How to Succeed Online Without the Clutter: 20 Tips from the Experts

For aspiring leaders, networking can feel like a chore rather than a rewarding opportunity. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. Networking frustrations often stem from old-fashioned methods like trade shows, short speeches, and the pressure to “sell yourself.”

When done with purpose and preparation, networking is an effective way to build lasting relationships and open the door to future collaborations. Below, 20 members of the Forbes Coaches Council share practical strategies for making meaningful connections, building relationships, and leaving a lasting impression—all without the hassle—to help young professionals navigate life’s events with less stress and more confidence.

1. Always provide value first

Avoid showmanship; focus on providing value. Building a good network starts with understanding others: their business, their goals, and their problems. Ask open-ended questions, listen more than words, and pay attention to what is not being said. Then add value. Share your ideas, recommend a tool, or connect them with someone who can help.

If you consistently offer help first, you will be known as a memorable expert. This is how you will build real relationships and influence. - Carlos Hoyos, Elite Leadership School

2. Try to make meaningful connections

Start looking at these social events as networking opportunities. Be willing to share, chat, and collaborate with others. Ask thoughtful questions and try to make meaningful connections rather than trying to get along with everyone there. - Hanneke Antonelli, Hanneke Antonelli Coaching

3. Get to the root of your feelings

Understand where the feeling of resentment is coming from, acknowledge it, and move on. It often comes from a sense of inferiority. This is natural in this day and age. Understand the bias and think about it. Remember, we all start with a blank slate and try to embrace the growth mindset rather than the negative. You need to be there. Take advantage of this opportunity. -Carrie-Anne Barrow, Strategy Scaling

4. Reach out ahead of time to schedule a time.

If social media scares you, attend an event or social gathering and ask someone else who will be attending and is interested in the things you are thinking about. Not only will this help you make connections before the event, but it will also give you the opportunity to talk to people during the event. - Sande Schneider-Bean, Sande Schneider-Bean GmbH
The Forbes Coaching Council is an invitation-only community of business leaders and career coaches. Am I qualified to do this?

5. Honesty is more important than short conversations

Networking is all about building relationships. "Bad" things come from being socially inept (like small talk and fake smiles). Instead, show genuine interest in people you like and admire, and then relax enough to talk to them. - Joel Jay, Joel K. Jay
6. Focus on good conversations, not numbers
When you participate in social events, avoid using the "inside job" strategy. That means you'll leave behind a few business cards and a lot of memorable names. Instead, you can focus on having one or two interesting and meaningful conversations that lay the groundwork for potential future relationships. Networking shouldn't be a numbers game, it should be a relationship-building activity. — Chris Harris, Chris Harris LLC

7. Find out what really motivates people you know

Think of networking events as an opportunity to find out what really motivates people, whether it’s their work, hobbies, or passions. Put aside the media hype, be interesting, and open up. Focus on discovering something new about each person you meet. Try to listen a lot and talk a little, and let curiosity guide the conversation. - Susan Curtin, Insights4results, LLC

8. Be intentional in your preparation and ask thought-provoking questions

Good social interaction requires action and intention. Prepare ahead of time by thinking of questions you can ask others about themselves. Be interested in others and why they are there. Ask a lot and listen a lot, talk a little and say a little. Find out what they might be interested in about the meeting or the project. The goal of participating is to learn and share information that you can give to others. - Christine Alvarez, Your Next Future

9. Lead with desire, not sales pitch

Social media should be less about what you share about yourself and more about how you interact with and learn from others. Think of the web from a holistic perspective as a genuine curiosity for learning. This can help you stick to your goals without feeling “icky” or fake. The more you seek to understand others, the more others will seek to understand you. —Katie Anderson, Katie Anderson Consulting

10. Take action to reduce your stress

The key word is “avoid”: avoiding something means you are making a conscious decision to avoid it. So you acknowledge the “bad” feeling and decide to take action. Taking action can reduce stress. Instead of dwelling on your feelings, focus on what you want to accomplish through the relationship. - Sandra Balogun, CPA Manager