The Zero to One Networker

I've been waiting to share... Now it's time. ?? My workshop has been selected for SXSW 2025! ?? And I am SO excited! It's been weeks of waiting to make sure all the details were ironed out. But patience is a part of the game. ?? So now I'm absolutely stoked to announce that my workshop "Networks of Scale: How to Grow and Maintain Relationships" will appear at South by Southwest in 2025. ?? It will run on SXSW's "Culture" Track -- date & time still being finalized. Here's the link -- be sure to check in for when sign-ups officially open: https://lnkd.in/eYjgsE_y We'll talk all about generating "habit mindsets," core follow-up strategies, and more! Everything you gotta know on Day 1 of SXSW to make your conference networking experience successful. ?? These are EXACTLY the same tactics I've used to build The Zero to One Networker. ?? Immensely grateful to everyone who encouraged me to apply, gave me pitch feedback, voted, & shared. A core part of relationship-building building is gratitude, and I'm so thankful to my network for support. ?? So if you're gonna be in Austin next year, come find me so we can talk networking & hang out. Just look for the orange sunglasses! More details very soon. ?? (Also, couldn't resist wearing my Venture Atlanta Conference shirt to officially break this news. ??) ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker & message me to work with me in 2025! ?? #networking #workshop #SXSW #innovation #entrepreneurship #tech #SXSW2025 #relationships #culture ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

If you're doing this, you're missing out! ?? Cold sales pitches are NOT a substitute for patient networking. ?? I see this ALL the time with companies -- WAY more than I should. Sales is crucially important -- but it's NOT the same as building networks & relationships. If you're using your sales-funnel strategy to try and build your network, you could be SERIOUSLY hurting your progress. ?? Those sales tactics are meant to be used with a specific goal in mind: Sales. And there's nothing wrong with that. But building networks is about navigating the complex currents of people & perceptions. It's going to rely a lot more on patient dialogue cultivation than cold pitching & funnels. ?? It's a lot of hurry up & wait. Don't let a sales mentality halt your networking progress. ?? Build a cohesive networking strategy SEPARATE from your sales tactics. That's how you set yourself apart & build big access. ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me in 2025 & SCALE your network access! ?? #networking #sales #entrepreneurship #LinkedIn #socialmedia #business ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

?? More pics from our last LinkedIn Local ATL event of 2024! ?? Thank you so everyone who came out! These pictures tell a few interesting stories worth noting: 1) First, I am so lucky to have such amazing co-hosts in RACHEL SIMON & Phil Davis, PHR! ?? 2) You never know who's gonna show up! I met Thad Oviatt YEARS ago through my advising at Atlanta Tech Village! Was so great to see him & hear that Parkent is doing well. ?? 3) Yihua Sun told me that she missed the last event because of a scheduling conflict -- but that she had this one on her calendar early. ?? I can't believe people are booking tix so far out! 4) Kathryn Garner drove 2 HOURS from Blairsville in north Georgia to be with us! ?? LinkedIn Local ATL is growing in BIG ways! Thank you to FulPhillment? Solutions, LLC for sponsoring, to our friends at Bar{n} in Dunwoody for hosting, and to everyone who joined us. We wanna go even BIGGER in 2025, so if you're interested in sponsoring, please reach out! We're looking for corporate sponsors as we get into the new year. ?? ?? And definitely follow the LinkedIn Local ATL page for up to date info. More content coming soon. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday week! ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me & SCALE your network in 2025! #networking #community #LinkedInLocal #Atlanta #event ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

"Always have an ask." ?? Sounds good in a tweet -- not great in reality. ?? But we always hear that when it comes to networking. Why? Because people think that "real networking" needs to be hyper-transactional to matter. ?? Spoiler: It doesn't. So all those "motivational speakers" out there telling you to grow your network by always "having an ask"...? ?? Ignore them. Because people don't like feeling used that way. Block out that noise. ?? Build your network methodically: ?? Show up in the community. ?? Create value for others. ?? Support someone else's achievements. ?? Be patient & consistent. The rest will come -- trust me. People ask me how I built The Zero to One Networker. This is exactly how. ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me in 2025! ?? #networking #community #mindset #entrepreneurship ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

This is how you build a city-sized network! ?? Last night's Siggie Awards event was a total success. ?? People from all around the Atlanta entrepreneurship scene gathered to celebrate Sig Mosley & the work he's done for our startup community. Too many pics for a single post (more to come!), but worth noting how much of the dialogue & celebration centered around community-building & relationships. This was especially clear in the talks given by Sanket P. and Sid Mookerji. The money is the part that gets the most headlines... ?? But it's the long-term patience, collaboration, humility, & communal support that are similarly critical to the lifeblood of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. ?? Precisely the reason I spend so much time mentoring founders on how to scale long-term networks. ?? Masterfully emceed by the wonderful Tami McQueen, and hosted by my friends at TiE Atlanta and Emory University - Goizueta Business School. Great way to spend a chilly winter night. 2024 is almost done! ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me on scaling networks in 2025! ?? #networking #Atlanta #community #entrepreneurship #technology #investing ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

Cold pitching is NOT an adequate networking startegy. ?? In fact, it can seriously hurt your network development. ?? A few weeks ago, I was at the latest HatchBridge Incubator event listening to a great panel. I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard Kennesaw State University Prof. Tiffany Roman, Ph.D. reference this Bob's Burgers scene! ???? Because this is exactly what it's like sometimes: Helping people shed unworkable habits. In this case, it's mistaking sales pitches for good networking interactions. And changing your networkng mindset can be hard! Sales is essential to your business growth... But it's transactional in nature. ?? And great networking is NOT transactional. Pitching is for your sales strategy -- not your relationships. Focus on cultivating relationship through patience, consistency, & creating long-term value. ?? Show up to support others, be flexible, & build human dialogues. The best sales grow from these types of relationships. ?? (Also was great to see a bunch of my KSU friends -- Graham Gintz, Chris Cornelison, Sara E. Davis, Ph.D., Colin Ake -- at this event!) ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me & supercharge your network in 2025! ?? #networking #entrepreneurship #business #sales #mindset ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

People are driving HOURS to be at our LinkedIn Local ATL events!! ???? I'm absolutely blown away! Last night's LinkedIn Local ATL event in Dunwoody was a great way to wrap up 2024. It goes without saying that I couldn't do any of this without my 2 amazing co-hosts, RACHEL SIMON and Phil Davis, PHR. ?? Many thanks to Phil for sponsoring last night's event through his company FulPhillment? Solutions, LLC. (Also a tip of the hat to Rachel's company, Connect the Dots Digital - LinkedIn?? Training, Consulting & Strategy.) And thank you to our friends at Bar{n} in Dunwoody for having us back at their location. ?? When David Gacsko and Garrett Massey told me they drove from south Atlanta, I was shocked. And then I met Kathryn Garner who drove from Blairsville in north Georga! ?? The energy we have here is contagious. 2025 is gonna be a lot of fun. ?? Interested in sponsoring an event? Please reach out! We're always looking for new ways to grow LinkedIn Local ATL. We'll start planning out next event(s) soon! ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me in the new year! ?? #networking #LinkedInLocal #Atlanta #community ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

What matters in networking ISN'T follower-count or virality. ?? It's reputation. ?? Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to mentor for SXSW's Tech Track. I super enjoyed the experience & felt I got a ton out of it. And I'm HUGELY excited for my workshop in 2025, just announced here: ?? https://lnkd.in/eDpyH6UP But equally (or perhaps more?) important is what the mentees got from it. Tiago Pereira was just one of the great founders who came to my session. ?? We had a great chat about scalable network strategies & mindsets. And even just one of the tactics helped his network grow, then I count that a success. ?? Building huge networks is so often about creating value for others. That's where it starts. Be a mentor, collaborator, supporter, & friend. ?? Also a huge thank you to Audrey Ullman & the rest of the SXSW team for coordinating all the mentor sessions. It’s hard work and so often behind the scenes, but please show gratitude to the people who make the logistics possible. ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to supercharge your network & find me at SXSW next year! ?? #networking #SXSW #mentor #technology #entrepreneurship #gratitude #value ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

I made the ranking again! ?? Truly so humbled to be on this list (again)! I've been selected for Derick Mildred's "List of 250 Rising Stars & Upcoming Influencers of LinkedIn to Watch" for 2024! ?? So many wonderful LI friends I see listed here as well. Derick is one of the people on LinkedIn you just gotta know. He brings such a positive vibe to the platform. I've made this list a few times in the past, and I am always humbled to be included in such talented company. ?? This is what real networking & relationship-building are about: Creating methodical value & access through consistency & patience. Immensely grateful to Derick for always thinking of me, and recognizing the hard work I do with The Zero to One Networker. ?? 2024 has been a tough year. But little things like this bring a fun little bounce! ?? Check out the full list of awesome people here: https://lnkd.in/e34jZtcn ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me in 2025! ?? #networking #award #socialmedia #innovation #entrepreneurship #gratitude ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses

Great networking happens in a global context! ?? So much fun meeting up with my friend Kirsty James last Friday while she was in town for TEDxAtlanta / Ideas into Action. ?? Major props to her for putting on an awesome event down on Ponce at the Wylie Hotel. Perfect way to end a busy but productive week. ?? We talked all about TEDxAtlanta, LinkedIn Local ATL, LinkedIn Local Warrington, and other cool ways we can collaborate! This is what The Zero to One Networker is all about. ?? Wonderful to see Sophie Désert again, and to meet another great ATLien, Elaine Powell Thought Disruptor?? Keynote and TEDx Speaker. Kirsty similarly did a phenomenal job looping in some of her great contacts across the pond in the UK. ???? This is why I do what I do. Even though I only had a couple hours, I came away with tons of new connections in Europe. Now the REAL networking begins: Following up & creating long-term mutual value. ?? ?? Follow The Zero to One Networker to work with me & supercharge your network. ?? #networking #entrepreneurship #innovation #publicspeaking #access ?? #LookForTheOrangeSunglasses Stephen Fitzsimons Lionel FAUCHER ?? Sophie Désert Elaine Powell Thought Disruptor?? Keynote and TEDx Speaker Mark Lovett Samantha Newey Stephen Nobles Emma Baylin FRSA Simon Groom Chris Perkins Angie Stewart Emma ‘M’ Shaw Elaine Benfield Kerry Lockyer ??????/?? Kate Jenkinson PhD, FCIPD (she, her) Marcela Ceccacci Brown Tracey Lyon-Mercado Patricia Janssens