How to Grow Your Marketing Network (Without Feeling Salesy)
Want to break into marketing, grow your career, or find new opportunities?
You need a network.
Not just any marketing network—but one that’s strategic, intentional, and built to last.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to build real relationships in marketing (without feeling awkward, pushy, or spammy).
1. Know What You’re Building (And Why)
Not all networks are built the same. Start by getting clear on what you need:
- Are you looking for a new job?
- Hoping to connect with mentors or collaborators?
- Want to stay in the loop on trends and best practices?
This makes everything easier: who to reach out to, what to say, and where to spend your time.
For example:
| If your goal is… | You’ll want to focus your efforts on… | And start by doing this… |
| Getting hired | Former colleagues, managers, experts in your industry | Send a DM to catch up or ask for advice (not a job!) |
| Learn new skills | Industry experts | Comment on their content and ask them what helped them most |
| Find collaborators | Freelancers, agency employees, or creators | Post what you’re working on and ask who’s building something similar |
| Increase visibility | Industry experts, podcast hosts, LinkedIn influencers | Offer a fresh POV or insight that they might be able to use |
2. Start With the People You Know
You don’t have to network from scratch. In fact, the best place to start is with people you’ve already crossed paths with. They’re more likely to respond, remember your work, and be willing to help (or introduce you to someone who can).
Think about who’s already in your network:
- Former colleagues or teammates
- Classmates from university or professional courses
- Clients or partners from past projects
- People you met at conferences or webinars
- Past managers or mentors (even from another industry)
Don’t overthink this. A quick message like “Hey! I saw your post about XYZ on LinkedIn—let’s catch up soon” is often all it takes to get the conversation going.
Before you start networking, make sure your profile reflects who you are, what you do, and what you’re interested in.
Especially if you’re reaching out via DM and it’s been a while since you last touched base, it’s highly likely your contacts will come check out your profile for a quick refresher. Your profile doesn’t need to be perfect—but it should be clear, friendly, and up to date.
What to fix first:
| Profile area | What to do | Why |
| Headline | Don’t just re-use your title. Mention who you help or what you’re known for | Helps people understand your value at a glance |
| About | Write it in the first person. Keep it warm, concise, and focused on what makes you unique | Makes your profile approachable and human |
| Featured | Pin 1-3 posts that show your work or personality | Builds credibility |
| Activity | Like, comment, or post regularly. Be visible. | Signals you’re active and open to connect |
Want to meet marketers? Go where marketers hang out.
Events
Join in-person and virtual events where you can learn and connect.
If you’re not sure what events are worth it, here’s our curated list of the top marketing conferences to join this year (Spoiler: Spotlight is top of the list).
Communities
Try groups like Superpath, Demand Curve, or Online Geniuses on Slack or Discord. Find communities that fit your niche. For example, if you work in SEO, then Women in Tech SEO is a great option.
Courses & Workshops
Cohort-based learning experiences are goldmines for new connections. Again, if you’re working in SEO, the Semrush Bootcamp is the perfect place.
How To Find the Right Places?
To avoid spreading yourself too thin you’ll need to filter what spaces help you achieve your networking goals.
| What to consider | Ask yourself | What you’re looking for |
| Shared context | Do they “get” my world? | Aligned roles, challenges, jargon |
| Value exchange | Are people helpful? | A give-and-take, not just promo |
| New perspectives | Is this stretching me? | People outside your usual circle |
| Deep insights | Am I learning anything new? | Substance > surface |
| Consistency | Do people return often? | Relationships need repetition |
| Format fit | Will I stick with this? | Async, in-person, Zoom (what you like best) |
You don’t need to be everywhere. Just pick one or two places that make sense for you and show up consistently.
That’s how people start to recognize your name, how relationships get built, and how opportunities start to appear.
5. Give Before You Ask
We alluded to this earlier, but it’s worth driving home: relationships start with value, not with “Can I ask a favor?”
If your first message is a favor, pitch, or a one-sided ask, you’re not going to get very far.
People can tell when you’re only in it for yourself. They’re much more likely to help when you’ve shown curiosity, interest, or support first.
The fix? Give before you ask.
What Does “Giving” Actually Look Like?
Giving might sound difficult, but it can be incredibly simple. The key is to be sincere.
- Share their work - post a link to their article, reference their insights or a quote from them in a blog you’re writing
- Send something useful - think “saw this and thought of you.” Whether it’s a podcast, a post, or related to something they’ve shared recently
- Make an intro - if someone in your network could help them, then offer a warm, mutual intro
- Show up regularly - attend their session or reply to their posts on a regular basis, not just a few days before you need to ask for something
When you give first, you’re inherently telling the other person you’re paying attention, value what they have to say, and aren’t just “after” something. People want to help those who have shown up for them.
6. Reach Out the Right Way
You’ve found the right space. You’ve added value. Now it’s time to actually start a conversation.
This is where a lot of people hesitate. They’re worried about bothering someone or sounding awkward. But if your message is personal, relevant, and low-pressure, it doesn’t feel intrusive. It feels thoughtful.
A good message is:
- Personal - it’s clearly written for them, not copied and pasted
- Specific - it references something you saw, read, or noticed
- Open-ended - it invites a reply that’s more than just “yes” or “thanks”
Sending a compliment with a dead-end is a common mistake people make when networking.
Instead of:
“Loved your post about content reporting–thanks for sharing!”
(Which leaves little room for interaction.)
Try:
“Loved your post about content reporting. I’m curious, did your team always track it that way, or did you evolve the metrics over time?”
Here are some more templates to help you do this:
If you’re reconnecting after a while:
“Hey [Name], hope you’re doing great! I was thinking about our time at [Company/Event]. I’d love to catch up sometime if you’re up for it. How have things been going at [Company]?”
If you’re reaching out with a specific reason:
“Hi [Name], I saw your recent post about [topic]—really insightful, thanks for sharing. I’m doing something similar and thought it’d be fun to swap notes. Would you be interested in catching up sometime next week?”
If you’re just starting a new path:
“Hey [Name], I’m just getting started with [marketing project] and immediately thought of you. I’d love to hear how you’d approach it if you have time for a quick chat.”
Sometimes the conversation won’t take off right away. That’s ok, you’re planting a seed. When your name pops up again next time (in a thread, comment, DM), it won’t feel so unfamiliar.
7. Stay in Touch
You don’t need a master plan (or email lists) for staying in touch. But you do need to show up more than once.
Another typical mistake people make when building their network is that they’ll vanish. One message, one comment, one coffee–then they’re gone for months on end.
If you want your network to work for you, you have to keep it warm.
Make sure you recognize when it’s time to:
- Reconnect after a long gap
- Congratulate someone on a milestone
- Share an event or opportunity
- Follow up after a great conversation (even if it feels long ago)
A simple way to make people feel like they are staying in touch with you is to share what you’re up to. Post quick wins, lessons learned, or what projects you’re working on LinkedIn.
Sometimes it doesn’t take direct outreach for people to get to know you. Plus, they’ll reach out if they relate or can help out. Staying in touch works both ways after all.
Build A Marketing Network You’re Proud To Be Part Of
“Networking” has a branding problem. It sounds like awkward coffee chats, fake small talk, and inboxes full of cold DMs.
But, networking in marketing isn’t about schmoozing or self-promotion. At its best, it’s just about showing up with curiosity, generosity, and the willingness to be real.
You don’t need to be everywhere or know everyone. You just need the right people, in the right places, where real conversations happen.
That will help open doors to new opportunities, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections—the kind that fuel long-term success.
