What It Should Feel Like to Network
If you’ve ever walked into a networking event with that slight knot in your stomach, wondering whether it’s going to feel awkward or a bit forced, you’re definitely not the only one.
For a lot of women, networking sits in that category of things you know you should do… but don’t always look forward to. It can feel transactional, a little performative and sometimes even slightly intimidating.
But every so often, you step into a room that completely changes how you see it.
That’s what happened to me on Monday.
I went to a networking event hosted by Wild and Wild, led by April Wild, at The Venue in Alderley Edge with a creative panel consisting of Avalana from Avalana Designs, Sarah MD from Arighi Bianchi, Frederica from Studio Dimora And from the moment I walked in, something just felt… different.
Not in a big, loud way. More like a quiet exhale. The kind of space where you think, “oh, I can actually relax here.”
First impressions really do matter
You know that moment when you walk into a room and, without even realising it, you start taking everything in?
Who’s here, what the energy feels like and where you might fit.
Within a few minutes, something became really clear.
No one was trying to be the loudest.
No one was trying to prove anything.
And no one was acting like they were above anyone else.
It was just… warm. Genuinely warm.
People were smiling, starting conversations without any awkwardness. It didn’t feel cliquey or closed. It felt open, which makes such a difference.
Because when you feel comfortable, you show up differently. You talk more easily. You actually listen. You connect properly, not just on the surface.
It wasn’t about selling
There’s often this unspoken pressure at networking events to be “on”, isn’t there?
To have your pitch ready or to say the right thing or come across as polished
But the truth is, the best connections rarely come from perfectly practised introductions. They come from real conversations, the kind that aren’t rushed or rehearsed.
And that’s what this event was full of.
Yes, people were talking about what they do, but more importantly, they were talking about why they do it. Sharing bits of their journey. The highs, the harder parts, everything in between. Asking questions and actually listening to the answers.
No one seemed in a hurry to move on. No box ticking. Just proper, human interaction.
And that’s the stuff people remember.
Being in the right room changes everything
You can feel it when a space is right for you.
It’s not about numbers or how “successful” everyone looks on paper. It’s about how the room makes you feel when you’re in it. This one felt supportive and encouraging. Positive without being overwhelming. And one thing really stood out.
There was no negativity.
No comparison. No quiet competition. No underlying tension.
Just women supporting women, lifting each other up, and making space for everyone to be seen. That kind of environment does something to you. Because when people feel safe, they open up. And when they open up, that’s when real relationships start forming.
Adding something meaningful to the space
While I was there, I was capturing headshots and creating content for some of the women attending.
Watching someone step in front of the camera, a little unsure at first, then slowly relaxing, starting to laugh, finding their comfort… it never gets old. I also took lots of reportage photography, capturing the event as it happens.
No pressure. No stiff posing, just relaxed, real moments being captured as they happened.
It all blended into the day rather than feeling like a separate thing.
The conversations that stay with you
You know those conversations that stick with you afterwards? The ones you think about on the drive home.
The ones that make you feel inspired, or reassured, or just understood. (Fran from Scabetti , you know what I’m talking about)
There were a lot of those.
Little moments that might seem small, but actually carry weight.
A shared experience, a bit of advice, a kind word at the right time. That’s what builds relationships over time. Not business cards or quick introductions.
Why this matters
We spend so much time connecting online now that being in a room like this feels even more important. Because behind every business is a person.
Someone with a story. Someone figuring things out as they go. Someone hoping they’re heading in the right direction.
And when you meet those people in real life, in a space that feels supportive, it brings you back to what actually matters.
It’s not just about growing a business.
It’s about building relationships. Finding your people. Feeling like you belong in the room.
What networking should feel like
It should feel like this.
Warm. Welcoming. Relaxed.
It should feel easy to be yourself, without second guessing everything you say. Conversations should flow, not feel forced. People should be interested in you, not just what you can offer them.
And when you leave, you should feel like you’ve gained something.
More confidence. More clarity. More connection.
Some business advice, take aways I left with
Trust your gut
Learn from negatives
Find community
Smoke and mirrors
What’s the best that could happen
Don’t let it linger move on reset
If you’ve been holding back
If networking has ever felt uncomfortable or just not “your thing”, it might not be networking itself.
It might just be that you haven’t found the right rooms yet.
Because when you do, everything shifts.
You stop overthinking, stop trying to fit in and start enjoying it.
And you realise that networking, when it’s done right, isn’t about selling yourself. It’s about showing up, connecting, and letting the right people find you.