I used to think networking events were a waste of time but one cold call changed my mind

I avoided local business mixers for like 2 years because I figured everyone was just there to hand out business cards. Then I got a random cold call from a guy who found me through a referral from someone I met at a chamber breakfast. He had a $5k project that matched exactly what I do. I was honestly surprised because I thought those events were just for bankers and real estate agents. Now I go to one a month and just focus on actually talking to people instead of collecting cards. Has anyone else had a random connection come from a place they didn't expect?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel8572mo ago

That "you could have gotten it elsewhere" argument always misses something though. I've noticed how random connections ALWAYS trace back to showing up somewhere and just being there. My buddy got a huge contract because he happened to grab coffee at the same place as a guy whose landlord was looking for a handyman. The small talk was what started it, not the actual task. People underestimate how much loose threads tie into bigger things when you keep putting yourself in the mix.

logan2052mo ago

Yeah but that cold call still came from a referral you got at the mixer, not from the event itself. You could have gotten that same referral from a casual coffee meetup or even a LinkedIn message.

oliver_wilson491mo ago

Wait wait wait @daniel857 you're telling me your boy got a whole contract just because he happened to be at the same coffee shop at the same time as some random guy? lmao thats wild. I mean sure the small talk part makes sense but like what are the odds that the one dude he talks to also knows a landlord needing a handyman? thats some next level serendipity right there. I swear some people just have that luck where the universe hands them opportunities on a silver platter while the rest of us are stuck sending out cold emails into the void lol.