Kelby Strohm on The Power of Networking: How Building Relationships Drives Business Success

Building meaningful connections is a cornerstone of long-term business success. Whether you’re launching a startup or advancing in a corporate career, your network often determines your access to opportunities, insights, and partnerships. As explained by Kelby Strohm, networking isn’t just about collecting contacts—it’s about building relationships that offer mutual value over time. 

It can open doors to new clients, mentorships, collaborations, and even friendships. Strong professional relationships foster trust, which often leads to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. In today’s hybrid world, networking happens everywhere: from industry events to LinkedIn threads and casual coffee chats to online communities. 

Yet, effective networking requires more than just showing up—it takes consistency, sincerity, and follow-through. Knowing how to start, what to avoid, and how to maintain genuine engagement can transform your approach and lead to growth you might not anticipate.

Why Strong Relationships Matter

When people trust your work ethic and integrity, they’re more likely to recommend your services, return as customers, or collaborate on new opportunities. A trusted referral often carries more weight than any advertisement or pitch. It brings a level of credibility that’s difficult to replicate through traditional marketing.

Long-term relationships also reduce the friction of doing business. A supplier who knows your needs can offer better terms, just as a loyal client may be more forgiving during the occasional hiccup. These connections often grow into reliable partnerships that contribute to stability and sustained success.

Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tools. A satisfied customer telling a colleague about your product can lead to unexpected growth without any added expense. Relationships create momentum that builds over time. It’s this organic growth that often sustains small businesses and independent professionals.

Networking in a Business Setting

Opportunities to connect are everywhere—from structured industry conferences to casual local meetups. Some professionals find value in attending trade shows or joining their local chamber of commerce, where they can meet others with similar goals or complementary skills.

Digital platforms have also reshaped the networking landscape. LinkedIn, for example, allows users to engage with professionals across the globe. Participating in niche forums or online communities can lead to meaningful dialogue and open doors that geography might otherwise close. Engagement in webinars and virtual panels has also emerged as a strong alternative.

Not all networking feels formal. A conversation at a coffee shop or a quick chat after a workshop can spark a connection that grows into something larger. Being open to these moments, regardless of the setting, keeps the network growing in unexpected ways. Even shared interests outside of work can serve as a bridge.

The Impact of Networking on Business Growth

Networking often acts as a bridge to valuable insights and mentorship that might not be accessible otherwise. A single conversation with a seasoned professional can reshape your strategy or help you avoid costly mistakes. These exchanges accelerate learning and influence future decisions. Fresh perspectives can challenge your assumptions and refine your direction.

Bringing new clients or collaborators into the fold becomes more organic when your name circulates through trusted circles. Someone who’s familiar with your reputation may reach out with a project or referral, cutting through the time it takes to build credibility from scratch. In many cases, that warm introduction becomes the foundation for a lasting business relationship.

It’s also about visibility. The more consistently you show up in discussions, events, or online spaces, the more people associate your name with reliability and expertise. That credibility compounds over time, often leading to opportunities you didn’t actively seek.

Habits That Make Networking Effective

Consistency is key. People are more likely to remember and trust those who show up regularly, whether that’s at monthly industry breakfasts or through thoughtful engagement on professional platforms. Being present builds familiarity. It also shows dedication, which can set you apart in a crowded space.

A genuine offer to help tends to stand out. Sharing a useful article, making an introduction, or simply listening with interest can leave a lasting impression. Over time, these efforts create a foundation of goodwill that makes others more inclined to reciprocate. That mutual support becomes the backbone of a strong network.

Following up keeps connections alive. A quick message after meeting someone or a note to check in months later can reignite momentum. It shows you value the relationship beyond a one-time interaction. Even a brief check-in can lead to renewed collaboration or valuable updates.

Getting Started and Avoiding Pitfalls

Approaching networking with clear goals turns vague interactions into meaningful ones. Whether you’re looking to learn from others, find collaborators, or grow your presence, having direction helps focus your efforts. Without a purpose, it’s easy to drift from one interaction to the next without building anything lasting.

Social media can be powerful when used with purpose, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of surface-level interactions. Thoughtful engagement—commenting with insight, sharing relevant updates, or starting dialogues—adds far more value than collecting contacts. Taking time to personalize your outreach ensures your message doesn’t get lost in the noise.

One mistake many make is treating networking as a transaction. People can sense when they’re being sized up for usefulness. Relationships built on authenticity tend to last longer and yield more than those driven purely by self-interest.