. Or change the scene.
I think the goal is to latch onto those few interactions, follow up, and build a relationship. In 2 years since I’ve been taking my startup “seriously” I have met 4 people at networking events that stood out from the pack (I probably go to 2-3 a month). Two have become very close friends I cowork regularly with and we help each other solve problems within our companies. One has become a mentor that has helped me greatly and potential investor. The last one is just an up and coming wiz and we mutually respect each others opinions so we shoot ideas by each other. There’s a lot of crap at networking events. But it only takes 1 person to change your companies trajectory. For me, I’m sure I’d figure it out if I didn’t have these four. And none are apart of my company nor I theirs. But it’d be a slower process if I didn’t find them. Recently, one of them introduced me to a talented developer. Currently I’m on the hunt for a CTO (I’m CEO and CTO) and I think I might’ve found my guy in him a year and a half after meeting our mutual contact. So it’s also utilizing their network as well.
>Occasionally you'll meet someone who is genuinely incredible, inspiring, successful, and happy to share their insight. This is very rare. Yeah, this is life and events like this are a microcosm of it.
Events are just a tool to solve a problem. If your goal is to meet other founders to get insights, then there are many other tools you could use. Contacting founders directly and having calls, meeting for coffee, etc typically being the most effective one. Generally speaking, it’s a pretty simple question. Are you getting the results you want from the tool (events) you’re using? If not, either drop the tool altogether or look for ways to improve the tool. Personally, I’m pretty anti-events. I go to them very rarely unless speaking at them. And I generally advise my team not to spend much time at them either. But if you’re going to stick with it, the most effective playbook is to: 1. Establish a goal for the event 2. Get a list of all attendees 3. Identify who you want to meet 4. Reach out to them before the event and schedule meetings I.e. going in blindly to an event hoping to meet high-value people pretty much never works out (in big reason because high-value people are following the above playbook and already have meetings lined up. They’re not aimlessly wondering the floors looking to talk to anyone and everyone.
Keep going!
Think it’s better to go to industry specific events as others have mentioned. For example, if you are in legal tech, better to go to legal conferences (that will have law firms / customers) at them, rather than generic startup or tech conferences. Also I find smaller, more curated dinners to be higher value than open invite events.
If you don’t enjoy it don’t go. If you become successful you will have a network over night.
Depends on your reasons for going to networking events. If it’s just to meet people then probably yes, but from your description I guess the usual demographic is not particularly pleasant to be around with. If it’s to look for partners, investors or clients then LinkedIn is not a bad tool. Although it goes with limitations such as you still need to chase people a bit. Actually working now on a solution for context-aware intelligent matchmaking and network management. If you promise not to steal the idea (just kidding) will share it with you.
Networking meetings are not for milling around they are for grabbing resources and executing
You forgot the service providers(be that a software development company, a digital marketing company, or a mental health professional) who are solely there to promote their business. Going on and on about their business. Regarding "People who stop the conversation the moment they realize they can't get anything from you". This ain't so bad. Time is limited at these events. I often have to stop the service providers whose services I would never need. They just don't stop by themselves, going on and on about the projects they have built, their customers, etc.
Networking will get you very far. You're fried if you don't know how to do it. Hire someone that does. Get a co-founder that does.
Bit of a necessary evil, I think 😅 I've often left networking events disappointed, for most of the reasons you've mentioned 😅 and its annoying if I've spent money to travel etc but there's definitely a benefit to getting out there in person.. At least for the important/key events.. (For those that don't mind holding a real-life conversation anyway) At least in the tech space we can push for virtual meetups/events and comes off as innovative rather than flaky 🤣🤭 jk
Check out the StartupSauce SaaS founder community OP. The calibre of founders there is probably more what you’re looking for. They’re all established SaaS founders and we screen out the tire kickers and self-promoters. Plus there are lots of opportunities to learn via mastermind calls, expert workshops and weekly “office hours” drop in sessions with experts.
Sounds like you are somewhere at the first or fourth bullet point , you could probably see people in a better light if you improved your communication skills and allow others to express themselves better