How To Network as a Coach (Even If You Hate Networking)
You're at a conference, a local business event, or maybe just a friend's dinner party. Someone asks what you do. And suddenly your brain goes blank. You mumble something about coaching, they nod politely, and the conversation moves on. Sound familiar?
Networking has a terrible reputation — and honestly, most of us are doing it wrong. We either avoid it entirely or show up with an energy that feels transactional and forced. But here's the thing: relationships are how most coaching businesses grow. Not ads. Not algorithms. People.
This episode is part two of our five-part series, "The Conversations That Build Coaching Businesses." We're talking about what to say — and how to show up — when you meet someone who could become a client, a referral source, or a collaborator. Whether you're an introvert who dreads small talk or you just don't know what to say when someone asks what you do, this episode will help you approach networking in a way that feels genuine, not gross.
In this episode, I cover:
- Why networking feels so uncomfortable for most coaches (and how to reframe it)
- The mindset shift from transactional to relational networking
- What to say when someone asks "What do you do?" — a simple formula that works
- The art of being interested, not just interesting
- How to talk about your work in a way that opens doors (and makes you easy to refer)
- Networking strategies for introverts and people who find this draining
- Online networking: building relationships through DMs, comments, and communities
- What to do after you meet someone — the follow-up that actually builds relationships
- How to spot potential referral partners and collaborators (and what to say to them)
Coming up in this series:
- Episode 92: The "Not Right Now" Conversation
- Episode 93: The Price Conversation
- Episode 94: The Difficult Client Conversation
LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE
Resources & Links:
Author & Host
Wendy McCallum
Business Coach for Coaches, Burnout & Alcohol Coach for High Achievers
I’m Wendy McCallum — a coach, mentor, and former lawyer who’s spent the last 15 years helping people build lives and businesses they actually want to wake up to. When I first left law, I had no guidebook for how to do this coaching thing. I floundered — hard. I undercharged, overthought, and overinvested in shiny solutions that didn’t really move the needle. But every mistake taught me something, and eventually, I built the kind of coaching practice I once only dreamed about — one that’s profitable, sustainable, and full of work I truly love. Today, I coach two kinds of people: ✨ Busy professionals who are ready to make big, meaningful changes — whether that's finding balance, recovering from burnout, or rethinking their relationship with alcohol. ✨ And newer coaches who are building their businesses from the ground up and want a clear, sustainable path forward without all the gimmicks and noise. Whether I’m helping someone simplify their business or reclaim their personal life, the heart of my work is the same: giving smart, capable people the clarity, encouragement, and real-world tools they need to move forward — in a way that feels good, not overwhelming. If you’re ready for something better — in your work, your life, or your business — you’re in the right place. And I’m so glad you’re here. IMPORTANT: Blog content including Wendy's podcasts are for information purposes only and not intended in any way to be health advice. Please see full Terms of Use, by clicking on the link in the footer of this page, for details.
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