I started networking one year ago, fresh out of maternity leave and desperate to get back into the swing of things. A friend kept raving about it, so I figured, why not?

Spoiler: I hated it.

The First Event Was a Disaster

I walked into my first networking event and immediately felt like a wallflower. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, confidently working the room while I stood there feeling awkward and out of place. It was intimidating, and I left wondering if this whole "networking thing" just wasn't for me.

But I'm stubborn. So I tried again.

Then I Found Speed Networking (and Got Addicted)

The second event I tried was speed networking—one-on-one conversations. And suddenly, everything clicked. I loved it. I got to listen to people's pitches, learn what everyone was working on, and figure out how I could up my own game. It felt purposeful, not performative.

For a while, I thought I'd cracked the code. I kept going to events, kept meeting people, kept collecting business cards.

But then the pattern started.

When Your Kid Gets Sick Every Time You Network

Every single time I came back from a networking event, my son would fall sick. Call me superstitious, but I started to see the connection. I was so drained after these events that my body had nothing left to give. And kids? They pick up on that energy. He'd get sick, and I'd have no choice but to stop and rest.

It wasn't just physical exhaustion. I was leaving these events feeling unseen. Bitter, even. I'd meet all kinds of people, and I couldn't shake the feeling that they were sizing me up based on first impressions—how I looked, how I dressed, how I came across in a five-minute conversation. And honestly? That's fair. It's human nature. When you don't know someone, you judge by what you see. It's the same reason people come to me for branding—because first impressions matter.

But at the time, I wasn't showing up as the version of me I wanted to be. I didn't feel confident, and that bled into every conversation I had.

The Projector Energy

Here's the thing about being a ProjeI also started noticing something about the connections I was making. They weren't bad people—not at all. But the format itself meant conversations were short, surface-level. You get five minutes to pitch yourself, exchange a card, and move on. It's not shallow because people are shallow; it's shallow because that's just how it works.

And here's where I realised something important: I'm not someone who actively follows up with every person I meet, trying to turn them into a client. Maybe that's the "wrong" way to network, but I like it when things happen organically. I don't want to chase connections or force relationships that don't feel natural.

The other thing? I did get clients from networking. It's not like my closure rate was zero. But the people who found me online? They'd already seen my work. They'd already decided they liked my style. When they reached out, it was a 100% closure rate. Every single one became a client.

With networking, the closure rate was smaller—not because the people were wrong, but because we were meeting before they'd had a chance to see if my design style was even what they wanted. And that's a huge part of what I do. If someone likes me as a person but doesn't connect with my aesthetic, we're not a good fit. And that's okay.ctor in Human Design: we're not designed to hustle like Generators or Manifestors. We have about three hours of productive energy in a day. That's it.

For anyone unfamiliar with Human Design, it's a system that maps out your energetic blueprint based on your birth data. Projectors are one of five types, and we're designed to guide and direct others, not to work non-stop. We thrive when we're invited into opportunities, not when we're chasing them. And we need a lot of rest to function well.

So when I'd go to a networking event, my entire day was gone. And I'd need the next day to recover. That's two full days for a three-hour event. The maths wasn't mathing.

The Reality of Networking Connections

I also started noticing something about the connections I was making. They weren't bad people—not at all. But the format itself meant conversations were short, surface-level. You get five minutes to pitch yourself, exchange a card, and move on. It's not shallow because people are shallow; it's shallow because that's just how it works.

And here's where I realised something important: I'm not someone who actively follows up with every person I meet, trying to turn them into a client. Maybe that's the "wrong" way to network, but I like it when things happen organically. I don't want to chase connections or force relationships that don't feel natural.

The other thing? I did get clients from networking. It's not like my closure rate was zero. But the people who found me online? They'd already seen my work. They'd already decided they liked my style. When they reached out, it was a 100% closure rate. Every single one became a client.

With networking, the closure rate was smaller—not because the people were wrong, but because we were meeting before they'd had a chance to see if my design style was even what they wanted. And that's a huge part of what I do. If someone likes me as a person but doesn't connect with my aesthetic, we're not a good fit. And that's okay.

So Why Do I Still Go?

I'm not bitter about networking. I've made peace with the fact that it's not my primary client acquisition strategy, and it doesn't need to be.

But I still go to events, just way more selectively now.

Here's why:

I get to practise my pitch and refine how I talk about my work
I learn what other businesses are doing and what challenges they're facing
I get real-time market research, faster than scrolling online
Sometimes, having real conversations beats hiding behind a screen

Networking isn't where I get most of my clients. But it's where I learn, refine, and stay connected to what's happening in the business world around me.

The Permission You Might Need to Hear

If you're an introvert, a Projector, or just someone who's been forcing themselves to network because you think you should, here's what I want you to know:

There's no one "right" way to grow a business.

You don't have to show up to every event. You don't have to work the room. You don't have to drain yourself trying to fit a strategy that wasn't designed for how you're wired.

If networking feels good and energising? Do it. If it feels like you're dragging yourself through mud? Stop. There are other ways.

For me, the clients who come to me online are the ones who already get it. They've seen my work, they trust my process, and they're ready to invest. That's my sweet spot. Networking taught me that.

So if you want to try it, go ahead. Just know that it's okay to walk away if it's not serving you. You're not failing. You're just finding what works.

And that's the whole point.

What's been your experience with networking? I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether you're team "love it" or team "never again." Drop a comment or send me a message.