Networking Events Are a Scam, Unless You Do This

Hey,

You’re killing yourself at networking events, aren’t you? You show up, fake a smile, trade business cards with people who’ll never call. You leave feeling like you just wasted three hours of your life. Sound familiar? You’re stuck in a room full of professionals, all pretending they’ve got it together, while you’re drowning in small talk. It’s exhausting. You’re not building a network, you’re just collecting paper. Most people walk away from these events with nothing but a headache.

Here’s the deal: networking events are a trap. They’re built to make you feel busy, not successful. Everyone’s there to grab something, a lead, a job, a favor. It’s a room of takers, not givers. You’re not making connections, you’re just another face in the crowd. The real issue? You’re focused on what you can get, not what you can offer. Nobody remembers the guy with the slick pitch. They remember the one who solved their problem.

So, change the game. Walk into that event with one mission: help someone without expecting a thing. Listen hard, ask real questions, find their pain. Then deliver something useful, a contact, an idea, a resource. Don’t shove your card in their face. Follow up with more value, no strings attached. This isn’t about being nice, it’s about being memorable.

BU (Be You) the real unfiltered you
— Andy

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P.S. If you’re still collecting business cards like Pokemon cards, you’re doing it wrong. Stop chasing clout. Start making a difference.