Why I don't network traditionally and how you can try too.

Networking is one of the power tools of mankind, meeting new people, supporting initiatives, and building great connections. Traditional networking is reaching out to everyone and anyone you can at events, via social media, or through introductions.

The approach works in the moment, but most times it doesn't create a long-lasting impression that makes one unforgettable.

So then, how do you network untraditionally?

1. Networking untraditionally at events

I am an introvert, which means my social battery is very low on most days. This also means I have to be very tactical when I am at events. For every event I attend for networking purposes, I always have a mental list of personalities I'd like to meet and those I have to meet. With this approach, every "hi" and "hello" is very tactical and goal-oriented. I don't use up all my social battery and go home without results. Usually at events, depending on my goal, I do brief introductions, have small talk, and lastly, establish a means of contact — and that's it for the day.

2. Networking untraditionally by providing value first

When I was in Uni, my colleagues and I wanted to start a podcast, but we had a big challenge: we didn't have a studio. At the time, podcast studios weren't easy to find. So, what did we do? We reached out to the Manager of our Campus Radio station with the idea to create a website for their outfit — in return, they'd give us airtime for our podcast. Guess what? It worked. Now, Mr. Anim is one of my trusted contacts in the media space in Takoradi. Every time I visit Takoradi, I pass by his office to say hi. He has supported a lot of my projects since, and I have also done the same for him.

3. Networking untraditionally by building big projects

Building big projects requires you to do big things and some of those big things will have you meeting people you normally wouldn't have a reason to meet. Since we started Insights Lab (Building Bytes) with my founding partners Akweley, Caleb, and Poga, the work has required me to build relationships with people who are equally on the same journey as us. This isn't about "networking up" with CEOs of Ghana's biggest tech organisations, but about meeting and building connections with friends who are also building big projects in their early stages. Some of these people are now good friends, and if I wasn't building something like Building Bytes, I might never have seen the need to know them.

4. Networking untraditionally by volunteering

Volunteering is one free cheat code to network. Two years ago, I joined a youth program as an Employability Mentor. Through that program, I built connections with my fellow mentors and also with my mentee. It's been a couple of years since, and now I know these amazing people and they know me because we volunteered together. I see this works well for volunteering at events, too.

Networking can be a powerful tool if done right, and it can feel like a job if done wrong. At the heart of all these approaches is one idea: networking should be intentional, not exhausting. Whether it's picking the right people to talk to at events, offering value before asking for anything, building projects that naturally connect you to like-minded people, or volunteering your skills, the goal is the same: create relationships that last beyond the first handshake.

That's why I don't network traditionally I'd rather build connections that matter than collect contacts I'll never use.