Hit 50 real connections in my Atlanta networking group last month and it felt weird

I've been going to these local meetups for about a year now. Last month I counted up and realized I had 50 people I could actually call for advice or a coffee chat. That number surprised me because I thought I was just showing up and making small talk. But over time I started remembering peoples' kids names, their work struggles, and what they needed help with. It wasn't about trading business cards or pitching my services. It just happened naturally from being consistent at the same events every few weeks. Has anyone else hit a milestone number like that in their network and felt caught off guard by it?

3 comments

3 Comments

emma_jones9d ago

50 connections deep is when people start accidentally mentioning you in job interviews.

brooke4489d ago

Keep a spreadsheet with their kids names and coffee order, trust me it pays off.

viola_garcia568d ago

My husband thought I was crazy when I started a whole notebook on each client's dog names and favorite sports teams after year two. I have like 40 entries now and it honestly saved me when one of my biggest clients mentioned his kid's soccer game and I could ask how it went like a week later. He literally said "you remembered that?" and I just smiled. It's not even about being fake, it just makes people feel like you actually care about them as people, not just transactions. The spreadsheet thing sounds extra but I bet it works way better than just trying to remember stuff in your head all the time.