Two networking groups in Detroit, one worked and one didnt, here is the difference

I joined the Troy chamber mixers and a smaller group that meets at a coffee shop in Hamtramck. The Troy one had 80 people and I came home with 12 business cards, felt great. But after 3 months, zero jobs or even referrals. The Hamtramck group has maybe 15 regulars and the second time I went, a guy who does commercial flooring passed me a lead for a small office buildout, paid for 4 months of my coffee habit. I think the difference is the small group actually listens to what you do and remembers it. Big events are just handshake contests. Has anyone else found that the smaller circles pay off more than the flashy ones around here?

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kevin_martin11d ago

Small groups work because there is nowhere to hide. In a room of 80, you are just another face. In a room of 15, people notice when you show up and when you don't. The flooring guy remembered you because he saw you twice and heard you talk. My rule is to pick one small group and go every single time. Ditch the big mixers, they are for salespeople who just want to pitch.