SaaStock shares 11 networking tactics to help you leave events with the connections, knowledge, and clarity to move your business forward.
The rules of growth are shifting.
Outbound is saturated, inboxes are flooded with AI-generated noise, and trust is harder than ever to earn.
Everyone’s feeling it. It’s frustrating and without finding a fix, you risk getting left behind.
But while digital communication is breaking, one tried and tested channel is regaining its power: in-person connections.
With in-person events now considered critical by 87% of B2B marketers, those who start their networking strategy today have a huge opportunity to turn events into a powerful growth engine.
As events get busier, showing up with clarity and intention becomes even more important. In this post, we’ll share how founders and their teams can turn networking at events into real business impact.
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1. Tie networking to business goals
Be clear on why you’re investing in events before you sign up.
Are you building awareness? Securing investment? Finding partners? Or deepening customer relationships?
The clearer your intent, the easier it is to plan your time at the event and make sure you get in front of the right people, in the right way.
2. Structure over serendipity
Serendipitous meetings can be great. But you can’t (and shouldn’t have to) rely on them.
To get ROI from an event, you can’t just turn up and see what happens. You need to arrive with meetings in the diary and contacts in mind.
That’s why events like SaaStock Europe now offer structured, double opt-in meetings that mean attendees walk in with a calendar full of high-intent conversations.
3. Start networking before you arrive
“The more you do upfront, that’s your networking kicked off.” Ronan Perceval, Founder and CEO at Perceval
The opportunity for networking starts long before you pick up your badge. Post on LinkedIn that you’re attending, book meetings through event platforms, and secure seats at side events.
This way you can arrive known, with people looking to meet you.
4. Lead with curiosity not a pitch
The most effective networking strategies start with community, not a sales pitch.
Ask questions. Get curious. Learn what someone is building or struggling with.
Lead with genuine interest, learn about the community, build your brand, and the deals will follow.
5. Be authentic and add value
“Your network is your net worth” Lloyed Lobo, Co-founder at Boast AI
In the AI-era, people are craving realness and authenticity. Be open, transparent and clear about what you’re looking to achieve but also think about what you can give to the community.
- Offer honest feedback on someone’s pitch.
- Share a helpful article or framework.
- Connect someone with a tool or peer that helped you.
- Write a LinkedIn recommendation for someone you respect.
Be generous without agenda and more will come back to you in return.
6. Become a connector not a collector
Networking should be more than trading business cards. It should be building an ecosystem and driving growth in the community.
Introduce people who should know each other, even if there’s nothing in it for you. Keep this going even after the event. Tag someone in a relevant thread. Forward a job post. Share a podcast with a quick “thought you’d enjoy this.”
Say “yes” to side events
The best conversations rarely happen in formal settings. They happen when mics are off, over dinners, coffees, and even dance floors.
Check out what’s happening outside the main event. Sign up for the early morning run, the breakout dinner, or after party. You never know who you’ll meet.
8. Follow up thoughtfully
A conversation isn’t finished when you leave the hall. Follow up within 48 hours, mention something specific, and keep the first touch about them (not your ask).
Respond to those who message you too and keep the community growing.
9. Play the long game
The strongest relationships are built over time.
Drop them a note months after the event, congratulate someone on their funding, connect them to a new hire, or share a resource that can help them reach a milestone. In town near their office? See if they can meet for a coffee.
The important thing is to keep the conversation alive.
Enjoy it!
Yes, you’re there to grow your business. But events are also a chance to lift your head, hang with the community, and enjoy yourself
Events thrive on your energy. Founders, investors, and operators all in one place, swapping stories, sharing learnings, and building what’s next.
Put this into action at SaaStock Europe
SaaStock Europe is the ultimate place to put these tips to work.
4,500 AI and SaaS founders, leaders, and investors together at the RDS in Dublin, making the connections that will move their business forward in the AI era.
Tickets are almost sold out.
