One of my 2025 Bingo Card goals is to attend more networking events both in person and online. And in the first two months of this year I’ve been to SEVEN in person, group networking events (with two more happening this week).

And I’ve noticed a lot.

Some good, some not-so-good, and honestly some really bad mistakes people tend to make at networking events that impact their connections and outcomes.

---

The top 3 mistakes I see people make at networking events (and what to do instead)

❌ Mistake #1: Not having a clear goal
Why are you at this networking event? What’s the best thing you could walk out with?
The Problem: If you don’t know what you’re hoping to get out of networking, your conversations will be directionless and forgettable, and you’ll walk away saying the whole thing was a waste of time.
✅ The Fix: Define your goal before you walk in. Do you want more clients? A mentor? Speaking opportunities? Your goal shapes how you interact and who you connect with.

This doesn’t have to be a grand plan. Sometimes I go to events to just to get outside my bubble, meet new people, and learn about leaders in my community. Other times my goal is to meet potential clients, so I focus my conversations with specific people, like event planners.

---

❌ Mistake #2: Talking too much about yourself
📌 The Problem: A lot of people think networking is about selling themselves, but the best connectors lead with curiosity and make others feel seen.
✅ The Fix: Instead of launching into a sell or your life story, ask thoughtful questions:

• What’s your favorite part of what you do?
• What’s something you’re looking for help with right now?
• What’s a strength or passion you have that you don’t get to use in your current role?
• What’s something you want to learn or get more experience in?
• What’s your dream job?

This makes the conversation more engaging, makes you more memorable, and helps you learn ways to add value. (Also, you should know these answers for yourself, but we’ll cover that in mistake #3.)

Even (especially) if your goal IS to get more clients, talking about yourself too much is not going to help you with that goal.

Two times I saw this mistake front-and-center:

1. At one of the events I attended recently, we went around the room doing intros, and without guidance it went off-the-rails quickly. Some people gave a 30-second “name and title” intro, and others used it as an opportunity to sell their services, talking for 5 minutes about themselves and passing brochures around the room. This wasn’t the time or place. In a room of 40+ people, the intros took half the allotted event/training time, and I watched the organizer get more and more antsy. So, know your audience, and be respectful to the room. This applies to the whole room intros, as well as smaller conversations. Strike a balance of talking and listening.
2. At a smaller event, as soon as the around-the-room intros were over, a woman bee-lined to me and the first question she asked was if I’d had boudoir photos taken before. From there it felt like every answer I gave was an invitation for her to start selling from another angle. It was awkward. (And this didn’t have anything to do with her service or product, but the way I felt so “sold to.”)

---

❌ Mistake #3: Not having your elevator pitch ready
Okay, listen, I hate the term “elevator pitch” as much as the next person, but you’ve got to be able to articulate what you want to be known for…which is not always the same as what you DO.
📌 The Problem: If someone asks, “What do you do?” and your answer is vague or generic, you miss the chance to create connection and spark ideas for opportunities. Or maybe 90% of your job is working in Excel, but you don’t want to see another spreadsheet in your life, don’t talk about that.
✅ The Fix: Your “elevator pitch” isn’t just a job title or what you DO—it’s a personal branding statement that should connect to your strengths and passions and highlight what you want to do more of/be known for.

The framework I teach in my “Crafting Your Strengths-Based Personal Brand” workshop is:
I’m (name and what you want to be known for). I help (audience) (problem you solve) with/by/through/without (your unique approach/solution).

✔ Highlights what you love doing (not just what you do)
✔ Clarifies who you serve (and the impact you make)
✔ Makes it easy for others to connect the dots on how they can help you

EXAMPLES
My name is Micha Nortel, spreadsheet wizard. Through my online video series, “Learn Excel in 30-seconds” I teach non-tech-savvy people how to use Excel without throwing their laptop out the window.

I’m Sabina Kohl, Marketing Queen. I help women entrepreneurs stand out in their industry by using creative storytelling. Ask me to tell you the story about the time my cat got me a promotion.

My name is Jens Farber, award-winning trainer on public speaking. I help introverts craft authentic, TED-talk-worthy presentations by uncovering their core fears. P.S. One of my fears is finding a spider in my shoe.

---

❌ Bonus Mistake: Not following up (letting that great chat just fade away)
The Problem: You know how awesome conversations at events often just kind of…fizzle out? If you don’t reach out soon after, you risk being forgotten. The real magic happens after the event!
✅ The Fix: Send a short LinkedIn message, Instagram DM, or email within 48 hours (whichever is best for your audience). If you can share something that helps that person (based on what they told you they need help with or want to learn), you’re going to stand out. And it doesn’t have to be something big; it can be an article, or an offer to introduce them to someone in your network. That keeps the energy going, reminds them who you are, and shows you’re genuinely interested in staying connected.

I will often add people to either LinkedIn or Instagram while I’m still AT THE EVENT with a quick note, “Great to connect at the ABC event!” That way it’s saved in my history of where I met this person. And if it’s a person I’d really like to keep in my network or develop a relationship with, then I’ll send that helpful follow-up within a few days, or an invitation to a virtual or in-person coffee chat.

Final note: Don’t get caught up in the “What’s in it for me?” mindset. Yes, have a goal, and also the intention of being reciprocal. Forget the pressure to impress. True networking is about authentic connection and creating a community where you help each other succeed.

Did I miss any networking mistakes that annoy you?

Happy networking,
– Nicole