“Follow-up is where all the money is after networking.” – Dave Lorenzo

What You’ll Discover Today

On this episode of The Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo and Nicola “Nikki G” Gelormino share five proven strategies for building authentic, long-lasting relationships through networking—without coming across as pushy or transactional.

Key Topics Discussed
  1. Deliver Value First
    • Open relationships by helping others before asking for anything.
    • Introduce them to useful contacts or resources that make their business easier.
  2. Leverage LinkedIn the Right Way
    • Don’t pitch in cold DMs.
    • Engage with people’s content to build familiarity and credibility before reaching out.
  3. Ask Empathetic Questions
    • Go beyond “What do you do?” by asking how they got into their work or what they enjoy about it.
    • Connect on kids, pets, or hobbies to establish genuine rapport.
  4. Bring a Wing Person
    • Having a networking partner makes openings smoother, provides warm introductions, and gives you an exit strategy from awkward conversations.
  5. Suspend Judgment
    • Don’t dismiss people based on appearance, clothing, or first impressions.
    • Some of your best connections may come from those you least expect.
  6. Follow-Up with Value
    • Stay top of mind by sharing introductions, articles, newsletters, or event invites.
    • The strongest relationships are built through thoughtful, consistent follow-up over months and even years.
Links and Resources
Call to Action
Which of these strategies will you test at your next networking event? Share your go-to approach for building connections in the comments.
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