I’ve been in business long enough to know that if your pipeline feels slow, your networking probably is too.
2026 isn’t the year I sit back and hope referrals magically appear, it’s the year of intentional, strategic, unapologetic outreach.
Here’s what I’m adding to my mix and maybe it sparks something for you too.
1. More Deliberate Outreach
For a while, I let all networking, other than Adrian’s Network, become passive.
This year, I’m being more deliberate:
- Identifying specific people I want to know
- Reaching out with purpose
- Following up (yes, again)
- Asking for the coffee, the Zoom, the lunch
Not “let’s stay in touch,” but more “let’s actually connect” and there’s a difference.
2. More In-Person (Because Energy Wins)
We’ve all gotten comfortable behind screens. They’re efficient, and definitely convenient, but nothing replaces being in the room. Eye contact and shared laughter are everything because they offer the subtle cues that tell you whether someone is your kind of people.
When I built my first business, it was fueled by in-person networking events that lasted hours, conversations at bars, introductions that turned into contracts. I’m bringing it back with more face-to-face and more real-world connection.
3. More Cold (Warm) Emails
Yes. I said cold, and no, I don’t mean spammy nonsense. I mean thoughtful outreach to people I don’t yet know but should.
I built my sales training business through cold outreach. It worked because it wasn’t random. It was targeted and respectful so I’m revisiting those skills now, as I build my content creation business.
We don’t know each other yet, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.
4. New Events & Get-Togethers
If the right rooms don’t exist, create them. I’ve always believed this.
So 2026 includes:
- Smaller, curated gatherings
- Topic-driven masterminds
- Strategic dinners
- Collaborative events
When you control the room, you shape the conversation and when you shape the conversation, you elevate the quality of relationships inside it.
5. Restarting “6 in the City” Lunches
Some things work and then we stop doing them. My “6 in the City” lunches were simple:
Six smart people around one table and two hours with real conversation. No pitch-fests or awkward name tags.
It was fabulous and so they’re back!
Because sometimes growth isn’t about inventing something new, it’s about returning to what already worked.
I know where I am and I know where I want to go, and I also know that no algorithm, no AI tool, no passive posting strategy replaces human connection.
Networking built my businesses before, and it will build the next evolution too.
Hope isn’t a plan, action is.