Cameron HeroldFounder of the COO Alliance & Invest In Your Leaders Training

Networking Made Me Anxious, So I Built a System

12 Sept 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:33

In this solo instructional video, Cameron Herold shares a five‑step networking system he created to overcome his social anxiety and extract the most value from conferences and events. Drawing on experience speaking at roughly 800 events and attending about 300 worldwide, he outlines concrete actions: (1) compile a list of the three most important new people to meet at the event; (2) list three existing contacts you want to deepen relationships with; (3) identify all speakers, contact them before the event, and invite them to coffee or lunch, noting that speakers are often eager for a friendly companion; (4) enter the event armed with one or two ways you can help others, ask attendees about their challenges, and offer assistance without expecting anything in return; and (5) openly share two personal areas where you need help, making a vulnerable request for assistance. The system is presented as a practical, repeatable process to turn networking anxiety into purposeful, reciprocal connections.

Chapters

I want to explain how to get the most value from an event that you're attending, and it's actually not what you think. I've been paid to speak at about 800 events, and I've attended approximately 300 events globally. What I had started doing years ago was I was always a little bit nervous, socially awkward. I had social anxiety going to events, so I created a system to help me get the most benefit from it. Number one was I made a list of the top 3 people that I wanted to get to know at the event, and it could have been thought leaders, it could have been business people, it could have been just franchisees I was looking to get to know, whoever. Top 3 people I wanted to get to know. And then I made another list of the top 3 people that I wanted to have a conversation with and just continue the relationship. So they were already people that I already did know. Third thing that I did is I made a list of all the speakers, and I would reach out to any of the speakers in advance of the event and find out what day and time they were speaking and offer to take them for coffee or take them to a nice restaurant for lunch or something before their event? And they always said yes. Most speakers are a little bit shy. Most speakers would rather be on a stage. They often don't know anybody, so they're happy to have a friend rather than sitting in their hotel by themselves and having room service. The 4th thing that I do is I walk into the event with 1 or 2 core things that I think I can help other people with. And I try to get into the conversation to ask people where they're struggling, what they're looking for help with, what's bugging them. I try to show them the areas that I can help them with no ask, no kind of quid pro quo. And then the 5th thing that I do is I have 2 areas that I'm looking for help in, and I go in vulnerable, and I tell people exactly what I'm looking for, and I ask them for my help. Hope that helps you out.