The Networking Spectrum: From ‘Hate It’ to ‘Love It’
A recent LinkedIn poll asked a simple question: “How do you feel about networking?”
A recent LinkedIn poll asked a simple question:
“How do you feel about networking?”
The results?
Which means that if you are attending an event with 1000 people, a full quarter of the room is secretly (or not so secretly) anxious about meeting people.
Scrolling through the comments, I spotted a gem from a software architect:
It’s funny, but also telling. For a big slice of professionals, networking feels like an awkward add-on to their actual work, something they “should” do but are very uncomfortable doing it.
Networking Isn’t Just for the Extroverts
The truth is, most traditional networking events are built for one type of person:
The Uber Joiner.
The extrovert who thrives on small talk, works the room with ease, and leaves with a bunch of contacts.
For everyone else, they show up, scan the room, see clusters of people deep in conversation, and think: Where do I even start?
It’s not that they don’t want to connect, it’s that the format isn’t built for them.
The Three Networking Types
The above poll reminded me of consistent behaviors I’ve seen again and again in communities and events:
Uber Joiners – First to sign up, last to leave, and always in the thick of things.
Joiners – Friendly, willing to participate, but more selective about how and when.
Non-Joiners – Prefer solo time or smaller, more meaningful conversations.
The most successful communities design for all three, not just the Uber Joiners.
Designing for the Full Spectrum
If you want everyone to walk away from your event or community feeling connected, you need to:
✅ Offer multiple ways to engage - from small group mixers to 1:1s.
✅ Make participation optional and easy to opt into.
✅ Create spaces for quieter, deeper conversations.
✅Create intentional matching so attendees aren’t left hoping they connect with the right person.
The goal isn’t to make everyone love networking.
It’s to make it possible for everyone to find their way in.
Connection That Lasts
When people find a way to connect that works for them, they keep showing up.
They remember the conversations, not just the keynotes.
And those connections outlast the event itself.
So next time you plan a networking experience, ask yourself:
Am I building for all the attendees? Or just the ones who are already connected?
Cue the Connection Pitch
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We’re enrolling pilots now. Visit hoogah.co we’d love to discuss the vision of your next event.
What I have found over the years is the wallflowers or "non-joiners" are typically decision makers and some of your best connections.
The best strategy for in person networking is to walk up to the wall until you find the lone person.
Have two seconds of courage and say this phrase. "I hate doing this"
Watch what happens. You don’t need to be good at networking, you need to be able to say hello.