Grow Your Social Media Business With This One Powerful Strategy

If you’re a social media manager trying to grow your social media business—whether you’re in the early stages or looking to scale—there’s one strategy that’s made the biggest impact on my journey so far.

And no, it’s not a fancy new scheduling tool or the latest algorithm hack.

It’s something that isn’t talked about nearly enough, but it has the potential to open doors, land dream clients, and give your brand the visibility it deserves. That strategy is networking.

Building genuine connections with other business owners, creatives, and even people outside of your industry has been the number one thing that’s helped me grow my social media business—from finding my first clients to creating long-term collaborations I never could’ve predicted.

In this post, I’m sharing exactly how networking transformed my business, how I rebuilt my network from scratch (twice), and how you can start using it as a growth tool too.

How Networking Helped Me Grow My Social Media Business

Back in 2020, I had just moved to Bali—right when the global pandemic began. Everything shut down. Events were canceled. Coworking spaces went quiet. I barely knew anyone, and I was trying to figure out how to launch my business in the middle of it all.

Eventually, I attended one small networking event. I almost didn’t go—but I forced myself to show up and introduce myself.

That one event helped me meet two people who would become huge supporters of my business journey. One conversation led to another, and soon after, I landed my first clients and officially launched my social media business.

The truth is, networking created opportunities I couldn’t have found by staying behind my laptop screen.

Why I Left Bali and Brought My Business to Australia

After several years in Bali, I knew I wanted to work with local brands. But as a digital nomad, I ran into lots of visa limitations that made that tricky. I also wanted a more stable, long-term community—so I made the move to Australia.

Once again, I had to rebuild from scratch.

I didn’t know a single person when I arrived, and to grow my social media business here, I knew I needed to build connections in new ways.

Simple Ways to Grow Your Social Media Business Through Networking

Join In-Person Communities

One of the first things I did was join a local CrossFit gym. Not only did it help me stay active, but it naturally led to conversations. My American accent became a fun talking point, and people started asking what I do for work.

Networking doesn’t always mean formal events. It can be showing up to places consistently and letting relationships grow naturally.

Attend Business Meetups

Local networking events are gold for social media managers. Look for events at coworking spaces, creative workshops, or through entrepreneur groups. I went to one in the Gold Coast hosted by a membership community—and it helped me meet women across all sorts of industries.

Since then, I’ve had podcast invitations, potential client referrals, and even collaborations—just from one evening of conversation.

Build Relationships, Not Just Leads

The key is showing up as yourself. When people know what you do, and you stay top of mind, they’ll think of you when someone asks for social media help. Networking helps your name become the one they refer, even months later.

Use Online Communities with Local Events

Online memberships or Facebook groups with real-life meetups are great if you’re starting from scratch in a new city or country. That’s how I met like-minded entrepreneurs and expanded my client base in Australia.

Real-World Ways to Start Networking

If you’re unsure where to begin, here are a few ways to grow your social media business through networking:

Join online communities with offline events
Look for memberships that host in-person experiences.

Join a gym, class, or hobby group
Casual conversation can lead to long-term relationships.

Attend a creative business event in your area
Coworking spaces and entrepreneur groups often host meetups.

Host or attend a free workshop
Great for visibility, credibility, and connection.

Be a guest on a podcast (or start one)
It expands your reach and builds trust.

Action Steps to Grow Your Social Media Business

If you’re ready to take your networking game seriously, here’s where to start:

Follow up with the people you meet
A quick DM or message after an event can go a long way in building trust.

Create a clear elevator pitch
Practice how you introduce yourself and your business. Keep it simple and confident.

Update your social media profiles
Make sure they clearly explain what you do and how people can hire you.

Say yes to events—even if you’re nervous
Set a small goal like chatting with 3 people. You never know where it could lead.

Final Thoughts

Growing your social media business takes more than great content and smart strategies. It takes connection. Whether you’re at a gym, a coffee shop, or a business event—people are curious, and they love hearing about someone who’s passionate about what they do.

Networking is what helped me launch and scale my business across countries, and it continues to be one of the most impactful tools in my toolkit.

So if you’re holding back, consider this your reminder to show up, speak up, and start conversations. You never know who’s waiting to hear what you do—and how they might help you grow.

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