137: How Networking Helped Me Grow My Business Without Social Media

In this episode, Jules White shares how networking and building genuine relationships has been one of the most powerful growth strategies in her business - and how it can help you to market your business without relying on social media. Jules reflects honestly on her own journey with networking, from never having done it before, to tracing many of her best clients, collaborations, and friendships back to those early groups she joined. She also covers the downsides - the time commitment, the occasional awkward conversation - and how to keep perspective when your inner critic shows up. **Key Takeaways:** **Approaching Networking with an Open Heart:** Learn why going into networking events without the pressure of needing a client changes everything - and how a more open mindset can lead to opportunities you never expected. **Incidental Networking:** Jules explains how some of her most powerful connections have come from simply being in the same room as other business owners at workshops, accelerator programmes, and local events, without it feeling like formal networking at all. **Making It Easy for Others to Refer You:** Discover why having a clear, simple "ask" - not a sales pitch - makes networking far less uncomfortable and far more effective. **The Downsides of Networking:** Jules talks honestly about the time investment, the unpredictability of who you'll meet, and how self-criticism is often the biggest barrier to showing up. **Resources mentioned in this episode:** - Episode 077: How to Attract Bigger Brands to Your Event Venue Website - Jules mentions Jenny Moore, who appeared in this live website audit episode - Michelle Warner's Networking That Pays — Jules recommends exploring Michelle Warner's work on intentional networking and finding your ideal connection avatar - The Website Success Hub — find out more about Jules's services and how she helps small business owners get their website working for them Send us Fan Mail Support the show Ever feel like your business should be easier to find on Google & in AI search? You’re not imagining it - most local businesses already have a Google Business Profile, but it’s sitting there, half-filled and hidden. That means people searching for your exact services might be finding your competitors instead. The good news is you don’t need to spend hours posting on social media to fix it. A few intentional updates to your Google Business Profile can make a big difference in how often you show up in Maps and local searches. That’s where my Local Google Visibility Checklist comes in. It gives you a clear, practical list of things to review and update - all the small changes that help Google trust your business and make it easier for nearby clients to find and book you. It’s free, simple to follow, and designed for local businesses who want to grow in a sustainable way (without having to rely on social media). Download your free checklist now https://thewebsitesuccesshub.com/google-profile-checklist