Networking That Actually Works: Simple Shifts to Grow Your Influence & Income

Great networks don’t magically appear; they grow from real conversations, genuine curiosity, and showing up for the people around you. In this episode, you’ll hear how shifting the way you connect can unlock more opportunities than chasing one-off clients ever could. Devin Sizemore, Business Strategist, Author, and the Creator of the Connection Expansion System, shares how he’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs build stronger networks and bigger revenue by focusing on relationships first. His down-to-earth approach makes the whole idea of “networking” feel way more human and a lot less intimidating.Devin breaks down how simply changing your ask can open doors you didn’t even know were there. He talks through his “Win Every Meeting” mindset and why leading with value makes collaboration feel natural instead of transactional. We also get into his practical follow-up habits that actually work, especially for entrepreneurs who feel overwhelmed or forget to circle back. He also shares lessons learned from running a cat café, proving these strategies work in any industry.If you’ve been craving a more organic, ease-filled way to grow your business and your inner circle, this conversation gives you the exact shifts that make networking feel lighter, smarter, and more aligned. You’ll walk away with simple strategies you can try immediately to strengthen your relationships and spark new opportunities. And if you want to streamline the systems behind your business, this episode is brought to you by Go High Level, the AI-powered operating platform trusted by over 2 million businesses to help automate, scale, and create real leverage. Visit https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promo for an exclusive 30-day trial for Inside the Speakeasy listeners.Key Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction.[00:02:17] Shift your ask for connections.[00:06:55] Community building through networking.[00:09:26] Networking for business growth.[00:11:51] Strategic connections for growth.[00:15:17] What strategic referrals look like.[00:19:35] The power of strategic introductions.[00:21:56] Winning every meeting.[00:25:30] Networking through referrals.[00:28:40] Importance of follow-up systems.[00:30:53] Nurture email response strategies.[00:32:28] Community and collaboration experiences.Memorable Quotes:"I want to add so much value as quick in a relationship as I can so that at some point when I need to cash in, people will respond." [00:18:46] – Devin Sizemore"Let's be the ones that follow up. Let's be the ones that add value without counting to see who's keeping score. And then let's build a system where we're architecting in a way where we win." [00:28:59] – Devin SizemoreLinks Mentioned:Go High Level: https://www.gohighlevel.com/speakeasy-mastermind-promoConnect with Devin Sizemore:Website: https://devinsizemore.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpsizemore/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpsizemoreLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpsizemore/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devinsizemoreConnect with Eric Berman:Website: https://speakeasymastermind.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakeasymastermind/FacSupport the show