Stop Showing Up and Start Connecting ~ The Art of Intentional Networking (08.20.26)

Most agents treat networking like a box to check. Show up, say hello to the same familiar faces, grab a drink, and head home. But did you actually network? Or did you just attend?There's a big difference, and that difference is intention.This episode is a candid, practical conversation about what real networking actually looks like, why it belongs in your lead generation strategy alongside open houses and database calls, and how to walk into any room, personal or professional, with a clear purpose instead of just hoping something comes from it.You'll hear what happens when you go alone on purpose, why a crutch can quietly hold you back, and how a few simple questions, "What brought you here?" and "Tell me about your business," can open doors that no ad spend ever could.But the real conversation starter in this episode is what happens *after* the event. Because networking doesn't end when you leave the room. It ends when you stop the relationship. That means following up within twenty-four hours, referencing something specific from your conversation, adding the contact to your database, and setting a real next step, not "let's stay in touch," but an actual date and an actual plan.There's also a refreshingly honest take on professional courtesies that don't get talked about enough, including how you show up at a hosted event, how you treat the people in the room, and why leading with service instead of self-promotion is almost always the move that actually grows your business.Your challenge coming out of this one is simple: before your next event, write down one clear intention. Not a number of hands to shake, but a relationship to start.Because the best business you'll ever build is built one genuine connection at a time.