15 Common Networking Mistakes That Damage Your Personal Impact

For a lot of people, networking events can feel a bit forced or unnatural. Because of that, it’s easy to fall into small networking mistakes – like being a bit too formal or focusing too much on selling yourself – without even realising it. Then you walk away thinking “that could’ve gone better.”

Once you’re aware of these patterns, they get a lot easier to avoid. At Body Talk, we’ve worked with over 100 corporate clients to overcome challenges like these.

This guide is based on those real-world insights, along with the behavioural science behind how people connect and communicate.

Let’s look at 15 common networking mistakes, and how to avoid them.

15 common networking mistakes (and how to avoid them)

If you recognise yourself in any of these, don’t be too hard on yourself. These are incredibly common, almost a rite of passage when you’re starting to put yourself out there at networking events.

1. Giving sales pitches

A lot of people are told to prepare an elevator pitch before a networking event, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s helpful to have a clear, confident way to explain what you do and the value you bring.

The issue is when you use it a little too much, or start to treat networking as solely a way to get sales. This can make the other person feel uncomfortable, or like you’re not interested in them.

Your elevator pitch works best when it fits naturally into the conversation, for example, when someone asks what you do, or when you’re both sharing about your work. So by all means, be prepared – just use it selectively, and focus on the conversation over giving a sales pitch.

2. Not finding ways to add value

This often comes from focusing mainly on what you can get from the conversation, rather than what you can give – and that’s completely normal, especially at first. When you’re new to networking, it’s natural to feel more focused on yourself, what to say, and how you’re coming across.

However, people tend to remember those who made them feel supported or who offered something genuinely useful, even in small ways.

This can be as simple as sharing a relevant article or resource, offering a perspective from your own experience, or introducing someone to a connection of yours they might benefit from speaking to.

3. Being too formal

This is something a lot of people do without realising, especially in networking situations where there’s pressure to make a good impression. The issue is that being overly formal can make you a bit stiff and difficult to relate to.

This is where congruence really matters – making sure your body language, tone, and words all align.

We’ve seen this clearly in our research at Body Talk, conducted in collaboration with University College London and the Norwegian Business School. In one part of the study, participants watched short videos of presenters delivering the exact same message, but with different styles of body language.

The results were very consistent. Presenters who used more open, grounded, and congruent body language – such as a steady stance, natural gestures, and an aligned vocal tone – were rated as more confident, convincing, knowledgeable, inspiring, and leader-like.

The key is to stay aware of your body language and aim for that sense of alignment. If you notice yourself becoming overly formal or rigid, it’s usually a sign to relax slightly – a more natural, congruent style is what helps people connect with you.

4. Not practicing active listening

Active listening is about being genuinely present and showing the other person that you’re following what they’re saying. At networking events in particular, it helps you pick up on what someone actually needs, what they care about, and where there might be a natural connection or opportunity to add value.

Simple things like maintaining eye contact, nodding, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, or briefly summarising what they’ve said can make a big difference. It changes the conversation from something surface-level into something more memorable.

5. Not responding to other peoples’ body language

Strong interpersonal skills involve picking up on other people’s cues and adjusting your approach in real time. For example, if someone is leaning in and engaged, you might explore the topic a little more. If they start looking around the room or stepping back slightly, it may be a natural moment to wrap up the conversation.

6. Going into networking without clear intention

It’s easy to arrive at a networking event and just see what happens – but that can sometimes lead to drifting between conversations or missing good opportunities simply because you’re not sure what to focus on.

A small shift that helps is setting a simple intention beforehand. It doesn’t need to be anything complicated – it could be as straightforward as wanting to meet people in a certain industry or learn more about a specific role.

It also helps to plan a few questions you might want to ask. For example, you could prepare questions like “what does a typical week look like for you?” or “how did you get into your role?”. Having these ready takes the pressure off in the moment and helps conversations flow more naturally.

It can also be useful to do a quick bit of research beforehand – looking at the guest list if there is one, checking who’s speaking, or identifying one or two people you’d genuinely like to introduce yourself to.

7. Hesitating too long before engaging

Sometimes this looks like lingering at the edge of a group or waiting for someone to invite you in, rather than simply introducing yourself. This is a really common mistake to make when networking, especially when you’re feeling a bit unsure or putting pressure on yourself to say the “right” thing.

In most cases, it’s as simple as approaching someone, smiling, and opening with something natural like a comment about the event or a simple “Hi, mind if I join you?”

If you’d like more practical ways to make that first step easier, we’ve covered this in more detail in our guide to starting conversations at networking events.

8. Focusing on business cards too much

Business cards can be useful as a simple way for people to remember you or get in touch afterwards, but be careful that you don’t make giving them out your sole aim.

When too much attention is placed on trying to exchange business cards, the conversation can start to feel transactional, and the natural flow of connection can be lost.

It’s more helpful to see business cards as something that comes naturally at the end of a good conversation, rather than something you need to secure during it.

9. Delaying your follow-up

It’s easy to leave a networking event with good intentions, fully meaning to message people afterwards, and then let a few days slip by. The challenge is that once too much time passes, the interaction stops feeling fresh, and the connection becomes harder to pick back up.

Timing matters more than perfection here. Reaching out within a day or two helps anchor the conversation while it’s still recent in both of your minds, making it much easier to build on that initial connection.

10. Relying only on memory to manage relationships

Using tools like LinkedIn can make a big difference here. Connecting with people soon after you meet them helps you keep a clear record of who they are, while also making it easier to stay in touch. It’s also helpful to quickly note down a few key points after each conversation – for example, what they do, what they’re working on, or anything personal they mentioned.

Struggling with making your follow-ups feel natural? We’ve written a simple guide on how to follow-up well after a networking event.

11. Staying within familiar groups

It can be tempting to stay within groups of people you already know when you arrive at a networking event. While it’s natural to gravitate towards familiar faces, it can limit the number of new conversations and opportunities you come away with.

Of course, it makes sense to connect with relevant people, but there is often more value in stepping slightly outside your usual circle as well. New conversations can expose you to different perspectives, industries, and opportunities you might not otherwise come across.

12. Prioritising quantity of conversations over quality

A lot of people go into networking events aiming to “work the room” or speak to as many people as possible. While that can feel productive in the moment, it often leads to surface-level conversations that are quickly forgotten rather than long-term relationships.

You tend to get more value when you slow down and focus on the quality of each interaction instead. Taking the time to engage properly often reveals more about the other person – things you can genuinely connect with and build on – compared to moving quickly from one conversation to the next.

13. Putting too much pressure on yourself

Walking into a networking event with the expectation that everything has to go perfectly can quickly make the experience feel more stressful than it needs to be. When you start overthinking how you’re coming across, it can take away from simply being present in the conversation.

This often shows up as nervousness or feeling like you need to impress everyone you speak to. In reality, most people are focused more on themselves rather than evaluating you. If you’d like practical ways to calm that mindset before and during events, we explore this in more detail in our business networking tips blog.

14. Staying in conversations longer than necessary

Getting into a good conversation can feel comfortable, especially when it’s flowing well, but staying in one interaction for too long can mean missing opportunities to meet others in the room.

At networking events, it helps to be mindful of balance in order to use your time wisely. A meaningful conversation doesn’t need to be cut short abruptly, but it also doesn’t need to carry on long past its natural conclusion.

A simple way to handle this is to recognise when the conversation has reached a natural pause, share a quick positive closing comment, and move on to connect with someone new. This keeps things feeling relaxed while still making space for more valuable introductions.

15. Treating online networking as a passive activity

Are you active on LinkedIn? A 2020 study showed that both the number of LinkedIn connections and how often people actively use the platform are linked with stronger networking ability and a more adaptable, opportunity-driven career mindset.

The same study also found that more active use and larger networks are associated with a range of real benefits, from access to opportunities to professional support and career development.

This can be as simple as commenting on posts, checking in with people you’ve met, or sharing something relevant to your field. It’s those small, consistent interactions that turn a virtual networking into something genuinely useful and supportive, and keep your connections alive.

Master networking with training tailored to your challenges

Do networking events ever feel like you’re meant to “just know” how to do them – but no one ever actually taught you how? If so, this training is designed for exactly that gap.

At Body Talk, we help professionals turn awkward or uncertain interactions into confident, natural conversations using practical, science-backed communication tools you can use straight away.

What’s included?

• Mindset: Reframe how you think about networking so you can walk into conversations with more ease and less pressure
• Making first impressions: Learn how to show up clearly and confidently, using voice, presence, and body language to land well from the start
• Building trust: Understand what actually makes people trust you and how small behaviours strengthen your relationships over time
• Deeper conversations: Learn how to move conversations beyond small talk and turn brief encounters into real connections, including how to follow up in a way that feels natural and effective

Explore business networking training

Frequently asked questions

You can find answers to the most common questions we get on business networking below.

What are the biggest mistakes people make in professional networking?

A lot of the biggest mistakes come from overthinking it – being too focused on selling yourself, not listening properly, or not following up. The key is shifting towards genuine engagement rather than trying to “get something” from the conversation.

How do you build real relationships through networking?

Building relationships is really about consistency. It starts with a great conversation, but it’s the follow-up and staying in touch that helps turn new connections into real relationships over time.

How can I stop people from losing interest in conversations?

People tend to lose interest when conversations feel one-sided. Asking thoughtful questions, showing curiosity, and keeping the interaction balanced helps keep it engaging for both of you.

What’s the most important thing to focus on at networking events?

The most important thing isn’t meeting enough people, it’s having a few meaningful conversations. Those are the ones that lead to stronger connections and new opportunities.

How do I keep in touch and cultivate relationships after meeting someone?

Cultivating relationships is about small, consistent actions, like following up, checking in occasionally, or sharing something relevant. It doesn’t need to be complicated, just genuine.