84. How to Build Relationships That Create Opportunities (Riley McGhee)

“At the end of your life, all you really have are the relationships you’ve built – and the stories you can tell.”That idea stayed with me after this conversation.In business, we often talk about strategies, funnels and growth. But behind every opportunity – every client, every collaboration, every breakthrough – there’s a relationship.In this episode, I sit down with Riley McGhee to explore how those relationships actually begin.Not with a pitch.Not with a script.But with a simple, human conversation.Riley shares his Authentic Outreach framework – a practical way to reach out, build trust and create opportunities without sounding transactional or forced. We talk about why most outreach feels fake, how to start conversations that people want to respond to, and how to turn those conversations into meaningful business outcomes.But what made this conversation stand out for me is something deeper.Instead of just talking about tactics, Riley talks about the principles behind them.Why being genuinely interested in others makes you more interesting.Why many experts struggle to explain what they do.Why we often build offers based on what we think – instead of what the market actually needs.And he shares a powerful story of how one message to  @markleruste  led to a relationship that shaped his entire career.Because in the end, business is about people.What You’ll Learn:- Why most outreach fails (and what to do instead)- How to start conversations that feel natural- The 3-step framework to build real relationships- How to turn conversations into opportunities- Why clarity is the key to better offers and presentationsIn This Episode: 00:46 – What “Authentic Outreach” Really Means04:51 – Why Outreach Feels Inauthentic (“Pitch Slap”)08:09 – How to Start Conversations That Get Replies11:39 – The 3 I’s Framework (Intro, Interest, Invite)11:48 – Be Interested to Be Interesting14:44 – Why “Being Normal” Wins in Business28:08 – Turning Conversations into Opportunities (The Invite)33:26 – Calls vs Webinars: What’s the Right Next Step?37:51 – Why Most Offers Don’t Work38:33 – Simplify to Clarify (Trim the Fat)43:39 – The Curse of Knowledge in Sales49:39 – The Message That Changed His Career01:02:15 – Why Relationships Hold True ValueIf you want to build stronger relationships, communicate more clearly, and create more opportunities – this episode will change how you think about outreach.We hope you enjoy it.———————Riley McGhee:  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileymcghee - Website - & Newsletter: https://leverageaccelerator.co Podcast & YouTube: https://leverageaccelerator.co/podcast Recommended books: - How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie ———————IDEAS ON STAGE RESOURCES - Timeless Presenter (book) – early access: https://bit.ly/timeless-presenter-early-list - Confident Presenter (book) – free copy: https://bit.ly/confident-presenter-free- Business Presentation Revolution (book): https://www.ideasonstage.com/resources/books/business-presentation-revolution-book/ - The Confident Presenter Scorecard: https://ideasonstage.com/score - Free Web Class: https://www.ideasonstage.com/uk/events/   #IdeasOnStagePodcast #CommunicationSkills #BusinessDevelopment #ClientCommunication #RelationshipBuilding