The Networking Strategy That Finally Worked for This Introvert

Networking.

Did your stomach just turn a little?

Yeah, mine too.

Even after all these years in business, I still get that internal flinch when I hear the word. Rooms full of strangers, awkward conversations, name tags... not exactly my ideal Tuesday.

I’m an introvert by nature. One who thrives in deep one-on-one conversations, not small talk marathons. 

And as someone who’s built multiple businesses that rely heavily on connection, that presented a challenge: how do you grow a strong network without draining your soul?

The answer came from an unlikely source, a book about communication.

Michael Maher’s “The Seven Levels of Communication” introduced a concept that changed everything for me: Stacked Networking.

They’re not “events” at all.

Not the all-day conferences or breakfast clubs, no elevator speeches necessary.

It’s something much more intentional, and dare I say, fun.

Here’s how I adapted it.

I Turned Wednesdays into Networking Days…My Way

I picked a place that I wanted to be. For me, that was Changing Hands, a bookstore/coffee shop/wine bar in Central Phoenix (Books, coffee, and wine? Yes, please). 

I set up shop every Wednesday from 7am to 4pm and worked from there. Then, I reached out to people on my contact list, business acquaintances, colleagues, friends, and invited them to schedule some time to swing by for a coffee, snack, or just a chat (I’d start reaching out on Sunday and Monday). 

I didn’t pitch anything. I didn’t treat it like a sales meeting. I treated it like… time together, just hanging out, catching up.

Sometimes, I’d strategically space meetings so there was a little overlap between the 9am and the 10am. This let me make warm introductions casually, like “Oh, have you met such & such? You two should know each other. “ Those micro-moments created surprising opportunities for everyone.

That’s the power of the stack.

Every hour of the day built deeper trust, more visibility, and genuine momentum in my relationships. And unlike a big mixer where you leave with a pile of business cards and no memory of who was who, these meetings stuck. They meant something.

Here’s What I Learned:

• Make it easy on yourself. Choose a place and time that works for you, not what you think networking is “supposed” to look like. That comfort makes it sustainable. If it’s comfortable for you, you’ll do it. 

• Mix personal and professional contacts. Some of my biggest business breakthroughs came from casual catch-ups with friends. Turns out, your personal circle wants to support you, and probably knows the exact person you have identified as an ideal client. They just need to be reminded you’re still out here doing cool things.

• Use intentional overlap. Just one 5-minute intro between two contacts could spark a whole new opportunity you’re not even involved in. That’s influence.

• Don’t overthink it. This isn’t about being impressive. It’s about being real (authentic). Sitting down for 20 minutes, learning about someone else, offering support, sharing a few laughs. Trust that is enough. This is how relationships grow. 

If You’re an Introvert Like Me…

This might be the best networking strategy you’ll ever try. There’s no stage to perform on and no sales pitch to memorize. It’s just coffee, conversation, and connection.

And here’s the cool part: when you make this a habit, even just once a week, you stay top of mind in a way that feels natural. That’s how long-term opportunities show up. That’s how referrals happen.

That’s why I included stacked networking as part of my Daily Do’s and my Top of Mind Method. 

Want to give this a shot? Start small.

Pick a place you love. Block out a few hours. Invite three people you enjoy but haven’t seen in a while. Keep it light. Just be a human. Let the magic happen.

And let me know how it goes! 

If you like practical strategies like this and want the structure, support, and accountability to actually implement them, that’s exactly what we focus on inside High Performance Notary (HPN). We lean on simple systems, like the 8 Daily Do’s and the Top of Mind Method, to help notaries build real relationships, stay visible, and grow a business that lasts. If you’re tired of starting from scratch every day, come join us. You don’t have to do this alone.

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