How to Network – High ROI vs Low ROI Networking

This article is based on a recent Career Workshop session that took place in our Discord server.

Networking is often discussed in vague and superficial ways. You’ve probably heard phrases like, “Networking is key to success” or “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” But what does this actually mean in practical terms? How can networking be used strategically for career advancement, business growth, or skill development?

This workshop aims to break down networking into actionable steps, distinguish between casual and professional networking, and provide insights on how to leverage networking for real, measurable growth in one’s professional career.

Here’s the workshop video

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:50 – Networking Explained from Career POV
02:00 – 3 Categories of Growth through Networking
05:09 – 2 Kinds of Networking
06:02 – Low ROI Networking Explained
11:53 – High ROI Networking Explained
14:53 – Networking with Influential Professionals
20:30 – Prerequisites for High ROI Networking
25:00 – The Wandering Pro Discord Q&A Session
25:20 – Question: Best Practices for engaging in Low ROI Networking
32:34 – Question: Getting Referrals through Networking
40:24 – Question: Do Views/Impressions matter on LinkedIn?

The Two Types of Networking: Casual vs. Professional

Before we dive into ROI (Return on Investment) in networking, it’s crucial to understand the two fundamental types of networking:

1. Casual Networking

Casual networking is informal and social. It happens naturally in everyday interactions and social events where people build connections without a specific professional agenda.

Examples:

• Making friends at parties or gatherings
• Engaging in small talk at meetups
• Following influencers on social media without engagement
• Talking to colleagues about non-work-related topics

2. Professional Networking

Professional networking is intentional and structured, aimed at fostering career, business, or skill growth.

Examples:

• Attending industry-specific events to meet key people
• Reaching out to professionals for mentorship
• Engaging in knowledge-sharing communities
• Strategically leveraging LinkedIn to build meaningful connections

The key takeaway is that networking should be mutually beneficial—you offer something of value, and in return, you gain opportunities, knowledge, or connections.

The Three Key Metrics of Networking Success

To make networking effective, it must lead to measurable outcomes. The three key areas where networking should create impact are:

1. Financial Growth ($)
   • Does your networking help you increase your income?
   • Are your connections leading to better job offers, promotions, or profitable business deals?
2. Skill Growth (Upskilling)
   • Are you learning new skills or gaining industry insights?
   • Are you able to work on projects that improve your expertise?
3. Valuable Connections (Influence & Access to Key People)
   • Are you meeting influential individuals who can mentor or open doors for you?
   • Do you have access to professionals who can provide guidance or job referrals?

Each of these represents a different way networking can contribute to your personal and professional success. Effective networking is about maximizing ROI in one or more of these three areas.

Understanding High ROI vs. Low ROI Networking

Not all networking efforts yield the same results. Some networking activities provide low ROI—they build relationships but don’t immediately translate into career or financial benefits. Others offer high ROI, where the impact is more direct and tangible.

Low ROI Networking: Passive & Long-Term Benefits

Low ROI networking occurs naturally and doesn’t require much effort. It is useful for maintaining relationships but doesn’t always lead to immediate results.

Examples:

• Accepting and sending random LinkedIn connection requests
• Exchanging numbers or business cards without a follow-up
• Engaging in Twitter discussions without deeper interaction
• Attending conferences without a clear networking goal

Low ROI networking is important for long-term opportunities, but it is inefficient if done without strategy.

How to Optimize Low ROI Networking

• Be selective with connections: Avoid treating LinkedIn like Facebook. Focus on connecting with professionals relevant to your industry.
• Engage meaningfully: Don’t just follow people—interact with their content, ask questions, and add value.
• Time management: Allocate a limited amount of time to passive networking to avoid wasting effort.

High ROI Networking: Strategic & Goal-Oriented

High ROI networking is intentional and research-driven. It focuses on direct growth in money, skills, or valuable connections.

Examples of High ROI Networking:

• Targeted outreach: Reaching out to a hiring manager directly instead of applying through a job portal
• Leveraging referrals: Instead of cold-applying for jobs, asking a trusted connection to introduce you to decision-makers
• Strategic event attendance: Going to conferences where high-value individuals will be present and preparing beforehand
• Providing value first: Offering your skills or knowledge before asking for favors

How to Optimize High ROI Networking

1. Identify Key People in Your Industry
   • Use LinkedIn, industry events, or online communities to find decision-makers, mentors, and influential figures.
2. Make Meaningful Connections
   • Instead of just following someone, engage by commenting on their posts or sending a well-thought-out message.
3. Have a Clear Goal
   • Networking should have an objective: Are you looking for a job? A mentor? Funding for a business?
4. Follow Up Effectively
   • After meeting someone, follow up with a personalized message referencing your discussion. Keep the conversation going.

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Real-World Case Studies

Case Study 1: Low ROI Networking in Action

A software engineer frequently shared posts on LinkedIn but never engaged in direct outreach. They had 1,000+ connections but struggled to get job referrals. Despite the large network, their posts had low engagement. Why?

• They were passively networking but not actively building relationships.
• They didn’t offer value first or follow up with key people.

Case Study 2: High ROI Networking Success

Another professional in cybersecurity needed a job. Instead of applying online, they reached out to industry experts they had engaged with before. One of these connections referred them to an open position. Within two weeks, they secured an interview and landed the job.

Key Takeaways:

• Direct outreach and personal referrals are more powerful than cold applications.
• High ROI networking shortens job searches and increases success rates.

Actionable Steps for Effective Networking

1. Audit Your Current Network:
   • Identify who in your circle can help with financial growth, skill development, or valuable connections.
   • Remove or deprioritize connections that offer no value.
2. Set Clear Networking Goals:
   • Are you looking for job opportunities? Learning opportunities? Business expansion?
3. Engage with Purpose:
   • Instead of liking posts, comment with insights.
   • Instead of generic messages, tailor each conversation.
4. Give Before You Take:
   • Offer help, share knowledge, or connect others before asking for favors.
5. Leverage Events and Online Communities:
   • Join industry groups, attend meetups, and engage in meaningful discussions.

High ROI Networking: A Strategic Approach to Building Meaningful Connections

Networking is often misunderstood. Many people attend events, collect business cards, and send generic LinkedIn requests, hoping something valuable will come out of it. However, truly effective networking isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about making meaningful connections that lead to tangible outcomes. This is what we call High ROI (Return on Investment) Networking.

The Foundation of High ROI Networking

The key to high ROI networking is to be intentional. You need to approach networking with a clear strategy—understanding what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it. Whether it’s gaining knowledge, building valuable connections, or securing financial opportunities, every networking effort should have a purpose.

Step 1: Research Before the Event

Before attending any networking event, you need to do your homework. Research the attendees, especially those who align with your goals. Instead of trying to meet everyone, narrow down your focus to five key individuals or companies that can provide the most value. This ensures that your efforts are concentrated and meaningful.

Step 2: Engaging During the Event

Once at the event, your goal is to engage with the key individuals you identified. However, your approach depends on your position:

1. If you’re a business owner or service provider – You can directly offer something valuable, such as your services or expertise.
2. If you’re a student or early-career professional – You should focus on learning. Ask insightful questions about skill sets they look for, hiring trends, and industry gaps. This gives you a clear understanding of what’s needed in the market and helps you position yourself better for future opportunities.
3. Building Relationships – The goal is to have meaningful conversations that lead to follow-ups. If you talk to 25 people and set calls with at least five, you’ve successfully executed high ROI networking.

Step 3: Post-Event Follow-Ups and Engagement

Networking doesn’t end when the event is over. The real work starts afterward:

• Follow up with key contacts – Send a message referencing your conversation.
• Schedule meetings – If someone showed interest in your skills, ensure you follow through.
• Stay connected on LinkedIn – Engage with their posts and contribute value to their discussions.

Essentials for High ROI Networking

To maximize your networking efforts, you must always be prepared. Here are three essential tools to have ready:

1. Meeting Link

Always have a ready-to-use meeting link. Google Calendar allows you to create a free one-on-one meeting link that syncs with your calendar. If someone wants to schedule a call, you should be able to send them a link immediately.

2. Personal Website

In 2024, not having a personal website—especially if you’re in IT or development—is unacceptable. Your website serves as your online portfolio and credibility builder. Instead of overcomplicating things with a custom-built site, a simple WordPress website with your achievements, portfolio, and contact information is enough. If hosting is a concern, platforms like Vercel offer free hosting options.

3. Elevator Pitch

When someone asks, “What do you do?” you need a compelling response. Your elevator pitch should:

• Introduce yourself and your field of interest.
• Highlight your skills and experience.
• Specify the industries you are passionate about.
• Optionally, include a fun fact or unique selling point that makes you memorable.

This ensures that people remember you for something specific and valuable.

Best Practices for Low ROI and High ROI Networking

While high ROI networking is the ultimate goal, low ROI networking still plays a role. Here’s how to make the most of both:

Low ROI Networking: Making Initial Connections

• Always add a short, personalized note when sending LinkedIn connection requests. A simple message like:
  “Hi [Name], I’m trying to build a network with industry leaders, and I’m sure there’s a lot I can learn from having you in my feed. Would appreciate a connect. Thank you!”
• This small effort increases your chances of a response and makes you more memorable.
• Be selective about whom you connect with. If someone doesn’t add value to your feed (e.g., irrelevant content, spammy posts), it’s best to avoid cluttering your network.

High ROI Networking: Converting Connections into Opportunities

Once you have connections, you can categorize them based on:

1. Can they buy from you? – If yes, nurture the relationship to convert them into a client.
2. Can you learn from them? – Follow their insights, engage with their content, and seek mentorship.
3. Are they valuable connections? – If they have a strong network or industry influence, staying connected with them can open new doors.

Keeping Engagement Alive

Networking isn’t just about making connections—it’s about maintaining them. To keep your network engaged:

• Comment on their posts to stay visible.
• Share valuable insights or industry news.
• Offer help when you can—networking is a two-way street.

By following these principles, you ensure that your networking efforts yield tangible results, making every interaction purposeful and impactful.

Conclusion

Networking, when done strategically, is a powerful tool that can open doors to career opportunities, skill enhancement, and financial growth. However, the difference between casual, low-ROI networking and high-ROI networking is the level of intent and effort put into building meaningful relationships. 

Simply attending events, collecting business cards, or sending LinkedIn requests is not enough—true networking success lies in targeted outreach, providing value, and maintaining long-term engagement with the right people.

By focusing on high-ROI networking, you shift from passive connections to active relationship-building that leads to measurable outcomes. Whether it’s securing job referrals, finding mentors, or growing a business, every interaction should be purposeful and mutually beneficial. The key is to research before engaging, have clear goals, and consistently follow up to nurture valuable connections.

Ultimately, networking is not just about who you know, but how well you cultivate those relationships. A well-built network can accelerate your professional growth and unlock opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible. Approach networking with a mindset of adding value first, and over time, the returns will compound in ways that go beyond just numbers—it will shape your career, influence, and personal brand.

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