9 Tips for Extending Introductions When Networking

Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Networking and Making New Acquaintances

Navigating the networking landscape can be daunting, but equipping oneself with the right strategies can make all the difference. Here are valuable tips from industry experts to extend introductions and forge meaningful connections.

Actively Listen and Personalize Follow-Ups
When building a professional network, whether online or offline, always actively listen during the initial conversation and use what you learn to create a personalized follow-up. Don’t just focus on talking about what you do-take the time to ask questions and really listen to what the other person is passionate about. For instance, if someone mentions they’re working on a specific project or have a particular challenge, make note of it and refer back to it when you reconnect. This shows that you genuinely care about their work and helps you stand out from others who may simply be collecting business cards. In terms of extending the introduction, always follow up within a day or two with a reference to your conversation. For example, if you discussed digital marketing strategies, send a quick message like, “It was great talking about SEO best practices with you. If you’re ever looking to exchange ideas or need help on any SEO challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out.” Personalizing your follow-up makes it clear that you’re interested in maintaining the connection, not just expanding your network for its sake. It makes the interaction feel authentic and increases the chances of forming a real professional relationship.
Sean Clancy, Managing Director, SEO Gold Coast

Leverage Shared Experiences for Authentic Connections
When building a professional network, I focus on personalized outreach and authenticity. I’ve successfully expanded our client base by directly engaging with event planners offline and on social media platforms. This approach not only showcased our services but also fostered genuine relationships, as illustrated by securing several high-profile wedding contracts through collaborative efforts on Instagram. To extend introductions effectively, I recommend leveraging shared experiences. We often invite potential partners and clients to experience our services firsthand, promoting a deeper understanding of our business values. For instance, providing complimentary rides to event organizers has resulted in partnerships and referrals because they experienced our commitment to quality and service excellence personally.
Keep an eye on local events and industry meet-ups. Supporting or attending these events can organically broaden your network. Participating in a local Columbus bridal expo enabled me to personally connect with wedding planners and photographers, turning brief introductions into lasting partnerships. These face-to-face interactions, supplemented by consistent follow-ups, can transform initial meetings into significant professional relationships.
- Allison Andrews, Director of Sales & Marketing, Limitless Limo

Engage Through Value-Driven Interactions
In my experience, the most effective way to extend introductions in professional networking is through value-driven engagements. When launching, I built our network by showcasing our unique value proposition — premium marketing services at a fraction of the cost. This clear differentiation not only attracted attention but also positioned us as a valuable partner in the marketing space. I prioritize transparency and tangible results when reaching out. Our campaign for optimizing clients’ SEO involved sharing initial insights and strategic plans upfront. By offering immediate value and actionable advice, we engaged potential partners and clients who appreciated the honesty and expertise, resulting in long-lasting professional relationships. Follow-through with actionable insights is crucial. After a successful campaign, like our lead generation for SMEs, I ensure to share performance analytics and growth stories with our network. This keeps the engagement alive and demonstrates our commitment to mutual success, encouraging ongoing connections and potential referrals.
- Stephen Dominic Giuttari, Founder & CEO, Market Boxx

Lead with Value and Follow Up
Building a professional network, whether online or offline, hinges on the ability to create genuine connections. In my experience founding my company, I leveraged a key technique: always leading with value. Early in my career, while working on counterintelligence operations, I made it a point to share insights and actionable intelligence strategies with law enforcement and intelligence professionals, which naturally extended my network. One effective strategy is to participate in shared interest groups or industry forums, where discussions are centered around topics you’re passionate about. For instance, I frequently engage with communities focused on cybersecurity and investigations, offering insights on tackling human trafficking — a subject I’ve extensively worked on. This has not only introduced me to other professionals but has also positioned me as a go-to resource. Lastly, always follow up with a personalized note or message after the initial introductions, referencing specifics from your initial conversation. This demonstrates attentiveness and establishes a strong foundation for future collaboration. Doing this has led me to form valuable partnerships and collaborations that fuel our growth today.
- Joshua McAfee, CEO & Founder, McAfee Institute

Focus on Genuine Connections and Shared Interests
My best tip for extending introductions when building a professional network, whether online or offline, is to focus on genuine connections and shared interests. Instead of making a conversation purely transactional, find common ground that builds rapport. In Salado, where relationships matter, I often introduce myself by sharing my family’s long history in the area and my commitment to serving the community. This helps establish trust and opens the door for a deeper conversation. A great way to extend an introduction is by following up with something meaningful. If I meet someone in person at a local business event, I’ll send a quick follow-up email or message referencing something specific we discussed. Online, I engage with their content or introduce them to someone in my network who shares similar goals. By making introductions personal and adding value, relationships naturally grow into long-term connections. - Wesley Friedrich, Storage Facility Owner, Salado Eagle Storage

Bridge Connections Between Others
My effective tactic is to bridge connections between others. If I meet someone who could benefit from knowing another contact in my network, I make the introduction without hesitation. This positions me as someone who brings value rather than someone who is just looking to gain from the relationship. A simple, “I think you two would have a lot to discuss on [topic],” is often enough to spark a productive conversation. Making introductions in a way that benefits both parties helps build trust and naturally expands my professional network. - Tom Hamilton Stubber, Managing Director, TutorCruncher

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity in Networking
When building a professional network, I focus on quality over quantity. It’s vital to create genuine connections by engaging in meaningful conversations. Instead of handing out business cards left and right, I aim to establish a connection first. If the conversation flows well and there’s mutual interest, then an exchange of contact details becomes natural and more effective. I also emphasize the importance of open-ended questions. When I meet potential contacts, whether online or offline, I ask questions that encourage them to share about their business and challenges. This helps me understand their needs and see how our business can align. A question like, “What challenges are you facing in your industry?” often opens doors for deeper connections. Starting small with community partnerships has been a strategic move for me. By collaborating on smaller projects, I gained valuable experience and established a track record, making future networking and partnership opportunities more fruitful. This approach helps in building relationships that are not just transactional but valuable and long-term.
- Amber Bigler Newman, Director of Marketing, Phone.com

Research and Personalize Your Introductions
When it comes to extending introductions while building a professional network online and offline, I recommend not going in blindly. Do more than just skim research on the person you’re introducing yourself to. Take a few minutes to understand their background, interests, or recent achievements. Highlight an accomplishment or something about them that impresses you, like their work with, for example, Habitat for Humanity or their technological skill set, such as being a Scrum Master. You can also mention a shared interest or mutual connection to make the introduction feel more natural. By doing so, you give them the opportunity to elaborate, which sets a warm and pleasant introductory tone. This approach establishes genuine engagement and makes it easier to build a meaningful connection. It’s much better than, “Hi, I’m so-and-so, and you are?” or just leading with your name and a handshake, as it’s much harder to pivot from there. Instead, starting with a thoughtful remark or a relevant question encourages a more engaging conversation, in the end strengthening your professional network. - Doreen Nunez, Founder, Mommy Rheum

Connect on Shared Interests and Sincerity
Whenever I meet someone new, whether it’s online or face-to-face, I always take a moment to find out about their job and mention things that really connect with them right from the start. To give you an example, if we have shared friends or shared goals, I’ll highlight those in our conversation. It shows I’ve put in the effort to get to know them beyond a basic hello. I’ve found that being sincere is important for making these networking moments count. Before meeting someone, I read about their social media or any articles they’ve written to understand what they’re all about. This prep work helps me personalize my messages, whether I’m reaching out on LinkedIn or following up after a conversation. This builds a foundation for relationships that can lead to great projects and ideas together.
If you’re looking to grow your connections, here’s my advice: pay close attention to what others are passionate about. Make your interactions about more than exchanging business cards, and make those connections count by building relationships that go deeper than the usual network chatter. - Brent Thurman, Owner, Keystone Insurance