Networking can sometimes feel like catching the perfect vibe, and other times like a group project you didn’t sign up for. You know the drill: you have to “work the room”, plaster on a polite smile, ask someone for their Instagram, and pray they’re not one of those ‘I don’t follow people back’ types. 

Whether it’s advancing your career, building your business, or expanding your social circle, networking can feel daunting. As Black women, we’re already juggling enough. We navigate workplaces where we’re the only one in the room, advocate for ourselves because nobody else will, brush off microaggressions like lint, and still find the energy to show up as our full selves. Adding networking to the mix can feel overwhelming. 

But the truth is, we need it. We need visibility; we need opportunities; we need spaces that honour us. And the good news is networking doesn’t have to feel like a chore. So here are a few tips to make networking work for you in the new year – tips you can actually put into practice without losing your energy.