I recently attended several events around Tech Crunch Disrupt in San Francisco. I generally had a good time and met several inspiring people – founders, innovators, investors, and beyond – from around the world. However, every evening as I made my way home (the drive from SF to Mountain View gives you plenty of time to ponder), one thought stuck out to me as I took stock of the day – on average, when it comes to networking people are bad, sometimes shockingly bad.

Building strong relationships within the startup ecosystem is not just a recommendation; it’s a necessity. In the dynamic and competitive world of startups, your network can be the difference between struggling in isolation and thriving with the support of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, potential partners, and investors. The cliche “your network is your net worth” holds more than a kernel of truth, especially here in Silicon Valley. 

While we all have heard much of this before, here are some basic, but essential reminders to be a more effective networker and make meaningful connections: 

• Prep work is required for conferences. If you’re dedicating hours, or even days, to an event or conference, make it count. Reach out to potential connections before the event, and aim to stack your meetings back-to-back in one location. This ensures you make the most of your time, preventing missed opportunities due to packed schedules or dispersed happy hour venue choices.

   

• Keep an eye out for speakers and moderators who catch your interest. But remember, if you’re launching a B2B startup, a D2C-focused event might not be your sweet spot.

   

• Targeted networking is effective. Reach out to investors and others on platforms like LinkedIn. We love connecting with driven founders and, as long as you’re polite and the connection is relevant for us both, generally happy to connect. After all, we’re here to help you on your mission. Industry-specific Slack groups have been a great unlock for me, but tend to be invite-only.

   

• Go beyond investors and buyers. Your fellow founders can be amazing support, sharing connections, potential partnerships, or just being your sounding board. And don’t forget mentorship – tapping into the wisdom of experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts is a game-changer.

   

• Give, don’t just take. Networking isn’t just about favors; it’s about authentic relationships. Share your expertise, mentor, and contribute to the community that supports you. In Silicon Valley, the culture of giving back sets us apart. Plus, by being a valuable resource, you’ll naturally attract reciprocal connections. Some of my closest friends? Met them through networking at work events.

   

• Follow-up is everything. Don’t let those business cards collect dust – after your initial connection, keep the conversation alive. Collaborate, support, and explore partnerships. Pro tip: When following up an in-person meeting by connecting on LinkedIn, send a message to add context about how you met and anything interesting you discussed; this helps in prepping any future conversations, which might restart weeks or months later.
  
  
• Make it a habit to attend events regularly, both in person and virtually. That’s how you broaden your circle strategically. And don’t limit yourself to one type of event; try out different formats to see what clicks for you. Like everything else, networking is a skill that requires practice.