How to Meet New People and Build Meaningful Connections

Knowing how to meet new people and build lasting relationships is one of the most valuable skills you can develop—for your career, your confidence, and your overall well-being.

More than just networking tips, this post is an invitation to deeper connections and conversations that open doors to opportunities, feedback, and inspiration. To both personal and professional growth. Because how well you’re able to build and nurture relationships directly impacts how far you’ll go and how good you feel.

Why Networking Matters Now More Than Ever

If the word “networking” makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Many people associate it with awkward small talk or self-promotion. 

But networking today is less about formal introductions and more about human connection. Why? Because the nature of work and community has evolved. With remote teams, digital-first communication, and shifting career paths, people now value relationships that offer trust, authenticity, and shared purpose over traditional status or structure.

Plus, meaningful connection isn't just a nice-to-have, it’s also the foundation of well-being and resilience, helping us navigate challenges, celebrate wins, and feel less alone in the world. Indeed, research has found that strong social bonds are closely associated with benefits such as greater happiness, lower stress, and even longer life expectancy, effects that some studies suggest may be comparable to the benefits of exercise.

Shift the Mindset: From Transactional to Relational

People often think of conversations in formal business contexts as a means to an end: getting a job, landing a client. But others can usually sense when they’re being sized up for utility. Real connection begins when you let go of that mindset and focus instead on the person you’re meeting, not the potential outcome.

In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, researcher and author Brené Brown describes connection as the sense of energy and belonging that arises when people feel truly seen, heard, and valued. Wherever you are, whatever the occasion, strive to lean into conversations with genuine curiosity. Focus on being interested, not just interesting.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Ask open-ended questions (see examples below).
• Share your own experiences honestly.
• Listen to understand, not to reply.
• Respect boundaries, and be generous with appreciation.
  

Moving from Small Talk to Deep Talk

When meeting someone new, your natural instinct might be to ask standard questions like “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?” While safe, these rarely spark memorable moments or authentic rapport.

Recent research shows that we tend to underestimate how much others enjoy deeper conversations, even in first-time interactions. In fact, meaningful chats are strongly associated with greater happiness and feelings of connection.

In a Harvard Business Review article, leadership adviser Christie Hunter Arscott encouraged readers to move beyond small talk at networking events and instead steer conversations toward more meaningful and reflective topics. She outlined several practical strategies for doing so, which can help spark deeper connections: 

Conversational Swaps:

• Instead of: “What do you do?”
  Try:
  
  
  • “What impact does your work have on others?”
    
    
  • “What parts of your job are most meaningful or energizing for you?”
    
    
  • “What kinds of problems do you help people solve?”
    
    
• Instead of: “What’s your current role?”
  Try:
  
  
  • “Which milestones or turning points have most influenced your career path?”
  • “Were there any turning points that led you to where you are now?”
    
    
• Instead of: “Where are you from?”
  Try:
  
  
  • “Which environments or experiences—whether places you’ve lived, studied, or worked—have had the biggest influence on you?”
    
    
  • “Which city or experience has had the biggest impact on who you are today?”
    
    

By asking thoughtful, emotionally resonant questions, you invite others into conversations that matter and make space to build bonds that last.

How to Meet New People (and Actually Enjoy It)

Meeting new people doesn’t have to feel forced or formal. Whether you’re attending a conference or joining a local meet-up, these practical networking tips can help you ease in and connect with more confidence:

Make eye contact and smileFriendly body language goes a long way. A warm smile and open posture signal that you’re approachable and ready to connect.

Approach someone who’s alone
People standing on their own are often open to conversation. It’s often easier to begin one-on-one than to enter a larger group.

Let the conversation breathe
Experts recommend sticking with a conversation where there’s flow and connection as long as you can, rather than trying to “work the room”. Go for quality over quantity.

Minimize distractions
Stay off your phone. Give your conversation partner your attention—it makes a difference.

Exit gracefully
Knowing how to wrap up a chat can reduce anxiety about getting “stuck.” If smalltalk isn’t your strength, prepare some departing words in advance, such as:
“I’ve really enjoyed talking with you, I hope our paths cross again soon!”

Remember: not every interaction will lead to a deep relationship. Some people are just a quick hello. Others might turn into lifelong collaborators or friends. Both are wins.

Leverage the Network You Already Have

Sometimes expanding your network doesn’t mean meeting new people—it means reconnecting with people you already know.

Before a career move, a city change, or a big event, reach out to past coworkers, schoolmates, or friends-of-friends to ask:

“Is there anyone you think I should meet?”

Warm referrals are far more effective than cold introductions. You can also explore alumni networks, community groups, or shared interest forums where the culture is already open to connection.

Grow Your Personal and Professional Circles—Together

We often separate personal and professional relationships. But the truth is, great conversations and meaningful bonds happen across both.

Professional connections can evolve into trusted friendships. Personal acquaintances can introduce us to career opportunities. When we stop labeling every interaction as strictly “business” or “social,” we open ourselves up to more genuine, impactful relationships.

Follow Up to Build the Relationship

Meeting someone once is just the beginning. The real value of networking comes from what happens after the first conversation.

Keep new relationships alive with small, thoughtful gestures:

• Send a quick thank-you message
• Share a resource they might find helpful
• Invite them to continue the conversation over coffee. 

Be specific, warm, and personal, it shows you were paying attention. And remember: consistency builds trust. A network that supports your growth is built on mutual generosity, curiosity, and time.

Give Before You Ask

Think about how you can support others first. The most magnetic people in any network are the ones who offer help freely. Whether it’s a useful article or an introduction, giving without expecting anything in return builds trust and goodwill. 

Maybe you introduce two people who should know each other. Maybe you recommend a book that could help with someone’s challenge. These small gestures ripple outward in ways you can’t always predict.

Connection Is the Long Game

Building meaningful connections doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long game built on small, consistent actions: one conversation, one message, one follow-up at a time.

Over time, these micro-actions lead to macro-impact. 

The relationships you build now won’t just shape your career, they’ll shape how you feel, how you grow, and how far you go.