LinkedIn groups vs local meetups - local meetups crushed it for me

I spent a whole year posting in LinkedIn entrepreneur groups, trying to build connections. Got maybe 5 real conversations out of it. Then I went to a local meetup in Austin last month at this small coffee shop. In one night I met 3 people who actually introduced me to suppliers and gave me real advice. The difference is face to face trust. Online feels like shouting into a void. But when you sit across from someone and talk about pricing or logistics, they open up way more. Has anyone else had way better luck with in person stuff over online groups?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_jones8911d agoMost Upvoted

Went to a local coffee shop meetup last month and got my first mentor from it.

haydenj9010d ago

Honest to god, that first mentor relationship can be hit or miss until you figure out what actually works for you. My advice is to set up a clear schedule from the start, like every two weeks for 30 minutes, so expectations are out in the open. Some people ghost after a few meetings, but having a simple agenda helps keep things on track. Also, don't be afraid to ask for specific feedback on one thing you're working on, not just general life advice. That's where I saw the most growth, narrowing it down to something manageable. Your mileage may vary, but keeping it simple and consistent made all the difference for me.

james_butler10d ago

Read a post from that "Masters of Scale" newsletter saying the same thing. They cited some study showing face to face meetings build trust 34x faster than digital ones. Makes sense when you think about it. You can read body language, gauge if someone's actually listening, and follow up on the spot instead of waiting three days for a reply. That Austin meetup sounds exactly like what I keep hearing works. The coffee shop vibe is key too. Fancy networking events feel fake. Casual spots where people are just hanging out, that's where the real conversations happen.