Show Up or Sub Up: Why Active Networking Attendance Drives Results
Visibility: More Than Just Being in the Room
In networking, visibility is more than simply turning up — it’s about being noticed for the right reasons. You can attend every meeting on the calendar, but if you’re not actively engaging, you might still be invisible.
Active members stand out because they:
- Engage in conversations and ask insightful questions.
- Share advice, resources, and introductions.
- Celebrate the wins of others.
- Bring guests who add value to the group.
When you contribute in this way, you position yourself as a trusted and valuable connection. This builds goodwill, credibility, and trust — the cornerstones of meaningful business relationships.
Why Networking Works
At Hatched, we believe the best business opportunities are built on relationships. Networking creates the perfect space to foster those relationships — especially when the right people are consistently in the room together.
Membership-based groups like Top Networking have an advantage: the same people turn up regularly, trust grows naturally, and collaborations happen more easily. While it’s worth exploring different formats, we’ve seen that consistent attendance delivers stronger results and longer-term value.
The Power of Consistent Attendance
Marketing often comes down to Know, Like, and Trust — the idea that people are more likely to do business with those they know, like, and trust.
Attending regularly gives others a chance to:
- Hear your message consistently.
- Get to know you as a person, not just a business owner.
- See your reliability over time.
This consistency means you stay top of mind when opportunities arise. It also puts you in a position to spot potential collaborations and share connections that benefit others, creating a positive cycle of support and referrals.
The Challenge of Missing Meetings
We all have commitments outside of networking — client deadlines, family events, holidays — and sometimes missing a meeting is unavoidable. But lower attendance almost always equals lower results:
- You miss meeting new members and visitors.
- Your existing relationships lose momentum.
- Your reliability may be perceived as lower.
For some, the idea of committing to regular attendance is daunting. But in our experience, the greatest networking benefits come from relationships built over time — and those relationships require showing up.
If You Can’t Attend a Meeting
Top Networking has a simple solution: invite a substitute.
Send someone who knows you and your business well — a colleague, team member, or client.
- They can speak positively about you and your work.
- They get to make their own valuable connections.
- The group benefits from meeting a fresh face.
It can also be a thoughtful way to thank a client — giving them a chance to promote their business to a new audience. Just ensure they understand the format and can represent you well.
Stronger Connections, Stronger Results
Networking is most effective when it’s active, consistent, and purposeful. Showing up — and contributing — helps you:
- Find your ideal clients.
- Build strategic partnerships.
- Generate a steady stream of referrals.
At Hatched, we’ve seen first-hand how visibility and engagement turn networking from a casual meet-and-greet into a genuine driver of business growth. The more you invest in your network, the more it will return that investment many times over.