In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, we tackle the question almost everyone asks after their third lukewarm networking event:
“Okay… but how do I actually get clients from this?”
Short answer?
You don’t rush it. You don’t pressure people. And you definitely don’t treat humans like walking ATMs.
Long answer?
That’s what this episode is for.
We break down what really converts conversations into clients, why networking is a long game (even when you’re doing everything “right”), and how patience, volume, and emotional intelligence matter more than the perfect pitch.
This is the episode where we get honest about pipelines, timing, consent-based follow-up, and the quiet cost of pushing people before they’re ready.
In this episode, we unpack:
- Why networking is about stacking your pipeline, not instant conversions
- The reality of modern B2B buying decisions (hint: it takes more people and more time than it used to)
- How many follow-ups is too many—and how to know when to stop
- Why “getting a yes” doesn’t mean you have a client (yet)
- The difference between curiosity and pressure (and why pressure always backfires)
- How reputation travels faster than you think in local business ecosystems
- Why “good people know other good people” is the most underrated growth strategy
- What readiness really looks like—from both sides of the table
- How networking exposes whether your offer, language, or positioning needs to evolve
We also talk candidly about:
- Avoidance, money discomfort, and why people say yes when they’re not ready
- Why likability and trust matter more than clever sales tactics
- How networking helps you test your message in real time
- When it’s time to admit you’re in the wrong room—and what to do next
If you’ve ever left an event thinking “Was that a win… or just a nice conversation?”, this episode will help you recalibrate your expectations without killing your momentum.
Keep in touch!
Follow Megan Eckman
Follow Mary Williams
