What do you get when you bring local small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders together in one buzzing room? You get connection, collaboration, and a little bit of healthy coopetition – the spirit of building together, even as we develop our brands individually.

That’s precisely what happened at the recent joint networking event with the Paoli Business & Professional Association and the Wayne Business Association, where the energy was high, the conversations were meaningful, and the opportunities were abundant.

As the room filled with new faces and familiar friends, business cards weren’t the only things exchanged – ideas, referrals, and stories were flying, too. But in 2025, if your networking stops at the event, you’re missing half the magic.

The Real Power? LinkedIn

You can make an immediate LinkedIn connection at an event by going to the LinkedIn app on your phone. Tap the search bar at the top, and the icon to the far right, and your LinkedIn profile QR will appear, which someone can scan, or you can tap scan on your phone to scan their QR code.

If you missed that opportunity, following up online after the event will be where authentic relationships can begin to build. Whether you had a 3-minute chat by the cheese tray or a deep dive over drinks, connect intentionally and continue the conversation on LinkedIn.

Here’s how to keep the momentum going:

Follow up while the event is fresh. Personalize your LinkedIn invites: “It was great meeting you at the joint mixer!”

Tag the event and hosts in your post. Share a takeaway, a highlight, or a photo. Use hashtags like #PaoliBusinessAssociation #WayneBizPA #Networking #SupportLocal

For example, I posted on the Paoli Business Association’s LinkedIn company page. Then, I reposted it on my LinkedIn profile, adding some additional commentary and my “LinkedIn Signature.”

Engage with the businesses you met. Like, comment, and share their content – it’s free, appreciated, and builds visibility for everyone involved. Commenting on LinkedIn creates visibility, discoverability, and credibility.

Think collaboration, not competition. Maybe you’re in the same industry. That’s not a wall – it’s a window. Coopetition means growing stronger together.

Continue the Handshakes Online

In a world where inboxes are flooded and ads are ignored, human connection is still the best marketing strategy.

Events like this joint mixer are just the beginning. When we turn our handshakes into LinkedIn links offline, we move from casual connection to meaningful collaboration.

Because in our local business associations, we don’t just network – we nurture.

Did you read the article from last week? LinkedIn Tips for Visible or Stealth For-profit or Nonprofit Startups

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