What stage of networking are YOU in?

How to Turn Your Business Connections into Actual Growth

After hosting hundreds of networking events over the past decade, I’ve learned that successful networking isn’t just about collecting business cards; it's about moving through three key stages that deepen relationships and drive real results.

So the big question is: What stage are you in right now?

Stage 1: Awareness – Building Visibility and Reputation

At this first stage, networking helps increase your exposure. When you align yourself with credible, influential people, their association alone can raise your profile. This stage is all about making your name known and building a reputation through word-of-mouth, recommendations, and social proof.

Goal: To establish trust, gain recognition, and start attracting opportunity.

Stage 2: Affiliation – Forming Strategic Partnerships

Once you’ve built visibility, you move into the affiliation stage. Here’s where networking goes deeper: it's about aligning with others to create something greater than you could alone.

For instance, joint ventures, co-branded projects and collaborations can open up new markets. These partnerships help you scale, access new resources, and expand your reach more effectively and faster than going solo.

Goal: To create win-win alliances that multiply your impact and income.

Stage 3: Activation – Drive Referrals and Sales

This is where your network becomes a powerful revenue engine. Trusted contacts start referring you to clients, partners, or investors. Warm leads come in, sales pipelines fill, and business growth becomes more predictable.

Goal: To turn your network into a self-sustaining system of referrals, opportunities, and ongoing growth.

Curious to hear how this works in real life?🎧 Click here to listen to my recent Catalyst Conversations podcast interview with Hadriana Leo of Money Navigator International.