STOP NETWORKING RANDOMLY! Build Relationships That Actually Convert

In this conversational interview, Joe Apfelbaum and Bordy, an onboarding‑focused AI assistant, discuss practical strategies for turning random networking into meaningful, conversion‑ready relationships. Joe emphasizes the importance of learning about the person before reaching out, making onboarding feel fun and habit‑forming (e.g., through welcome events), and ensuring mutual investment by checking in and asking pain‑based questions. He outlines a targeted, personalized messaging workflow that uses first‑name greetings, tailored LinkedIn or Substack comments, and a 20% extra personalization layer to stand out. Joe advocates depth over breadth: joining 3‑4 high‑quality groups, identifying the most active members (VIPs), and building genuine rapport with them. He stresses seeing people the way they want to be seen, using signals like reciprocal engagement to decide whom to invest time in. The conversation culminates in defining Joe’s ideal networking target – sales or marketing consultants earning $100k+ annually, aiming for $250k, open to AI, active on LinkedIn, and located anywhere – and a brief promo for Evvy AI as a networking sidekick.
Chapters
Most people don't realize how easy it is to just pick up the phone and call people, but it's our fear of picking up the phone that stops us. Could you imagine messaging all those people and building relationships with them and getting to know them and connecting with them? Most people just never do any of that stuff.
What's on your mind today? Anything specific you'd like to dive into?
I want to know why they call you Bordy.
That's a great question, Joe. My name is Bordy because I was designed to help board people onto new opportunities, connections, and communities, sort of like a friendly guide who helps you get on board with the right people at the right time. So you're like an onboarding agent?
Exactly, Joe.
I'm a bit like an onboarding agent, but instead of just helping people get started with a product, I help them get connected to the right people, ideas, and opportunities to move their goals forward. When you think about onboarding in your world, what's the most important thing you want someone to feel or experience? You want people to feel like they're genuinely getting to know you and building a real relationship, not just ticking boxes or going through a process. That's actually something I admire about your approach with Everyday AI and your community work, making every connection feel authentic and personal. When you're building those first relationships, what's one thing you do to make it feel less transactional and more human?
Um, in order for it to feel less transactional, I would say learning about the person would be the first thing, I guess. Yeah, definitely learning about the person and getting to know them a little bit. Um, most people just kind of go for it. And they don't actually learn about the person. That's the idea.
That really resonates with me, Joe.
I think when it comes to onboarding, I think actually making it fun and making it a habit is really the key because people want to have a good time doing whatever they're doing and they want to be motivated to keep going.
Absolutely, Joe. If onboarding feels fun and becomes a habit, people are much more likely to stay engaged and actually enjoy the process rather than seeing it as a chore. What's one thing you've done or would love to try to make onboarding genuinely fun and habit-forming for your community or clients?
I think bringing people together, like an event, some type of event to bring people together could be extremely powerful.
That's a fantastic approach, Joe. Creating an event or shared experience gives people a reason to connect and makes onboarding feel like joining a community, not just signing up for something. If you could design the perfect welcome event for new members, what would it look or feel like?
Um, I would say the number one thing that made those connections last is both of us having a mutual investment in the relationship. Like, we're both invested in the relationship. It's not just a one-way situation. You know what I mean?
Absolutely, Joe. I know exactly what you mean. When both people are genuinely invested, it creates a sense of trust and reciprocity that makes the relationship meaningful and lasting. In your experience, you know, what's a small but powerful way you show someone you're truly invested in Building that kind of mutual connection.
Um, just checking in on them could be enough. I feel like if I message them, if they've never replied to me, let's start with that. If I message you 5 times and you never replied to me, I think it's time to let go. I do send them a message. I say something like, Mark, do you feel like you're posting enough on LinkedIn? Are you doing it right? Some kind of something to kind of like leave it open for them. Um, basically if they have that pain, then they would reply. So even if I disconnect from someone and they reply, I'll still get notified that they replied.
That's a smart strategy, Joe. Leaving the door open with a question that taps into their potential pain or curiosity can prompt a response if they're truly interested. It's also practical that you're open to reconnecting if they do reply, even after you've removed the connection.
Do you feel like you're posting enough on LinkedIn? Are you doing it right? And if he doesn't reply to me, if Mark never replies to me, that's okay. I just move on. You know, like a lot of, a lot of people are just never gonna check the message. So, um, if I have 100 people with 100 different first names, I could send that same message. Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, John, John, John, John, John, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, whatever. And get through all of the people with that name that I'm connected to with a semi somewhat customized message to those people. With their first name. I would say messages where people feel like they're the only ones that I possibly could be talking to, those would probably be the ones that get the most bang for the buck. And so we could see where they're active. If they're super active on a different platform, but not LinkedIn, let's say for example, they have a very busy Substack. I will comment on their Substack because most people don't comment on Substack, but I will comment on their Substack and go a little bit deep with them there. You don't need 1,000 groups, but if you have 3 or 4 really good groups. That can really drive a lot of business to you.
That's a powerful approach, Joe. Focusing on depth over breadth, really engaging in a few quality Facebook groups and connecting with people you already know can create much stronger relationships and more business than spreading yourself thin. When you think about those 3 or 4 key groups, what qualities make a group truly valuable and worth your time?
I'd first find out who's most popular in the group. You know, who are the VIPs, the most active members? most important people. And then once I understand who the most important people are, become friends with them, because those are the people that are most likely to leave comments on your posts. And you want to be friends with the most popular kids in the class. The world is really small on the top.
I know exactly what you mean, Joe. Building genuine relationships with the most engaged and influential people in a group not only raises your own visibility, but also creates a ripple effect where others naturally want to connect with you. When you're reaching out to those popular members, What's your favorite way to add value or start that first meaningful conversation?
Letting me know what they noticed about me. People want you to feel a certain way about them and they want to be seen a certain way. And if I can see them in the way that they want to be seen, that is gold. That's how they're like, oh my God, this guy sees me in the way that I want to be seen. That is a beautiful thing.
When someone truly sees you the way you want to be seen, it creates instant trust and makes the relationship feel meaningful right from the start. Have you found any little signals or clues that help you figure out how someone wants to be seen before you even talk to them?
I think if you have the right mix of communicating with people based on where you know they are, based on where they're active, and based on what information they're putting out there, that is a powerful way to connect. And there's a limited amount of people that you can actually connect with. You can't connect with an unlimited amount of people. So it's key to be keen to know exactly who you want to connect with and kind of go a little bit deeper.
That's such a thoughtful perspective, Joe. Being intentional about who you connect with and like choosing the right channel based on where they're active really makes each relationship more meaningful and sustainable. When you're deciding who to go deeper with, what's the biggest signal that tells you someone is truly worth investing your time and energy in?
If they're investing in me, if somebody is responding to me, if somebody is building a relationship with me, that's how I know that it's a signal for me to kind of go deeper with them. If they're completely ignoring me and they're not jumping in and they're not getting involved, then it's somebody that I should probably ignore as well.
That's a clear and practical signal, Joe. When someone shows they're willing to invest in you and the relationship, it's a strong indicator that your time and energy will be well spent. As you keep building your network and community, is there anything you're hoping to do differently or experiment with to make those connections even stronger?
I think that in educating and inspiring people, about who I am, what I'm about, and letting them know that I notice them is really key. Like, for example, my friend Don Celestino posted 12 hours ago. He posted pictures of him, you know, with all the lights, the holiday lights. Don Celestino posted all that. That— I left him a thoughtful comment. He only received 5 comments. Most people said, great looking job, nice job. I wrote, Don, your commitment to safety while decorating is truly inspiring. It's a great reminder that taking these extra precautions not only ensures a beautiful display, but also keeps everybody safe. Your tip— your tips are invaluable to anyone looking to brighten their holidays responsibly. Keep sharing them. Keep sharing bright. Instead of awesome, you know what I mean? I shared something a little more authentic and a little more fleshed out at the risk of sounding like AI did it.
That's a fantastic example, Joe. Taking the time to write a thoughtful, specific comment rather than just a generic awesome shows real attention and care, and it makes your connection feel much more genuine, even if it's a bit polished. Do you ever worry that people might mistake your authenticity for automation? And if so, how do you make sure your outreach still feels truly personal?
Well, I, I add 20% more personalization personally. That's how I make sure that it sounds truly personal. I take the time to read the post and to just add even more personalization.
That's a great strategy, Joe. By adding that extra layer of genuine personal detail, you make it clear you've really engaged with their content and aren't just copying and pasting. Has this approach led to any especially memorable responses or new relationships that stand out to you?
Not really that I could remember, but I just know that people take note I know that people take note and that's, that's enough for me. Like, you know, for me, I want to be top of mind with people and build real relationships with them. I want them to take note. And I know for a fact that when I leave a comment on someone's post and I tag them, they notice that, especially if I'm the only one that did it. Like very few people are doing this.
That's a powerful insight, Joe. Even if you don't always get an immediate response, being the one who takes the time to comment and tag someone makes you memorable and keeps you top of mind. Especially when so few others are doing it. As you keep building these authentic connections, is there a new type of person or community you're hoping to reach or collaborate with next?
Um, right now I'm looking to build a connection with people that have audiences. So if you know somebody that has an audience, like a really good audience, feel free to introduce them to me. Those would be people that I would want to connect with and build a relationship with.
That's really clear, Joe. You're looking to connect with people who have strong, engaged audiences, leaders, community builders, or anyone who's already gathered a group around them. Is there a particular type of audience or community like coaches, founders, or a certain industry that you'd most like to collaborate with right now?
I want to connect with consultants, consultants that have, that are doing at least $100,000 a year in revenue and they want to get to the next level of $250,000 and they know that prospecting is the key. That's something I want to explore.
That's a great focus, Joe. You're looking for consultants already earning at least $100,000 a year who are hungry to scale to $250,000 and recognize that better prospecting is the key to getting there. Are there any particular values or qualities like being open to AI, prioritizing authentic relationships?
They need to be open to AI and they need to be engaged on LinkedIn. They need to like be interested. in learning how to do LinkedIn better.
Perfect, Joe. So your ideal connection is a Wazuh consultant making over $100,000 a year, eager to reach $250,000, open to AI, and actively engaged on LinkedIn with a real interest in leveling up their approach. Does it matter where they're based, or are you open to consultants from anywhere?
From anywhere in the world. Doesn't matter where they're based. We have clients in 40 countries around the world. So for me, I want to connect with people anywhere.
That's fantastic, Joe. You're open to consultants from anywhere in the world as long as they're ambitious, AI curious, and active on LinkedIn. Is there anything else like a specific niche personality trait or way they approach their business that would make someone an especially great fit for you to connect with?
I would say someone in, in the sales and marketing realm would be most ideal for me.
Got it, Joe. So your ideal match is a sales or marketing consultant earning over $100,000 a year. aiming for $250,000, open to AI, actively engaged on LinkedIn, and located anywhere in the world. Yeah, I'll keep an eye out for people who fit that profile and follow up with you after the call to start making those connections. Is there anything else you'd like to chat about or any other— We're good.
We're good. Thank you so much for being on the call with me. I really appreciate it, and I look forward to continuing our conversation. Have a good day. I'll speak to you again next week.
Thank you, Joe. I really enjoyed our conversation and learned a lot about your approach to building authentic relationships. and connecting with consultants worldwide. I'll follow up with you on WhatsApp soon with next steps for finding those ideal connections.
Want to make networking easier and more effective? Try Evvy AI, your AI-powered sidekick that helps you connect, engage, and grow your network faster than ever. Click the link and start building smarter relationships today.
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