We’ve all been there

You walk into a “networking” event. The air smells faintly of hairspray and nerves. A man in an ill-fitting suit is already handing you his card before you finish saying your name. Someone else is rehearsing their elevator pitch to the buffet. Everyone’s pretending to feel confident, but in reality, it’s just business cards and forehead sweat.

Traditional networking was supposed to help us grow. Instead, it usually leaves us wondering if we need a shower.

Why it doesn’t work anymore

The old-school version of networking was built for a different world. It rewards talking over listening, collecting contacts instead of building relationships, and measuring success by how many people you “worked the room” with. But most of us aren’t looking for surface-level exchanges. We’re craving community.

When connection becomes transactional, it stops being meaningful. Real growth doesn’t come from pushing your business card into a stranger’s hand. It comes from showing up, having honest conversations, and building trust over time.

And the truth is, our energy knows the difference.

What actually works

The good news? There’s a better way. You can still grow your business, meet incredible people, and build a strong network without the cringe. It starts with a few simple shifts:

1. Be intentional

Before you walk into any event, pause and ask yourself: Who am I looking to connect with? What do I actually need right now? Maybe it’s a collaborator, a creative spark, or just a friendly face who gets it. When you know your “why,” it’s easier to have conversations that matter.

Intentionality turns networking into relationship-building. It changes the energy from “What can I get?” to “Who can I grow with?”

2. Lead with value

The best connectors are givers. They listen more than they talk and make people feel seen. Ask questions. Offer help. Celebrate someone else’s win. When you lead with generosity, people remember how you made them feel, and that’s what builds lasting relationships.

3. Follow up like a human

Skip the copy-and-paste DMs. Send a short, genuine note that references your conversation. “I loved what you said about growing through collaboration. Let’s grab coffee soon.” Small, thoughtful follow-ups create momentum and trust.

4. Be consistent

Connection compounds. The more often you show up, the more natural it feels. Community is built through repetition, not one-time interactions. That’s why memberships and recurring events work so well. They give relationships time to take root.

5. Prioritize quality over quantity

You don’t need to meet fifty people in a night. You just need one or two meaningful conversations with women who inspire you, challenge you, or share your vision. When you stop chasing “more,” you start finding “better.”

How Twine does it differently

At Twine, we believe connection should feel natural, not forced. Yes, we’re technically a “network” of purpose-driven women (in case you don’t know: Twine = Together Women Inspire: Network & Events), but our events are anything but your typical networking scene. We strive to eliminate the awkward introductions and stiff handshakes. We are real women showing up for real conversation, collaboration, and of course, a little fun.

We host all kinds of events and we host them regularly so women can see each other more than once.  Real relationships take time. Our monthly membership makes it easy to keep showing up so friendships form, ideas flow, and business growth feels organic.

We call it connection with purpose. It’s half business, half social, and all about progress.

Here’s the proof (and a few flex-worthy stats)

If you need data to back up your intuition that meaningful connection beats old-school networking every time, here you go:

• People with strong social relationships have a 50% higher chance of living longer.

• Regular, in-person connection reduces stress and improves creativity and confidence.

• Authentic relationships are the top predictor of business referrals and collaboration success.

• Only 16% of Americans say they feel very attached to their local community, yet those who do report higher overall well-being.

So no, it’s not “just you.” Transactional networking feels bad because it is bad. We’re built for belonging, not collecting.

The takeaway

The next time you step into a room of strangers, remember this: you don’t have to “work the room.” You just have to be in it. Look for the conversations that feel easy. Ask real questions. Be curious. Follow the energy that feels genuine.

And if you’re craving spaces that make this feel natural, you already know where to find them.

💫 Connection is not about collecting contacts. It’s about creating community.

When you’re ready to step out IRL and connect with amazing, purpose driven women in business, there will be a Twine event waiting for you!