8 Ways to Turn One Networking Event Into New Business Opportunities
If you want to stop checking a box and start checking a pulse, here’s how you can turn a single Heels & Handshakes event — or any room you walk into 8 new opportunities.
I was going to give you five, but I’m an overachiever…and the last three were too good to leave off. 💁♀️
Because here’s the thing: the real networking doesn’t happen when you walk into the room. It happens after you leave it.
1. Digital Touchpoint
Within 24–48 hours of the event, connect with the people you met on LinkedIn or Instagram, you pick your social media of choice.
But please, for the love of networking, don’t send the generic “Great connecting with you!” message.
Reference something you actually talked about. A business goal. A shared interest. An inside joke.
Bonus points: Send a voice memo.
It takes a little more effort, which is exactly why it stands out.
2. Not Your Average Joe ☕
Think about the 2–3 people you met whose goals align with yours, whose businesses complement yours, or whose energy simply made you think, “I need to know this woman.”
Invite them to coffee. Yes, I said it. You are going to stand out, because not only did you follow up with a Digital Touch point, you took it to the next level and now you are inviting them meet and connect!
Virtual coffee counts. Local coffee counts. Fancy coffee counts. ☕
The goal isn’t to immediately pitch them. It’s to spend 30 minutes learning more about each other, your businesses, and how you might be able to support one another.
Because one conversation can lead to a collaboration, referral, introduction, client, friendship — or all of the above.
3. Stop, Collaborate and Listen ✋
Did you meet someone who serves a complementary audience?
There may be an opportunity to collaborate.
Think:
A joint Instagram Live
Co-hosting a workshop or webinar
Inviting them onto your podcast
Guest contributing to each other’s newsletters
Creating a shared resource or event
You don’t always have to compete for the same audience.
Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is share the audience.
4. If there was a problem, yo I’ll solve it..
Did someone mention they were struggling with a particular platform?
Looking for a venue?
Trying to hire a designer?
Searching for an accountant? Searching for Admin help? ( Raise your hand if you don’t do admin.)
Don’t just say, “Oh, I know someone!”
Follow up.
Send them the contact, tool, article, recommendation, or resource that could actually help solve their problem. Or better yet, connect them with another Heels & Handshakes member.
This is one of the easiest ways to become memorable because you’re not just another person they met at an event. You have helped them solve a problem.
You became useful.
5. Bust out the Rolodex.
When you meet someone new, think about who in your existing network needs to know this person.
And for those of you who have no idea what a Rolodex is… welcome to today’s history lesson.
A Rolodex was basically the OG CRM — a rotating desktop card file where people kept names, phone numbers, and addresses.
Before LinkedIn.
Before Google Contacts.
Before “I’ll just search our text messages.”
😂
Now, look through your modern-day Rolodex and ask yourself:
Look through your new connections and ask yourself:
“Who in my existing network needs to know this person?”
Maybe you met a photographer who would be perfect for your new friend’s upcoming brand shoot.
Maybe you met a business owner who needs the exact service someone in your network provides.
Make the introduction.
But first, ask both people if they have the bandwidth and interest before making the connection. Nobody wants to be surprised by a mystery email introduction.
Being a great networker isn't just about who you know.
It’s about who you’re willing to connect.
6. Social Shout-Out | Pic or It Didn’t Happen
Take a photo. Share a recap. Post a takeaway, not just the event itself.
Tag the people you met, the venue, and the event host.
And don’t just post, “Had so much fun tonight!”
Tell us something you learned, heard, or took away from a conversation.
Not only does this keep the conversation going, but event organizers love seeing attendees share their experience and there’s a good chance they’ll reshare your post, putting you in front of their audience, too.
One event can create content, connections, and visibility. ( oh hi content creator 👋)
Not bad for a couple of hours out of your calendar.
7. Want to Be My Plus One?
Don’t let the relationship disappear after one event. 👻
When you see the next Heels & Handshakes gathering pop up on the calendar, send a quick message to someone you met:
“Hey! I saw the next event is coming up on [Date]. Are you going? I’d love to grab a seat together!”
Walking into a room where you already know a few people makes networking a whole lot easier. Everyone likes having a familiar face waiting for them at registration.
8. The Power of the Follow Up
This one might be my favorite.
Add your new contacts to your CRM or contact list and make a few notes about the relationship. I’m talking write everything down. I can’t tell you what I ate for dinner last night, there is no way I am going to remember a conversation from a month ago.
Maybe they mentioned a business launch coming up.
A big vacation.
A new job.
A goal they’re working toward.
Then set yourself a reminder to check in 60–90 days later.
Not to sell them something.
Not to ask for a favor.
Just:
“Hey! You mentioned you were launching your new program around this time. How did it go?”
That is how you move from networking contact to real relationship.
And real relationships are where the good stuff happens.
The Bottom Line
Networking isn't about collecting contacts.
It’s about initiating relationships and being intentional enough to continue them.
So the next time you walk into a room, don’t measure the success of your networking by how many business cards you collected or how many people you met.
Instead, ask yourself:
Who am I going to follow up with?
Who can I help?
Who should I introduce?
Who do I want to see again?
Because when you walk away from an event with a plan instead of a stack of contacts, every handshake has the potential to become a conversation, every conversation can become a relationship, and every relationship can open a new door.
Ready for your next room full of opportunities?
Check out our Upcoming Events and grab your spot at the next Heels & Handshakes gathering.
We’ll see you in the room. 👠🤝