Score Big Connections: Top Virtual Networking Tips for Business and Sports Pros
Mark Moyer
Business Connector, Strategic Advisor & Transition Coach - Athletes, Entrepreneurs & Industry Leaders | Fractional COO | Founder - Win Again & Clubroom Event Series | Author - "Win Again" | Speaker
10 Effective Strategies for Business and Sports Events
Networking at a virtual event can feel a bit like being at a party where everyone’s muted and wearing pajama bottoms. But these online gatherings, especially those in the Win Again Clubroom, can be game changers if you approach them strategically. Here are ten tips to help you stand out, make meaningful connections, and leave a lasting impression.
1.???? Set Clear Goals - Know what you want from the event—whether it’s new clients, industry insights, or just finding someone who loves rugby as much as you do. This helps you focus your conversations.
2.???? Perfect Your Personal Marketing Pitch (PMP) - Your intro should be concise and memorable. Try: “Hi, I’m Alex, a former coach who’s passionate about athlete safety and innovation. I also hold the record for fastest coffee consumption pre-networking event!”
3.???? Dress for Confidence - Yes, it’s virtual, but looking professional (at least from the waist up) sets the tone. It shows you’re taking the event seriously—even if your dog is napping next to you.
4.???? Use Engaging Icebreakers - A little humor goes a long way. Ask, “If you could add any sport to the Olympics, what would it be and why?” or “What’s the weirdest piece of sports trivia you know?” These spark conversations that go beyond small talk. Again, be memorable!
5.???? Be Active in the Chat - Drop thoughtful comments or questions in the chat. A quick “Great insight, Chris—how do you see that evolving post-season?” can open doors for follow-up. But in the Clubroom, most of your interaction will be face to face, make sure you make that first impression a great one!
6.???? Listen More Than You Speak - Be Interested, Not Interesting! - Genuine curiosity is key. Ask open-ended questions like, “What inspired you to join this event?” or “What’s been your biggest win this year?”
7.???? Take Notes on Key Takeaways - Keep a notebook handy for names, topics, and interesting facts. It helps personalize your follow-ups and shows you were paying attention. This is a biggie!
8.???? Don’t Oversell Yourself - Focus on building relationships, not pitching. Share your expertise when it’s relevant, but let connections unfold naturally. Nobody came into the Clubroom wanting to buy right away – keep that in mind!
9.???? Follow Up with Purpose - After the event, reach out: “Great chatting about [topic] at the event! Would love to continue the conversation over a virtual coffee.” Make it specific, genuine and personal. No canned template notes!
10.? Stay Authentic Be yourself—quirks and all. People connect with genuine personalities, not perfect ones. Yeah, I know, you're perfect, but...just be you.
Virtual networking doesn’t have to be awkward. Approach it with purpose, personality, and a dash of humor, and you’ll turn those Clubroom intros into meaningful connections.
Do you have any other tips / strategies you'd like to share with us? Add them to the comments below!
P.S. I help current and retired athletes successfully prepare for and transition to a new career and business beyond sports with my company, Win Again. I share insights on life after sports, career growth, and powerful networking opportunities. Ring the ?? at the top of my profile to stay updated on all my posts—I’d love for you to be a part of the Win Again community!
Join Us Tomorrow!
Our next Business and Sports Networking event is Tuesday, November 26th!
This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, sports professionals, and like-minded individuals passionate about the synergy between business and sports.
Whether you're looking to forge new partnerships, gain valuable insights, or simply broaden your network, this event is designed for you!
Date: November 26th
Time: 1pm ET
Location: Win Again Clubroom
Mark your calendars today and be part of a transformative networking experience unlike any other!
See you in the Clubroom!
Please note....
>>> This event will be for Win Again members and their guests only as we provide a membership platform designed to offer those in the community the ability to create long-lasting professional relationships that lead to rewarding collaborations and incredible friendships.
As a regular member, not only do you get access to all upcoming Clubroom events, but you also receive curated introductions that will directly benefit your business / career, the chance to interact with the impressive guest speakers, discounts to in-person Clubroom events, whitepapers and checklists / guides, ongoing coaching and so much more, all for a very modest monthly investment.
Making connections in business is critical to your success, (it's possible I've mentioned that before!) and meeting others who know the right people to connect you with is an essential component of growing your network.
Join the Win Again community today and have the opportunity to meet our fantastic speakers and other Win Again members and guests in the incredible Clubroom!
The Win Again Clubroom
Do yourself and your business / career a favor and join the Win Again community, you'll be thrilled you did! Not only will your network grow and become more valuable, but you'll be able to share your expertise with your fellow members and learn a bunch along the way.
See why we've had 1000+ impressive athletes, entrepreneurs, business owners and executives attend our Clubroom events which have led to over $1.5 million in deals!
The Win Again Clubroom platform is revolutionizing virtual networking because of the “live event” experience it emulates and the ease with which you can meet others and take your businesses and careers to a whole new level!
If you haven't been to the Clubroom, you'll be amazed at how easy it is to move table to table, speaking with whoever you want, whenever you want, not being stuck in breakout rooms here!
Develop valuable relationships that become collaborations - it's been such a great way to expand our networks!
For those of you who have, feel free to bring a friend or three who you believe could use an upgrade in their circle of connections!
Read more about it here: https://www.winagainacademy.com/the-clubroom
30 Seconds with Mark
Entrepreneurship 101: Just Do It
As entrepreneurs, it's easy to get stuck in the details—perfecting every plan, tweaking every strategy, and waiting for "the right moment." But here's the hard truth: there is no perfect moment, and waiting for one only slows you down.
The magic happens when you take action. Progress isn't about perfection; it's about momentum.
Why you should focus on forward motion:
So, whether you're launching a business, pitching a new idea, or tackling a problem, remember: Done is better than perfect. Take the leap and adjust mid-flight. Keep moving forward—you’ll thank yourself later.
What’s one decision or project you’ve been hesitating on? Share below in the comments—let’s keep each other accountable!
Go get 'em!
Be sure to check out the Win Again YouTube channel for more quick tips!
Win Again Assessments
Are you ready to launch a new chapter in life, and need the guidance, tips and strategies to truly catapult you forward?
Then let's partner up!
I'm certified in offering valuable assessments that feature Axiology, the study of values.
Wait until you see how they highlight not just your strengths and how to leverage them, but also some of the things that you could use some work on.
Ask to see a sample report, you'll be amazed at how thorough and accurate they are!
Whether you are a graduating student, a seasoned professional, a retiring executive or member of our military, or a current or retired athlete, there are assessments that fit your background and future careers and businesses.
Check out a few of the most valuable and insightful assessments here: https://www.winagainacademy.com/assessments
Reach out to me directly at [email protected].
WIN AGAIN! - The Job Search Playbook
AGAIN! The Job Search Playbook, is filled with over 150 pages of my proven WIN AGAIN methodology, where you’ll discover how to define your true identity outside of being an athlete, plan your path towards an ideal job and business and work towards it.
You’ll turn strangers into allies and grow your network as you position yourself for meetings and interviews, negotiate offers, and anticipate your prospective client's or employer’s needs.
WIN AGAIN helps you transition from the playing field to the boardroom. Yes, there’s competition in the corporate world, but you’re used to competing.
You’ve already got an edge!!
You can join the WIN AGAIN social media pages, its LinkedIn Group, Facebook page and follow on Twitter to be able to access exclusive content just for you.
Order your copy of Win Again! here: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Again-Athletic-Excellence-Business/dp/0999387103/
ABOUT ME
Combining my passion for sports and a desire to help others succeed, I founded Win Again, where current and former athletes can discover their identity beyond sports, develop the structure needed to succeed again, and receive the tips, strategies and actionable advice that allows them to WIN AGAIN and be elite in their next great career.
Over the past 20+ years as a business advisor and career coach, I have guided athletes and executives, holding them accountable during their transition.
The Win Again Clubroom events, "Make Your Mark" podcasts, and MYM Live webinars highlight athletes who are making a positive impact post-playing career, and my book “Win Again!” is a job search playbook for athletes, equipping them with strategies needed to land their ideal job or boost their entrepreneurial ventures.
As a graduate of Colgate University and a longtime Manhattan resident with my wife, kids, and Duke, I enjoy playing ice hockey, softball and golf, along with the guitar and piano.
Reach out to me anytime and let me know how I can be of service!
If you've read this far, many thanks for sharing your time with us at Win Again and have a great rest of your day!
Thanks to our Win Again partners!