Why Making Time for Networking Is the Smartest Marketing Move You Can Make

You know, there’s one challenge almost every business owner, consultant, coach, and expert faces — no matter how long they’ve been in business:

Finding the time to build meaningful connections.

• Not surface-level connections.
• Not quick likes.
• Not “nice to meet you” conversations that never go anywhere.

I’m talking about genuine, strategic relationships — the kind that lead to referrals, collaborations, speaking invitations, and clients across borders.

And yet, this is the one area many business owners struggle to give consistent attention to. They want better opportunities, but they don’t give networking the structure, the priority, or the visibility required to create those outcomes.

But here’s the truth I want you to take in fully:

We always make time for the things that matter — and for the things that bring results.

Networking brings results when you treat it like a strategy, not an afterthought.

If networking feels too time-consuming or too inconsistent, it’s usually because it hasn’t been integrated as part of your marketing system.

You “try to fit it in” instead of designing it to deliver outcomes.

And outcomes are exactly what strategic networking creates — when it’s done right.

 

Why Time Isn’t the Problem — Intention Is

Time gets blamed for what intention should carry.

You don’t need endless hours to build meaningful, global relationships.

You need:
• The right room
• The right structure
• The right people
• And a clear purpose

When networking is structured and guided, even one hour can produce visibility and momentum that outperforms a week of content posting.

The business owners who grow globally aren’t the ones with the most hours — they’re the ones who show up intentionally.

They make networking part of their marketing system, not an optional extra.

 

Networking Is Marketing — When You Treat It That Way

Business owners often separate networking from marketing, but in reality:

Networking is your most human, effective, organic form of marketing.

You might spend hours designing posts, refining your brand, or updating your website — yet a single conversation with the right person can create:

• Collaborations
• Introductions
• Referrals
• Joint ventures
• Cross-promotion
• Media opportunities
• International visibility
• Long-term partnerships
• And yes… clients
• All without algorithms.
• Without ads.
• Without waiting.

Networking works because humans buy from humans.

They buy from people they trust.

They refer people they believe in.

They collaborate with people they like.

But trust, belief, and collaboration don’t grow from one-off interactions.

They grow from consistent presence, even if that presence happens just once or twice a month — as long as it’s intentional.

 

What Participants Say — Proof That Strategic Networking Creates Momentum

Every month, I hear from participants who attended just one of our sessions and experience outcomes like:

“An incredible space for building wider, genuine connections and exchanging valuable ideas with inspiring professionals from around the world.”

“This is networking with momentum that naturally leads to bigger opportunities.”

“It was wonderful to share the space with like-minded entrepreneurs across the world.”

“If you want to go beyond local conversations, visibility and clients, this business networking connects you instantly. I’ve done several collaborative events, been seen by new prospects across the globe, and have more coming up.”

These aren’t accidental outcomes.

They are the natural result of structured, strategic, relationship-focused networking designed as part of your marketing approach.

This is what happens when you make time — not hours, but intentional minutes.

 

What Happens When You Build Networking Into Your Marketing Strategy

When networking becomes part of your strategy, you:

• Stop relying solely on content for visibility
• Build relationships that continue working long after the meeting
• Turn conversations into warm opportunities
• Become known for your expertise (not just your posts)
• Expand beyond your local circle
• Grow your authority through human connection
• Receive introductions you could never engineer yourself
• Create a network that actively supports your visibility and growth

And the best part?

It compounds.

Each month you show up → the easier it gets → the more visible you become → the more relationships deepen → the more opportunities appear.

This is the organic, sustainable growth engine most business owners are missing.

 

If You’re Ready to Make Networking Part of Your Marketing — Join Us

If you’re serious about expanding your visibility, building global relationships, and creating opportunity momentum… then it’s time to experience strategic networking for yourself.

You are invited as my guest to the next

Global Business Networking LIVE Online event.

Two time options are available (insert your links):

Choose your time & secure your Guest Pass

Show up once — intentionally — and you’ll understand why consistent networking becomes the easiest, most rewarding part of your marketing strategy.

Your next collaboration, referral, or global client connection might be in the room.

And I’d love to introduce you.

 

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