Networking takes work. It's more than just making a good first impression or even having a great elevator pitch.
It's about building lasting relationships, which is why it takes significant effort and time to get it right. Fortunately, there are many amazing quotes about networking from some of the most successful people who have ever lived.
In this article, we've gathered 30 of our favorite inspirational business networking quotes from some truly brilliant minds.
1. “Your network is your net worth.” by Porter Gale
A well-developed network of relationships is more valuable than any amount of money.
I think Porter Gale meant with this quote that a powerful network can open doors to new opportunities and help you achieve your goals if you're willing to invest time and energy in developing strong bonds with people.
2. “The fortune is in the follow-up.” by Jim Rohn
A brilliant product or service will not sell itself.
I think with this quote, Jim Rohn reminds us that for sales to continue rolling in, you need to stay in touch with your clients and clients and remind them of what they’re missing out on if they don't use your products or services again!
3. “Instead of better glasses, your network gives you better eyes.” by Ronald Burt
I believe that we all have access to valuable information and resources through our relationships with others.
And Ronald Burt tells us with this quote that it’s important that we remain open to new perspectives and ideas because this will allow us a competitive edge in both business and life.
I believe that the more connections you have, the greater your influence can be, so get out there!
4. “Network is more about farming than hunting.” by Ivan Misner
Ivan Misner’s quote highlights the importance of cultivating existing relationships in networking. He likens it to hunting and farming that you can't plant seeds if you don't have a field.
Keep in mind that networking is not just about trying to meet as many people as possible but rather about developing quality relationships.
Personally, I think you’ll have a better chance of making lasting connections by getting to know people and building trust.
5. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” an African proverb
I like this proverb because it’s all about the power of networking. If you want to achieve something quickly, then sure, you can go at it alone.
But if you're going for lasting impact and significance, then building relationships and collaborating with others will serve you better.
I believe networking gives you access to people, ideas, and resources that you might otherwise not be able to reach.
6. “Networking is an essential part of building wealth.” by Armstrong Williams
Networking is the key to building relationships, and with those connections come financial opportunities. And I think Armstrong Williams’ quote encourages us to share resources and ideas with other professionals to create career opportunities for ourselves as well as others.
7. “The more connections you make, the more valuable you become.” by Keith Ferrazzi
Keith Ferrazzi reminds us that the more people you know, the greater your chances of finding what you need.
But I think it's not enough just to make connections; you have to nurture them, so they grow and pay dividends over time. Meet people who can contribute to your success and offer your expertise.
Try networking at an event; it’s a win-win because you help others while gaining valuable contacts yourself.
8. “Networking is not collecting contacts. It’s planting relationships.” by unknown
This quote from an unknown source emphasizes the importance of quality when it comes to networking.
You’re not necessarily well-connected if you have a large number of contacts; instead, it is important to make sure that you are connected to valuable people.
Personally, in order to be successful, take your time to get to know people and build trust. In the long run, these relationships will pay off more than instant gratification or external connections ever could.
9. “Networking is marketing.” by Christine Comaford-Lynch
This quote by Christine Comaford-Lynch shows that networking isn't only about meeting new people: you also need to be able to market yourself and your business and products as a way of connecting with someone.
To succeed in networking, you need to understand what other people want and figure out how your business fits into their lives.
10. “Networking is an enrichment program, not an entitlement program.” by Susan RoAne
Networking is about forming relationships and making connections.
Susan RoAne’s quote implies that it's important to treat each person as an entry point into a larger world or community, one who could help you find your next job, get introduced to new clients, or connect with other people in the industry.
I think when we approach networking with this mindset and interest, we open ourselves up, and by extension, our organizations, to limitless personal and opportunities for professional growth.
11. “Networking is an unwritten rule of success in business.” by Sallie Krawcheck
Sallie Krawcheck's quote defines networking as a great way to get your name out there. Personally, I think it's also one of the effective ways to network with people who can help you get ahead with your career and achieve your goals faster.
You have a lot more power than you think when it comes to networking. The more you network, the more connections you'll make. The more connections you have, the better your chances of getting a deal with your connections.
12. “Success is about the difference you make in people’s life.” by Michelle Obama
This quote from former First Lady, Michelle Obama, says that true success comes from making a difference in other people’s lives.
It isn't about how much money you make or how many things you own; it's about positively impacting others' experiences in life.
I believe that if you want to be successful at networking, just remember this quote. You won't find success if all you're focused on is what benefits come your way; instead, focus on how you can help the other person and build a genuine connection.
13. “Being a giver is not good for a 100-yard dash, but it’s valuable in a marathon.” by Adam Grant
I think this is an excellent quote for networking by Adam Grant. Getting caught up in the race to “win” a new contact or business relationship is easy, but that's not what networking is about.
It's about building relationships over time and becoming a valuable resource for one another. Be a giver, and your network will grow faster than you ever imagined possible!
14. “Networking is more quality and less quantity. It’s better to form a solid connection with one new person than a liquid connection with ten. You don’t want people to think you drink too much.” by Jarod Kintz
Jarod Kintz reminds us with this quote that quality over quantity is the key to networking.
I think it's easy to fall into the thinking that you need to meet as many people as possible, but that can lead to spending time with people who aren't valuable connections for you.
Instead, focus on focusing on building relationships with one-on-one conversations and letting them naturally flourish from there.
15. “Just because someone connects with you on LinkedIn doesn’t mean they’re your friend. Social media creates a false sense of intimacy, particularly when people choose to expose a lot about themselves.” by Heidi Roizen
This quote by Heidi Roizen is an excellent reminder that the people we connect with online are not necessarily the same as those we connect with in real life.
In my opinion, while LinkedIn may be a good place to start building your network, it's important to branch out into other social media platforms and events to meet new people outside your comfort zone.
16. “Networking means the act of exchanging information with people who can help you professionally.” by Michele Jennae
Michele Jennae’s quote is an excellent definition of networking. She makes it clear that you don't just have to talk about yourself.
Instead, you should ask people about their careers, what they like most about their jobs and what they would change if they could. This can help you better understand how the world works and give you ideas for your own career path.
17. “All the time and effort put into networking can be all for naught if there is no follow-through. The same goes for sales. And leadership. And well, everything.” by unknown
This quote from an unknown source implies that networking is a lot like sales: You have to be willing to ask for things, be persistent, and follow up.
The same goes for leadership. I noticed that if you want people to respect your ideas and follow you, you need to show that they matter by doing the work.
18. “It’s great to spend time at a networking event with someone you know and like. But that’s not what you’re there for. Your goal is to expand your network by meeting new people.” by Beth Ramsay
This quote from Beth Ramsay explains why it’s important to network with people you don’t already know. It’s not just about meeting new people; it’s also about expanding your network and making connections that can help you succeed.
For me, networking, as a concept, can seem intimidating and hard to get started with. But if you’re willing to put effort into making connections that matter, then it’s something that anyone can do.
19. “Networking is by far the most important aspect of business school. The classroom is a distant second.” by Jay Devivo
This quote from Jay Devivo is a great reminder that business school is about more than just classroom learning. It’s important to remember this when you’re making decisions about what courses to take and how frequently to attend class.
The most valuable lessons will come from meeting people who are interested in similar things as you, working on projects together, and collaborating with them in real time.
20. “Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” by Steve Jobs
The above quote from Steve Jobs is a great reminder that technology has limitations. You can learn and grow much faster by collaborating with people who share your interests.
It’s also a good idea to talk with people who are interested in different things than you. This will help you see things from another perspective and get new ideas.
21. “Networking that matters is helping people achieve their goals.” by Seth Godin
Networking isn't just about meeting people and making connections. Seth Godin's quote emphasized that networking is also about helping people achieve their goals.
You can make a big difference by sharing your knowledge and resources with other people, especially those who are less experienced than you are. By doing this, you will gain respect from your peers as well as build trust with them.
22. “Everyone should build their network before they need it.” by Dave Delaney
Networking is the key to building your career. The earlier you start networking, the better it will be for you.
Dave Delaney's quote emphasized that everyone should build their network before they need it. By doing so, you will have plenty of connections when opportunities arise, and your chances of getting hired will greatly improve.
Networking is not just about meeting new people. It’s also about building relationships with them, and this is what will help you in the long run.
You don’t need to be an extrovert; all you need to do is learn how to connect with others and make them feel at ease when they talk to you.
23. “If you’re not networking, you’re not working.” by Denis Waitley
This is a quote from Denis Waitley that emphasizes the importance of networking.
It’s true that you won’t be able to find a job if you don’t network, but it doesn’t end there. Besides finding work, networking can also help in your career development and provide valuable growth opportunities.
In short, networking is crucial for your career. It’s important to remember that there are various ways to network:
You can meet people at conferences, join professional organizations and associations, or even just follow up with those who have connections in your field.
The key is to find the right people and connect with them to make an impression while also gaining their trust.
24. “The way of the world is meeting people through other people.” by Robert Kerrigan
This quote from Robert Kerrigan shows how the world works through networking. You can’t live in a bubble and expect to get things done. You need to meet and connect with people, especially if you want to advance your career.
The importance of networking cannot be understated. You need to network, and you need to do it often. If you’re not meeting people, then you’re missing out on opportunities that could change your life.
25. “Networking is simply cultivating mutually beneficial, give-and-take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the “give” part.” by Bob Burg
As Bob Burg's quote stated, networking is about giving first and receiving later.
If you are always looking for what someone can do for you, then there will be no mutual benefit or win-win situation. You have to focus on what you can do for others to get them to help you later down the road.
People will want to help you out as long as you're giving. One of the key things that successful people do is they are always willing to help others.
They don't consider it a chore or something that takes away from their own success. Instead, they see networking as an opportunity to make new connections and build rapport with people who could eventually be valuable in their lives.
26. “It’s all about people. It’s about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges.” by Mike Davidson
Mike Davidson's quote implies that one of the most important ways you can connect is to be genuine and honest with people. If you want to move up in life and make it big, don’t focus on yourself so much; focus on others.
When you put someone else first, they will see that as a sign of leadership potential. People always want to work with selfless people who are willing to help others when needed.
27. “If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there.” by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Robert T. Kiyosaki’s quote is a great reminder that you can learn and gain wisdom from others who have done what you want to do.
If you’re looking to get ahead in life, find people who are already where you want to be and take them under your wing. These people will willingly help you when you need it and can share their experiences with you.
28. “If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.” by Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar’s quote implies that people love to do business with people they trust. If you want to make more sales, it’s important to build relationships with your customers.
Put yourself in their place and try to understand what they want out of their experience with you. Understanding your customers more makes providing them with what they want easier.
29. “You can close more business in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.” by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s quote is all about the importance of connecting with people.
You won’t be able to make sales if you don’t have any customers, so it’s important to understand what makes them tick.
Once you know what drives your customers and how they think, it will be easier for you to connect with them in a way that resonates with them.
Honestly, I think it’s not enough to simply sell a product or service; you have to understand what it is that people want and how they think.
Once you have an understanding of what drives them, it will be much easier for you to create something that resonates with them.
30. “If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” by Chinese Proverb
I think this proverb means is that in order to get ahead in your business, then you must understand that people are one of the most important assets. If you want to build a lasting business, you need to focus on your customers and employees first.
Your customers will determine how well your business does; if they’re happy with what you offer, then they’ll keep coming back for more.
The same goes for your people; if they feel valued and appreciated for their company contributions, they’ll work hard for years without complaint.
Apply these quotes not only in your business but also in your daily life
You can apply these quotes not only in your business but also in your daily life.
We hope these quotes have inspired you to look at your networking habits and get ahead of the game by making some changes.
I believe that we live in an incredible time where we can instantly connect with people all over the world, and that's a good thing.
But it's also important to remember that while social media is great for connecting, there are better places to do business.
You can't hear someone's tone of voice or see their facial expression when typing a comment or tweet. So make sure to keep in touch with people in person whenever possible!