The Secret to Effective One-on-One Networking Meetings

You finally got the meeting. 🎉
You connected at the mixer. You followed up. You booked the Zoom. And now… you’re sitting there, staring at the screen (or across a table at Starbucks), thinking…

“So… what now?”

If your one-on-one meetings feel like awkward blind dates that lead nowhere, you’re not alone. Most people have never been taught how to have a networking meeting that actually works.

But the truth is, effective one-on-one networking meetings are the secret sauce of relationship-based business growth.

Let’s fix yours right now.


Know What You’re Looking For

Before you even hop on the call, you should have a solid idea of what you’re hoping to get out of it.

That doesn’t mean you’re showing up with a pitch deck and a square-jawed sales face.

It means you’re clear on what kind of connections you’re looking for:

  • Are you trying to meet event organizers?
  • Affiliates for your launch?
  • Referral partners for your $5K offer?

Whatever it is, know it—and be ready to articulate it in plain English. If you’re not sure how to position your offer for collaborators, your 8-second intro can help you dial that in.


Set the Stage Before the Meeting

Use a booking link like Calendly to streamline the process and make it professional. Want to take it to the next level? Include questions like:

  • “What are your business goals right now?”
  • “What kind of people are you hoping to meet?”
  • “What would make this call wildly valuable for you?”

Asking these before the meeting means you come in hot with relevant insights, thoughtful questions, and a sense of direction.

(Pro tip: Here’s how to set up that Calendly link like a pro. You’ll thank me later.)


Provide Value First. Always.

Here’s the part most people screw up. The purpose of a one-on-one is not to get something—it’s to give something.

And there are three magic ways to give value:

  • 🧠 Advice – Share a book, resource, or insight that helps them.
  • 🤝 Introduction – Connect them to someone relevant.
  • 🎯 Offer – But only if they’ve shown a need your offer solves.

Let’s say the person across from you is a coach who’s struggling to make consistent income. They mention they’re great at transformation but struggle with finding more clients or converting calls into cash. That’s when you might casually drop this:
“Hey, you ever heard of Rob Goyette’s Laser Coaching model? It’s a game-changer for coaches looking to boost revenue without burning out. I actually have a link to the free training he offers—worth a look.”

Boom. That’s value. You just gave them a resource that could solve a real problem—and they’ll remember you for it.


Take Notes, Follow Up, Be a Pro

Always follow up. Even if the meeting doesn’t result in fireworks, send a quick note:
“Great to connect. Let me know how I can support you.”

And if you promised a referral or link? Do it. Like, today. Following through is what separates the amateurs from the people who become legendary connectors. (And if your follow-up strategy could use some polish, this breakdown of how most people blow it is a must-read.)


Build Momentum, Not Just a Contact List

Effective one-on-one networking meetings aren’t transactional. They’re relationship seeds. Plant them right, and they grow into partnerships, collaborations, and opportunities.

You just have to know how to do it with intention, generosity, and clarity.


Want to Master Networking the Right Way?

The tips above are just a taste. If you want the full system—the one I’ve used to build an empire of powerful connections—you’ll want to grab my book:

👉 The Guy Who Knows A Guy’s Guide to Networking

No fluff. No scripts. Just a practical, powerful system for turning connections into opportunities.

Start showing up to your next one-on-one like a pro. The kind of pro people remember.

Why Your Follow-Up Strategy is Killing Your Network (And How to Fix It)

If your calendar is full of networking calls but your business isn’t growing, your follow-up strategy might be the problem. In fact, I’d say 90% of missed opportunities in networking don’t happen during the event — they happen after it.

That’s right. Your networking follow-up strategy may be slowly strangling your potential. But don’t worry. I’ve got your oxygen mask.

The Real Goal of Networking Is…?

Let’s back up. What’s the point of networking? (Spoiler: It’s not to collect business cards like Pokémon.)

Networking is about building real relationships — the kind that lead to referrals, partnerships, and growth. The key to that? Follow-up.

One brief conversation at a mixer does not a relationship make. You need follow-up — real follow-up. Not the “let’s stay in touch” kind that disappears into the void.

But most people never make it past “Nice meeting you.”

Let’s fix that.

Follow-Up That Builds Relationships

A good networking follow-up strategy does three things:

  1. Moves the connection forward
  2. Provides value
  3. Is intentional and repeatable

Let’s break those down.


1. Move the Connection Forward

Every interaction should have a next step.

After that initial call, do you book a follow-up in 30 days? Introduce them to someone? Invite them to your podcast or event? Share a resource?

You don’t always need to sell. In fact, you almost never should. The goal is momentum — keep the ball rolling.

That’s why I recommend creating a Calendly link (or similar scheduling tool) with smart intake questions. It helps you book that next step while keeping things organized.


2. Provide Value Right Away

During your first call, pay attention to what they need — then give it to them. Not a pitch. Not your offer. Actual value.

Three ways to do that?

  • A relevant introduction
  • A piece of advice
  • A resource or opportunity

For example, if someone mentions that they are confused by finance, you could share with them Penelope Jane Smith’s Financial Freedom 101. You’re not selling. You’re helping.

This is what makes people remember you. Not your elevator pitch. Not your clever tagline. But how helpful you were when they didn’t expect it.


3. Be Consistent (And Keep It Real)

You don’t need a CRM that rivals NASA. A spreadsheet, Google Calendar, or a whiteboard is fine — as long as you use it.

The key is to follow up with people you want in your network. If the call was a dud, let it go. But if there was potential, don’t let it die in the “we should do something sometime” zone.

And please — don’t be weird. Follow up like a human being. Remember something from your conversation. Share a relevant resource. Be yourself.


Your Network Is Only as Strong as Your Follow-Up

You’re not going to build a powerful, opportunity-generating network by accident. You need a networking follow-up strategy that works — one built on action, value, and consistency.

The best part? You don’t need to invent this from scratch. I wrote the book on it — literally.

👉 If this resonates and you want a clear, fun, and actionable guide to mastering the art of networking (and follow-up), grab your copy of The Guy Who Knows a Guy’s Guide to Networking right here.

Let’s fix your follow-up — and your network.

What Would You Choose? Is A Million Right?

Recently, I saw this image on Facebook…

Being a know-it-all, I assumed I know the “right” answer.

I shared my thoughts, and invited the thoughts of others, and discovered that I did find the right answer for me, but that it’s dependent on where one is in life.

My initial thought was that the $1,000,000 was the right way to go. With the 50/50 shot had a 50% chance of getting nothing, and the money, effectively deployed, could create massive traveling opportunities and give me the chance to hang out with whoever I wanted.

On further reflection, I’ve found that each choice is correct at a certain place in life.

$1 million in cash

This is a great choice… if you have the knowledge and discipline to use it correctly.

With that kind of money, you have money to pay the bills for long enough to effectively deploy the rest of the cash to develop additional assets.

However, there are some people for whom this would be a terrible choice.

If your thought is “I want a million bucks because I could buy a house and a car and take a vacation,” then you shouldn’t choose this.

Why? Because you want to buy liabilities.

When the money is spent, you’ll find yourself worse off than before. That house will need maintenance and incur taxes. The car will cost taxes and require maintenance.

Likewise, if you already have over a million dollars in assets, then the million is just your next million.

50% Chance of Winning $200,000,000

A comment from a real estate investor friend made me realize the value of this choice. His worth is over a million dollars, so a million dollars would just be another million.

If he lost this bet, he’d still be in good shape, and if he won it, it would take him straight to the next level.

On the other hand, for someone who doesn’t have wealth, the downside risk doesn’t make sense.

Hang Out With The Richest Person on Earth for Three Years

If you know what to do with a million dollars, then you could leverage that into increasing wealth and it would give you the opportunity to hang out with whomever you want.

However, if you’re still in the place where you think about buying liabilities rather than assets with the money, spending time with the rich person would teach you how to use money to create wealth rather than to get things.

One person commented that they’d want to be paid to hang out with the rich person, which completely missed the point. People waste hundreds of thousands of dollars to get “education” at college, but they wouldn’t take the opportunity to get the massive opportunity of hanging out with the right people for free.

Heck, if you have the opportunity to carry the bags of a billionaire in exchange for hanging out with them and no pay, that’s still a fantastic deal.

Lifetime of Traveling For Free

At first I thought this one didn’t fit. I thought it was a wrong choice, but I recognized two scenarios in which this would make sense.

The first is for someone who is very young and immature. If you are not in a place where you would recognize or appreciate what the rich person could teach you, the travel gives you the opportunity to develop that maturity.

The other is someone who is just done. Life has beaten you down so much that you just want to go on vacation forever.

This is the one of the four options that does not directly lead to the next level of opportunity. However, it makes sense for someone who either isn’t prepared to receive and leverage the other three, or someone for whom this is the final step they’re seeking.

What do you think?

Do you agree with this reasoning?

What would you choose?

Business Advice From the Pulpit

Most days I send out a letter by email with some tips and resources. This is the one from July 19th, 2022.

This past Sunday, I went to church as I often do on Sundays, and I was surprised to find that the lectionary reading echoed something that I’ve been saying on my Morning Motivation podcast for a while now.

I talk a lot about how everyone has been given particular talents and passions. By pursuing those gifts, one will find purpose, joy, meaning, and, quite likely, financial success.

Check this out:

Continue reading “Business Advice From the Pulpit”

Bert Oliva, Make It Happen – Interview #107

Bert Oliva is a Leadership Expert. He is sought after by companies all over the world for his passion, his knowledge and his infectious spirit. He is a Leadership Expert that has transformed lives and helped many to find their human potential.

Bert is an international orator and motivational teacher. He has authored books, developed multiple training programs and coached executives to increase their bottom line. Bert focuses on helping companies and individuals tap into their greatness by teaching them leadership, communication and helping to improve their overall performance.

www.MeetBert.com

Continue reading “Bert Oliva, Make It Happen – Interview #107”

Phil Gerbyshak, Speaker, Podcaster, Pinball Wizard – Interview #106

Phil Gerbyshak works with small businesses to use social and virtual selling to increase their profitability, productivity and performance, with speaking, training and coaching programs delivered virtually, in-person and hybrid. He’s written 5 books, and his 6th book, Virtual Selling Essentials, will be available in the first quarter of 2022. When he’s not doing all things sales, he’s a husband, and a bonus dad to two kiddos and two dogs. Please welcome sales speaker, sales podcaster and pinball wizard Phil Gerbyshak to the show.

414-640-7445
LinkedIn: Phil Gerbyshak
phil@philgerbyshak.com

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Morning Motivation

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Michael Buzinski, Buzzworthy Website Marketing – Interview #104

Michael Buzinski, President & CMO of Buzzworthy Website Marketing, is a lifelong entrepreneur, digital marketing thought leader, and best-selling author. Dubbed a “visionary marketer” by the American Marketing Association, Michael’s sole mission is to help entrepreneurs avoid the time drain and frustration of managing profitable digital marketing campaigns. Buzz, as most call him, has simplified digital marketing success with The Rule of 26 and is on a mission to double the website revenue of service-centric businesses across America.

linkedin.com/in/michaelbuzinksi

IG @michael.buzinski

website: buzzworthy.biz

Join us in our community:
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Check out my daily motivation podcast:
Morning Motivation

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Jay Fairbrother, The Profit Architects – Interview #103

Jay Fairbrother is a serial entrepreneur, coach and consultant with 30+ years of experience in starting, scaling, buying and selling businesses. He is a licensed Sales Coach and Sales Trainer, as well as a Peer Group Facilitator. Jay is also the Executive VP of Chapters for the Global Leaders Organization (GLO), and his job is to recruit Chairs and start Chapters all over the world.


Jay’s story includes losing everything in the 2010 financial crisis and rising from the ashes.


He has years of experience presenting online, doing webinars to sell products and services and in being interviewed for various publications and media. He knows how to add value to listeners and engage them with stories and anecdotes. Jay also offers affiliate commissions for his products and services.


Jay’s focus now is on helping entrepreneurs profit more… period. Whether through improving sales skills to convert more prospects already in the pipeline, or through making small incremental changes that can have a huge impact on profits, Jay customizes his coaching and consulting with each business owner based on their goals. More growth usually means more headaches. More profits can mean more money in your pocket or more personal freedoms or making the world a better place or selling your business… but none of that happens without Profits.


His WHY derives from reinventing himself and committing to helping other entrepreneurs avoid his failures, mistakes and lessons learned.


His mission over the next decade is to help 100 entrepreneurs to each add six-figures in profits to their businesses.

www.TheProfitArchitects.com

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Check out my daily motivation podcast:
Morning Motivation

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Lisa Santiago McNeill – Interview #102

Lisa Santiago McNeill is the coaches coach: coach and publisher.
Born in NYC, raised in the Bronx, Lisa lives in Charlotte, NC with her amazing purpose partner and husband, Brian K. McNeill. From beginning to end her story is about PURPOSE. Yours, hers and ours. There is a time and a purpose and a season for everything under the sun. She has experienced life from so many different vantage points and in each age and stage of her life she has decided to move forward and make the BEST out of every situation.

Lisa Santiago McNeill overcome childhood abuse and molestation, being a runaway at 13, dropping out of school at 16, using drugs and being used for her body to go on to a 20 year career at IBM, starting after-school program for children, to finally leave it all, write her book, Discovering Your Why: A Journey to Wholeness and help other women to find their inner strength and power.

She is now a successful 6 figure coach and publisher, having helped over 90 authors tell their stories of overcoming and stand in the power of their truth.

We are not WHAT we are because of our past. We are WHO we are because of it.


FB, IG, LI, YT Lisa Santiago McNeill
iamlisasantiago.com
The Empowerment Duo – M-F 9 AM – live on FB and LI
@theempowermentduo

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Morning Motivation

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Ramesh Dewangan, Quantum Vision Consulting – Interview #98

Ramesh Dewangan is the Founder and CEO of Quantum Vision Consulting, helping experienced professionals become successful and confident leaders!

Ramesh has spent over three decades in the high-tech industry-leading global teams in software development, product management, and marketing. He has launched several new high-tech products, has worked with customers, vendors, and partners to increase the product footprint. He is an MBA from Haas School of Business, Berkeley.

As a certified coach, speaker, and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, he provides leadership and personal development services, accelerating personal and professional growth for the experienced professionals. He has facilitated several webinars and mastermind sessions on personal and leadership development.

Ramesh is a Distinguished Toastmasters from Toastmasters International, the highest achievement in their public speaking program.

Email: ramesh@quantumvisionconsulting.com
Website: https://quantumvisionconsulting.com
My leadership course just launched: https://quantumvision.influencersoft.com/LEB-2.0
Subscribe to my newsletter, download a Guide on leadership: https://quantumvision.influencersoft.com/qvc-opt-in1

Mentor networks:
The Mentors Studio – Speakers/Podcasting/entrepreneurs/business: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452017255824008
PushFar · Mentoring Platform & Professional Career Progression Platform

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Morning Motivation

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