WHY DIDN’T THE EVENT WORK?
“I went to an event and nothing happened.”
We've heard this one before.
You went to an event. You talked to a few people. You went home.
The next morning, nothing had changed.
No new client. No new deal. No life-changing opportunity waiting in your inbox.
So you think:
“That didn't work.”
But let's look at what actually happened.
ONE EVENT ISN'T A NETWORKING STRATEGY.
Walking into a room once and expecting business to come out of it is a little like going to the gym once and wondering why you're not in better shape.
Relationships don't work that way.
You meet someone.
You talk.
You learn what they do.
You see them again.
You follow up.
You have another conversation.
Eventually, you stop being strangers.
That's when things start to happen.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE EVENT?
This is the part that's easy to overlook.
Did you connect with the people you met?
Did you send a message the next day?
Did you invite someone to another event?
Did you schedule a one-on-one?
Did you look them up in the directory?
Did you introduce them to someone you know?
Did you simply say, “It was great meeting you. Let's stay in touch” — and then actually stay in touch?
Because the event may have done exactly what it was supposed to do.
It started the conversation.
You may just not have finished it.
STOP MEASURING EVERY CONVERSATION IN DOLLARS.
Not everyone you meet is going to become a client.
And they shouldn't.
Maybe the person you meet isn't your next client.
Maybe they know your next client.
Maybe they know an investor.
Maybe they know a business owner who needs exactly what you provide.
Maybe they become a referral partner.
Or maybe you simply become friends.
You don't know the value of a relationship when you first meet someone.
That's why you build relationships before you need them.
COME BACK.
Awepra offers more than 200 events a year.
Weekly Cocktails with the CEOs.
Monthly Open House events.
Masterclasses.
Special experiences.
Winery Rallies.
Monterey Car Week.
And more opportunities throughout the year to see familiar faces and meet new ones.
That's intentional.
We're not trying to create a room where you shake 50 hands and collect 50 business cards.
We're trying to create a community where you keep seeing the same people.
Because familiarity can lead to trust.
Trust can lead to relationships.
And relationships can create opportunities.
TRY THIS INSTEAD.
The next time you attend an event, don't make your goal “get a client.”
Make your goal:
Meet three people you genuinely want to know.
Then, within the next few days:
Reach out to them.
Invite one to coffee.
Schedule a one-on-one.
Come to another event.
Introduce them to someone.
Then do it again.
And again.
Because the real question isn't:
“What happened at the event?”
It's:
“What did I do with the relationships I started there?”
An event can open the door.
You still have to walk through it.
