Some people love posting on LinkedIn. Most people don’t.
And if you’re in the second group, you might be wondering: how do I network without playing the content game?
Good news: you can build a powerful network without posting, without “personal branding,” and without becoming a professional influencer. The goal is simple: real conversations with real humans that lead to momentum in real life.
First: define what “networking” actually means
Networking is not collecting contacts. It’s building relationships that create:
- opportunities (jobs, clients, partnerships)
- feedback (people who will tell you the truth)
- support (mentors, peers, accountability)
- access (introductions and invitations)
If your networking doesn’t create any of those, it’s just small talk with extra steps.
9 ways to network without posting on LinkedIn
1) Run “two coffees a week”
Set a simple quota: two coffee chats per week (in person if possible). The compounding effect is wild.
- Week 1: awkward
- Week 6: you’re getting introductions
- Week 12: you’re getting invited into rooms
2) Ask better questions (skip the generic ones)
Good questions create good conversations. Try:
- “What are you working on right now that feels hard?”
- “What do you wish you knew 12 months ago?”
- “Who’s doing interesting work in this city that I should meet?”
- “What’s the fastest way you’ve seen someone get good at this?”
3) Become a super-connector (even if you’re early-career)
You don’t need status to be valuable. You need attention and follow-through.
When you meet two people who should know each other, do a clean intro:
- 1 sentence on who each person is
- 1 sentence on why they should connect
- then get out of the way
4) Go where builders go (events are the cheat code)
Online networking is fine. Local networking is leverage. Show up to:
- startup meetups
- industry breakfasts
- founder nights
- demo days
- coworking community events
If you keep “networking” online, you keep it in theory. Events turn it into reality.
5) Do one follow-up that most people won’t do
Most people say “let’s keep in touch” and disappear. Don’t be most people.
After a good conversation, send:
- one specific takeaway you appreciated
- one relevant resource (link, person, article, tool)
- one clear next step (coffee next week? intro? quick call?)
6) Build in public without “posting”
You don’t need a feed. You need proof.
Create artifacts people can point to:
- a tiny portfolio page
- a short case study
- a GitHub repo
- a one-page “what I’m working on” doc
When someone asks “what do you do?” you can show them something real.
7) Use DMs like a human (short, clear, low-pressure)
Here’s a simple message that works:
Hey [Name] — I’m [Name]. I saw you’re working on [specific thing]. I’m local to [city] and I’d love to hear how you think about [specific question]. Would you be open to a quick coffee sometime next week?
No pitch. No essay. No “pick your brain.” Just a real ask.
8) Stop trying to meet “important people” and start meeting the right people
The best relationships usually start sideways:
- peers at your level
- people 1–2 years ahead of you
- operators who actually do the work
Those are the people who will grow with you. And they’re often easier to meet.
9) Use a local-first network (not a content feed)
Feeds reward attention. Local-first tools reward connection.
That’s the lane Thawe is built for: finding real professionals near you, starting real conversations, and turning those conversations into meetups, collaborations, and opportunities.
What to do next (simple plan)
- This week: book two coffees
- Next week: go to one event
- After that: introduce two people
Do that for 30 days and you’ll feel your network wake up.
Sources
- LinkedIn user agreement (platform positioning and use cases): linkedin.com
- Meetup blog (networking via events): Meetup Blog