How to Find Leads and Partners (When They Don’t Go to Networking Events)
You’ve tried the events. You’ve made the rounds.
And still—no real leads. No real momentum. No real connection.
If you’re building a business, launching a project, or looking for collaborators, there’s a moment of quiet frustration that hits:
“My people just aren’t here.”
And you might be right.
Because the truth is—the people you want to connect with often don’t go to traditional networking events either. They’re tired of surface-level conversations. They’re busy. They want meaningful connections, not just more names in a spreadsheet.
If that’s true for you, then you’ll have to do something different. Something more creative. More aligned. More you.
Step 1: Stop Trying to “Network.” Start Creating Connection.
You don’t need to chase people. You need to invite them.
You don’t need to fit in. You need to stand out in a way that feels authentic.
Instead of asking, “Where are the people I need?”
Ask:
“Where would they feel seen?”
“What kind of conversations would they say yes to?”
“How can I create something they’d want to be part of?”
Networking becomes much more powerful when you stop trying to find people and start creating places—physical, digital, or energetic—where they want to show up.
Step 2: Use the JACee Method to Build Your Creative Network Strategy
When traditional approaches aren’t working, you need to get creative. But creativity under pressure is hard—unless you build a system for it.
That’s where the JACee Method comes in:
Journal
Take 5 minutes each morning to get grounded:
Who do I want to connect with today?
What kind of client or partner do I actually enjoy working with?
Where might they be spending their time?
This helps you shift from “who can I find?” to “what kind of connection do I want to create?”
Act
Take one small step each day:
Message someone who commented on a post you liked
Ask a friend if they know anyone exploring similar ideas
Start a conversation thread about a challenge your people face
Record a video about your own experience with awkward networking
No pressure. Just consistent, intentional action.
Celebrate
At the end of the day, reflect:
What worked?
Who responded?
What felt good?
What new idea did I have?
This is how you build your Golden File—a growing collection of insights, connections, and creative experiments that actually work for you.
Step 3: Be Creative. Do the Things Other People Aren’t Doing.
If the usual stuff doesn’t work, good.
That gives you permission to try something different.
Try this:
Start a personal challenge: “30 conversations in 30 days” with people you admire.
Host a mini virtual coffee: Just 3–5 people, no pressure, no pitch.
Create content about how much you dislike networking events.
Guess who will resonate with that? People like you.Build a list of places your people hang out that aren’t business-related.
Hobbies. Slack groups. Subreddits. Book clubs. Get curious.
And most importantly: write it all down.
The people who build meaningful networks aren’t just extroverts—they’re observers. They pay attention to what works, and they capture their thoughts so they can act on them later.
If you spend a few weeks journaling your insights, reflections, and ideas about connection, you’ll have:
A dozen new strategies
A clearer picture of your ideal connections
More confidence in your voice and message
Step 4: Let Content Do the Talking for You
If showing up in loud rooms isn’t your thing—make your own room.
Use your journal entries and insights to create posts, videos, or short articles like:
“Why I Stopped Going to Networking Events (And What I Do Instead)”
“Here’s How I’m Finding Partners in Unexpected Places”
“What to Say When You Want to Connect Without Feeling Salesy”
The people you want to reach will see themselves in your words.
They’ll find you—not because you were louder, but because you were clearer.
And your content becomes its own form of connection—your voice reaching people before you ever meet.
Final Thought: When You Don’t Fit the Room, Make Your Own
If networking events leave you feeling disconnected or drained, you’re not broken. You’re just not meant to do it that way.
Use the JACee Method.
Journal each morning. Take one aligned action. Celebrate your effort and ideas.
Capture your own approach to connection. Build your rhythm.
Then share it—publicly or privately—with the kinds of people who value depth, clarity, and real collaboration.
The people you’re looking for are out there.
You just might need to do something different to reach them.
Ready to find your rhythm and build connections your way?
👉 Join us at www.joeychandler.net/jcm
Because you don’t need more networking.
You need your way of connecting—and the courage to follow it.
