I started networking last September with no real expectations – and, if I’m honest, it was completely outside of my comfort zone. Socialising like that has never come naturally to me, so walking into a room full of strangers felt daunting. I didn’t have a clue, or any opportunities waiting to happen. If anything, after always working for agencies, I was just hoping to get my name out there – and that in turn would hopefully lead to getting some of my own clients on board.

Fast forward eight months, and I’ve found myself reflecting on just how much has changed – not necessarily in terms of immediate business, but in something far more valuable, the relationships I’ve built. Sometimes it has meant offering advice. Sometimes just a simple introduction. And most of the time it’s just been having good, honest conversations with no agenda attached.

This all became clear to me recently when I was tagged in a post from someone looking for a website designer and three different people recommended me.

Three people.

For me, that was massive. Not because of the potential opportunity itself, but because of what it represented. Eight months ago, that simply wouldn’t have happened. Not because I wasn’t good at my job, but because I wasn’t visible. People didn’t know me and didn’t yet have a reason to think of me when an opportunity came up.

Those recommendations weren’t the result of one great conversation or a single networking event. They were the outcome of consistently showing up, being myself, and building real connections over time.

I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of being pushy or chasing people for work. For me, networking was never about walking into a room thinking, “Who can I sell to today?”. Instead, I’ve focused on building meaningful relationships first – letting people get to know me, understand what I do, and decide for themselves if and when they want to work with me.

If you’re just starting out with networking – or feeling frustrated that it’s not working – my advice is simple.. keep going! Focus less on outcomes, more on people and most importantly be yourself!

You probably won’t see the results straight away. But one day, you’ll come across a moment – like being recommended by three different people on a single post – and realise that everything you’ve been building quietly in the background is starting to work.

And when it does, it’s so worth it.