Top 3 Tips to Get Clients from Networking Without ‘Selling’

Most people join networking meetings hoping to get clients — yet very few know how to turn conversations into actual opportunities.

And it’s the truth:

Clients don’t come from pitching.

Clients come from positioning.

In online networking especially, the way you introduce yourself, support others, and follow up determines whether people remember you… or forget you the moment the meeting ends.

I’ve tried and tested loads and loads of different ways of introducing myself over hundreds of networking hours promoting my own businesses over the years and I now share that experience with the members of my Global Business Networking LIVE Online events.

…and I’m excited to say, participants appreciate my very different networking event format!

For example, one person said: “The guided discussions make it easy to contribute without selling.”

So, today, I’m sharing the Top 3 Tips that consistently help business owners attract clients naturally, confidently, and authentically.

 

Tip 1: Start With ONE Clear Outcome You Help Achieve

Your introduction is your most powerful client attraction tool — but only when it’s specific, memorable, and focused.

Too many people waste their intro time listing services, roles, and credentials… when the only thing your audience actually needs to know is:

What outcome do you help people achieve?

This is why I recommend preparing a written introduction script for online networking.

No one sees your notes — and using a script allows you to deliver the same powerful message every time.

This same principle of staying specific, memorable, and focused applies to your LinkedIn profile, for example, and Lynnaire Johnston of Link-Ability gives us all the latest details around that in her blog post ‘How to Stay Visible When AI Levels the Playing Field’, under that section: Choose your lane and stay there.

You can read the post by clicking here.

 

Tip 2: Support Someone in the Room (It Builds Instant Trust)

Most people try to sell themselves at networking events.

But the fastest way to attract clients is actually the opposite:

Shine a light on someone else.

You can:

• Offer a small resource, checklist, or cheat sheet

• Mention something you admired about their introduction

• Give a quick testimonial (“You explained that so clearly!” “You’re very easy to talk to.”)

 

This positions you as thoughtful, attentive, confident — and trustworthy.

…and I know from experience that your own confidence can be hugely increased using this approach…

For example, in the early days in business where networking was usually ‘in the room’, you know, you had to spend time to drive there, find a spot to park the car, then prepare mentally to walk into the room full of strangers…

Walking in with my eyes on someone I found attractive, I would walk up to that person and start with a compliment.

The person felt good and I felt good.

Win – Win!

That good feeling raised my confidence and it was much easier to speak to others.

How do you do that in an online room?

When you attend one of my Global Business Networking LIVE Online events simply arrive in the zoom room 10min early and you’ll have time to speak to me and others.

It really makes a difference to come BEFORE the actual starting time, when networking at my events.

 

Tip 3: Listen Carefully — Then Explore Collaboration Opportunities

The biggest mistake most networkers make?

They only listen to others so they can respond with their introduction.

But strategic networkers:

Listen for alignment, collaboration, and opportunity.

When you hear someone describe their expertise and it complements yours, follow up after the event:

“Would you like to explore doing a joint interview?”

“Would you like to speak at one of my events?”

“Could we collaborate on a topic together?”

This builds relationships, visibility, and authority — all at once.

Think of it this way:

Networking is like gardening.

If you plant seeds and walk away, nothing grows.

But if you water, nurture, and revisit them… gardens flourish.

Collaborations are the water.

They turn introductions into partnerships.

I’ve got several members, for example, who gain collaboration opportunities at EVERY event because they are listening.

They follow up immediately and already start asking more questions when we do use break-out rooms after our LIVE appearance.

Final Thought: Networking Attracts Clients Through Consistency, Not Chance

Clients aren’t found by accident.

They are created through:

• A clear introduction

• A generous presence

• And thoughtful follow-up

Whether you network casually or globally, these three tips will help you stand out and stay memorable — the two ingredients that turn conversations into clients.

And if you want a networking environment designed specifically to help you turn conversations into collaborations, opportunities and clients…

Join us at the next Global Business Networking LIVE Online event —

…and if you wonder what makes it so different, take a look at what others are saying about it Click Here and scroll down the page a bit.

 

Article Written by Sigrid de Kaste, Creator of Global Business Networking LIVE Online and Founder of Stickybeak Marketing.