Some memories don’t fade; they live in your body.
I remember the hospital lights. That green sheet over the bed. Another room. Another scan. Another doctor saying they’re not sure. And me… just sitting there. Phone in hand. Trying to be useful. Trying to calculate a bill we can’t afford. Again.
Because my sister might die.
And all I can do is post.
We’d beg. We’d update. We’d copy and paste numbers over and over. “Please help us raise money for this hospital visit.” The total always felt impossible. The silence after sending even heavier. And every time I hit send, I wondered if people were tired of me.
But what else could I do?
We never had medical aid. We barely had transport money. And our country was not built for people like my sister — for families like mine.
That’s why I need to tell you something important today.
One of the people who hired me for my first-ever volunteer job — the one that gave me $10 a week just to get on a bus — is now helping organize a fundraising event for my sister.
She didn’t owe me anything.
But she showed up.
And it hit me: this is networking.
Not the cold emails. Not the “what do you do?” at a brunch you didn’t want to attend.
But community. Continuity. Care.
People who remember who you were and who still want to support who you’re becoming.
It’s the most unexpected birthday gift I’ve ever received — the reminder that even when it felt like we were doing this alone, we weren’t.
So before I give you tips, I need to tell you the truth:
Networking isn’t about chasing money. It’s about building memory. And making room for humanity in how we connect.
What even is networking?
It’s the one question no one ever actually answers — like we’re all supposed to just know. But here’s the simplest truth I’ve found:
Networking is just building a circle of friendships.
Not the kind where you talk every day. Not even every month. Some are every-other-year friendships. The kind where you bump into someone and your first instinct is to smile, ask how they’ve been, and actually mean it.
And when they say, “I’m looking for a job,”
You say, “Oh! I think [insert company] is hiring — want me to connect you?”
Not because you’re getting paid. Not because it’s a strategic move.
But because you see them. And they see you. As humans. As people worth rooting for.
It’s the kind of friendship that says:
“I’m not looking for your service right now — but I’d be happy to refer you to someone who is.”
Because you listened. Because you shared. Because the conversation mattered, even if it never turned into cash.
No pressure. No pitch. Just presence.
That’s networking. That’s what we build. And that’s what I want to make very clear in this issue. Networking is as much about what you provide as it is about what you gain from each interaction.
Put simply, if your network is your networth, are you worth being seen as someone else’s networth?
How do you actually network like this?
As someone who didn’t have a traditional background to fall back on, every single opportunity I have earned came from building relationships and here’s what I’ve learned — both online and offline:
1. Share value before you ask for anything.
Imagine this:
Someone jumps in your inbox: “Hi, I need a job. Can you help me?”
Now be honest — you’re probably not hiring. Even if you wanted to help, there’s nothing to give in that moment.
Now imagine something different.
They message you and say:
“Hey — I noticed your LinkedIn banner is slightly blurry. Here’s a quick redesign in case it’s helpful.”
Or:
“I saw you post about your newsletter. Here's a free subject line swipe file I made that might boost your open rates.”
Now that person? You're going to remember them.
Because they didn’t just show up needing — they showed up contributing.
TRY THIS:
Look at 5 people you admire. Find one thing they’re building. Then ask yourself: How can I make this 2% easier for them?
That’s the pitch.
2. Don’t just connect — connect others.
Your name holds weight when it’s attached to opportunity.
One of my most meaningful partnerships started because I introduced two women I admired to each other. I didn’t get anything out of it — but they both did. And years later, when one of them needed a strategist? I was the first person she called.
TRY THIS:
Every Friday, ask: Who can I connect this week that doesn’t yet know they need each other?
And send the message. Keep it light, warm, and simple:
“Hey — thought of you two. I think there’s synergy here. No pressure at all, but felt worth connecting.”
Here is an example of this in action, where one of my amazing connections connected me to another woman right in my LinkedIn inbox.
If an opportunity isn’t right for you, think who do I know who could benefit from this.
3. Play the long game — and play it with long-term people.
We think networking is quick wins. It’s not.
It’s the person who saw you keep showing up for 9 months straight. The one who remembers how you treated them when they weren’t a potential client.
One of my first paying gigs came from someone I met years ago — when I was volunteering.
She wasn’t hiring. I wasn’t pitching. But I showed up like her brand mattered. And when the budget came? She brought me in.
TRY THIS:
Keep a “quiet list” of 10 people you want to build with. Not to pitch — to support.
Comment on their posts. Celebrate their wins. Share their work. Be consistent — not creepy.
Credibility compounds.
4. Know that energy speaks louder than expertise.
You don’t have to be the best. You just have to be real.
Ask anyone building something big — they remember the person who made them feel something.
So don’t just exchange info. Exchange energy.
TRY THIS:
When sending a cold DM or pitch, try this structure:
Lead with something specific and real.
Keep it short.
Show why it matters to them.
And don’t ask for a sale — ask for a conversation.
Research until you mean what you're writing.
Example:
“Hey [Name], I’ve been following your work on [topic]. Loved your post about [specific insight] — it shifted how I think about [x]. I’m building something similar and would love to share notes or ideas if you’re open.”
5. Build your own value — so you’re not waiting to be chosen.
If you’re not being invited into rooms, build your own.
Write. Share. Create. Speak.
No one can refer you if you’re invisible. “I can do it, I promise”, is not the strong pitch you think it is.
TRY THIS:
Make one piece of content this week that helps someone solve a small but annoying problem.
That’s it.
Do it again next week. Then again. Your name will start travelling farther than you think.
Bonus: Cold pitching is not evil. It’s about energy.
Most people get cold pitching wrong because they lead with lack — not value.
“Hi, I’d love to work with you.” → That’s pressure.
“Hi, I saw you’re launching [x] — and I have a few ideas for how you could increase reach.” → That’s service.
Try this:
→ Do your research.
→ Personalize every message.
→ Offer specific value.
→ Keep it short.
→ And ask for a conversation — not a sale.
“Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call? I’d love to share a few ideas and hear more about what you’re building.”
That one message has landed me collaborations, client calls, and strategy jobs — all without a fancy funnel.
Final truth:
You don’t need a viral moment to be remembered.
You just need to leave people better than you found them.
Every time.
Networking isn’t linear — it’s exponential.
The more people who know you and trust you, the more doors you never knew existed start opening.
But here’s the catch:
If you treat every new connection like a potential sale, you cut the network off before it even begins to grow.
You’re not just meeting them. You’re meeting everyone they know.
Everyone they might introduce you to.
Everyone who’s ever asked them:
“Hey, do you know someone who could help with this?”
That’s how opportunity actually spreads.
Not from the pitch you sent — but from the energy you left behind.
Here’s what I know for sure:
Kindness compounds.
Value compounds.
Trust compounds.
Consistency compounds.
That’s the real algorithm.
And if you stay consistent, stay useful, and stay human — your name will travel without you.
Quick reminders for the road:
Say hi without selling.
Show up even when there’s no pitch.
Build with people — not at them.
Keep the door open. Even if it’s not your time yet.
And always, always play the long game.
Because the people who win?
They’re the ones still in the room when the hype fades.
🔹 Next Week’s Topic: Growing an audience without going viral
Turning "nothing to show" into your strongest proof. A masterclass on portfolio building.
Request A Topic Below and I will be sure to cover it next.
If you were here yesterday, you already know.
We just launched the thing that’s going to make your networking (and your content, and your growth) ten times easier.
Because let’s be honest — networking sounds great in theory.
But what happens when you’re tired? When writing posts feels like a chore? When showing up online feels like you’re shouting into the void?
That’s why we built the AI-powered community for multi-hyphenate women.
This is not another course.
It’s not a Slack graveyard.
It’s a room full of real people, building in real time, with a tool that helps you sound like you — fast.
What’s inside:
→ Our custom-built GPT trained on real marketing strategies (not fluff)
→ Ready-to-use templates that help you show up without overthinking
→ Live pods so you’re never building alone again
→ And a full visibility system so your work can actually be seen
Because networking isn’t just about who you know.
It’s about who sees you, who remembers you, and who’s ready to refer you when the moment comes.
Want in early?
Click here to join.
Tomorrow, we’ll give you the full breakdown of what you’ll get inside.
But if this is the year you’re ready to build with ease — Start here.
Here's Where We're At This Week:
Goal: 10K
Current: 7,025
We grew by 200 people this week and we are now only 3K away from our 10K goal!
Newsletter
Goal: 10K
Current: 154
YouTubeTikok & InstagramOkay we had to bite the bullet and realise we might not have the time and bandwidth for a youtube channel yet but we are starting to build out some short form content so excited to be tracking that growth next.
What’s In Our Toolbox
Still Notion but also want to make a major shout to Canva AI cause every single picture we share. Let me tell you Canva is THAT girl!
Jobs You Might Have Missed
Urgent Hire: Digital Marketing Pro.
Oh So Easy!, is hiring a freelance Influencer Coordinator
Now Hiring: Advocacy Officer (Remote, Global)
For job reposts, gigs, funding, and more → LinkedIn is where it’s at.
Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll keep sharing, follow and stay plugged in.
And on a personal note — if this letter moved you, and you’re in a position to give:
My sister’s still raising money towards her medical bills
We’re still figuring things out.
And while I’m writing to teach — I’m also living this in real time.
If you want to help her, here’s the link.
Every share, every prayer, every dollar counts. And I mean that.
Because when people say “community over everything”
This is what that actually looks like. Here are some of the people who came together for her!
Thank you for reading and being here every single week.
Until Next Week.
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