Let’s set the scene:
You walk into a networking event.
You’re armed with a coffee, a lanyard, and a smile that says, “I’m totally fine!”
Inside? Mild panic.
The good news: you’re not alone.
The better news? You can do something about it.
Let’s bust the three biggest lies we tell ourselves at events and explore smarter ways to actually make the connections we say we’re here for.
Lie #1: “I’ll Follow Up Later”
This one’s a classic.
You meet someone cool. You have a vibey conversation. Maybe you even exchange LinkedIn profiles on the spot.
Then… nothing.
No message. No follow-up. No clue what their name was by Wednesday.
Let’s be real:
- “Later” = never.
- The moment fades.
- The opportunity? Lost in the post-event black hole.
A smarter move:
- Follow up within 24 hours. Keep it casual: “Hey [Name], loved our convo about [Topic]. Let’s keep in touch.”
- Add a note about who they were and why they stood out. Your future self will thank you.
Bonus tip? Tools like MatchPoint can help you track and tag those convos while they’re happening. No memory gymnastics required.
Lie #2: “I Just Go With the Flow”
A noble sentiment.
Also… a sneaky excuse to hide by the cheese platter.
“Going with the flow” usually means waiting for someone else to make the first move, while secretly hoping for a miracle that usually doesn’t comes.
Reality check:
- You end up talking to the same type of people every time.
- You miss real opportunities.
- You leave wondering, “Did I… actually network?”
What works better?
- Scan the attendee list (if available). Know who you’d love to meet.
- Plan one sentence that describes you (without sounding like a resume).
- Carry a question. Try: “What are you hoping to get out of today?”
“What’s your favorite thing you’ve worked on this year?”
When you show up with curiosity (not a pitch), connection follows.
Lie #3: “If It’s Meant to Be, We’ll Connect”
Romantic. Poetic.
Also: the quickest way to leave an event with zero follow-ups and one very full inbox of “missed connections.”
Waiting for the universe to match you with the right people is like trying to find your soulmate in a food court.
What actually helps:
- Be proactive. If someone sparked interest? Reach out. Say something. Book a follow-up.
- Make it easy to stay in touch. Whether it’s LinkedIn, email, or MatchPoint, close the loop before the momentum dies.
- Use tech that matches you intelligently. No more praying for accidental run-ins.
🧠 The Pattern Here?
Each of these lies is rooted in the same thing:
Avoiding the discomfort of being intentional.
But intentionality doesn’t have to feel forced or fake.
It can be thoughtful, curious, warm—and yes, a little bit fun.
So… What Should Networking Look Like?
Imagine walking into an event and already knowing who you want to talk to.
Imagine having conversation starters baked into your experience.
Imagine follow-up that doesn’t make you sweat.
That’s not a fantasy. It’s just… smarter design.
That’s what we built with MatchPoint.
🎯 Want to Stop Pretending? Start Connecting.
We built MatchPoint to help real people make real connections. Without the awkward scripts, lost contacts, or “Oops, forgot to follow up” moments.
👉 Download MatchPoint and make your next event feel like it actually worked.
TL;DR
- Don’t wait to follow up—do it within 24 hours.
- Don’t “go with the flow”—have a conversation plan.
- Don’t rely on fate—use tools to connect with intention.
Networking doesn’t have to suck.
You just need a better strategy and maybe a little help from something like MatchPoint.