What Is Netwalking and Is It a Good Way to Start Networking?

Networking can be valuable when you run a business, but taking that first step is not always easy. Walking into a room where people already appear to know one another can feel uncomfortable, particularly if you are worried that you will be expected to deliver a polished pitch or start selling immediately.

Netwalking offers a gentler introduction. It combines a group walk with informal business conversations, allowing you to meet people without sitting through a formal meeting or trying to work your way around a busy venue.

At a Synergy netwalk, you do not need to be an experienced networker. You can come on your own, introduce yourself in a straightforward way and get to know people as you walk. It is still business networking, and useful connections regularly grow from it, but the focus is on getting to know one another rather than making an immediate sale.

What is netwalking?

Netwalking is business networking that takes place during an organised group walk. Instead of meeting around a table, attendees follow a planned route while talking to other people from the local business community.

You will normally speak to several people rather than staying with the same person throughout. This gives you enough time to move beyond a quick introduction without feeling that you must rush around and meet everybody.

Although the format is informal, it is not simply a social walk. People come because they want to learn about other businesses, share experiences and form relationships that could lead to referrals, collaborations, advice or future work.

It is not a sales presentation on the move, either. You do not need to arrive with a rehearsed speech or a bag of promotional material. Being able to explain what you do and showing an interest in other people is enough.

What happens at a netwalking event?

When you arrive, the organiser will welcome the group, explain the route and let everyone know what to expect. If it is your first time or you have come alone, say so. We can introduce you to someone and help you settle in rather than leaving you to work out where to stand or who to approach.

Once the walk begins, you will naturally find yourself beside one or two other people. Conversations often start with the route, the weather or the local area before moving on to work. As people change pace and positions within the group, you will have opportunities to meet somebody new without having to make an awkward exit from your current conversation.

There may be a brief introduction at the start, but netwalking is not built around formal presentations. A simple explanation of who you are and what your business does will usually be all that is needed.

You may not meet everyone on your first walk, and that is completely normal. Two or three worthwhile conversations are more useful than rushing through a dozen introductions that neither person will remember.

Routes and timings can vary, so check the individual event information before attending. It should tell you where to meet, how long the walk is expected to take and anything you need to know about the terrain.

Why can walking make networking feel easier?

One of the hardest parts of an indoor event can be starting a conversation. You may wonder who to approach, whether you are interrupting or how to join a group that is already talking.

A walk removes much of that uncertainty. Being side by side generally feels less intense than sitting opposite somebody, and there is less pressure to maintain eye contact or fill every brief silence. The setting also gives you easy things to talk about before the conversation turns to business.

The group will naturally rearrange itself as people move at slightly different speeds. This creates opportunities to talk to someone new without deliberately leaving one group and searching the room for another.

That can be particularly helpful if you are quiet, attending alone or unsure whether conventional networking will suit you. You still get to explain what you do, but it happens as part of a two-way discussion rather than feeling like a performance.

Is netwalking a good way to start networking?

For many people, yes. It is especially useful if you have recently started a business, work by yourself, have moved into the area or simply want to become better connected in Kent.

You do not need to be naturally outgoing. Asking someone what they do, listening to their answer and sharing a little about your own work is enough to get started. If you feel nervous beforehand, it may help to remember that other first-time attendees are likely to feel exactly the same way.

Netwalking will not suit every preference. Someone looking for formal presentations, strict referral reporting or tightly timed introductions may prefer a more structured group. It works best for people who are comfortable allowing relationships to develop through ordinary conversations.

It also helps to arrive with realistic expectations. You might meet a potential customer, but that should not be the only way you judge the event. Learning something useful, finding a trusted contact or gaining the confidence to attend another meeting can be equally worthwhile.

Do you need to prepare a pitch?

You do not need a formal pitch, but it is worth thinking about how you will describe your business. Try to explain what you do, who you help and where you are based in one or two natural sentences.

For example:

“I run a web design business in Medway. We mainly help established small businesses improve websites they have outgrown.”

That gives the other person plenty to ask about without turning the introduction into a sales presentation.

If you are unsure how to begin, ask what brought them along, how long they have run their business or which parts of Kent they work in. Most people will ask similar questions in return, allowing you to talk about your own work naturally.

A common networking mistake is concentrating so heavily on what you want to say that you forget to listen. The useful part of a discussion may be a passing mention of a challenge, a type of customer or an introduction someone needs. You are more likely to remember and help one another if you have both paid attention.

What should you wear and bring?

There is no need to dress for a formal business meeting. Wear something you feel comfortable in, along with footwear that suits the route. Depending on the location and recent conditions, trainers, walking shoes or boots may be more sensible than your usual work shoes.

Check the forecast before setting off and bring a waterproof layer if rain is possible. Water is also advisable, particularly in warmer weather.

Business cards can be useful, but they are not essential. Many people prefer to connect on LinkedIn or save contact details on their phones, so arriving with a charged phone is often more useful than carrying lots of promotional material.

If you have concerns about the distance, terrain, pace or accessibility, contact us before booking. Different routes present different challenges, and we would rather help you decide whether a particular event is suitable than have you arrive feeling uncertain.

Can an informal walk lead to useful business connections?

Yes, although the value will not always appear as an immediate enquiry.

You might meet someone who serves similar customers without competing with you. That could lead to recommendations or joint work later. Another attendee may know a supplier you need, have experience of a problem you are facing or be able to introduce you to somebody elsewhere in the network.

A photographer might meet a web designer whose clients regularly need new images. Someone in their first year of business might receive useful advice from a more experienced owner. Two people may simply get along well and decide to continue talking over coffee.

The mistake is judging the walk solely by whether somebody requests a quote before you leave. Networking usually works through familiarity and trust. People are more likely to recommend you once they understand what you do and have had time to get to know you.

How can you get more from your first netwalk?

Give yourself a modest goal. Having two or three good discussions is more achievable and more useful than trying to speak to everyone.

Introduce yourself to the organiser when you arrive and mention that it is your first event. We can explain how the walk will work and help you meet somebody, removing the uncomfortable few minutes when you might otherwise be unsure what to do.

As you walk, be curious about the people you meet. Ask questions, listen properly and share your experience when it is relevant. You do not need to direct every discussion towards your services. If there is a natural business connection, it will usually become clear without forcing it.

Try to remember one detail about each person you speak to. It could be a project they are working on, a challenge they mentioned or another event they plan to attend. This makes following up afterwards much easier.

Most importantly, do not decide whether networking works based on a single outing. The first event may simply help you learn a few names and become more comfortable. When you return and recognise some faces, conversations become easier and existing connections have a chance to grow.

What should you do afterwards?

Follow-up should feel like a continuation of the discussion, not the beginning of a sales campaign.

You could connect on LinkedIn or send a brief email referring to something you talked about. For example:

“Lovely to meet you at the Synergy netwalk today. I enjoyed hearing about how you started your business. Hopefully, I’ll see you at another event soon.”

A personal message helps the recipient remember you. Sending a generic paragraph listing every service you offer is much less likely to build the relationship.

If you found a genuine reason to continue talking, suggest a coffee or short call and explain why. You may have complementary services, a useful contact to share or an idea worth exploring together.

Not every introduction needs an immediate next step. Sometimes it is enough to stay connected and say hello when you meet again.

Is netwalking only for new businesses?

New business owners can gain a great deal from netwalking, but it is not limited to start-ups.

Established owners may attend to meet new suppliers, find people they can confidently recommend, explore collaborations or become more involved in the Kent business community. Others value the opportunity to step away from work and speak to people who understand what running a business is actually like.

It can also be welcome company for sole traders, freelancers and people working remotely. Even when work is going well, running a business alone can feel isolating.

The variety of people taking part is one of the strengths of a netwalk. Someone new to business can bring a fresh perspective, while a more experienced owner may be able to share lessons learned over many years. You do not need to reach a particular stage before you are ready to join in.

From your first netwalk to the wider Synergy community

Free netwalking is one of the easiest ways to experience Synergy, but it is not the only way to get involved.

We hold a varied calendar of relaxed networking events across Kent, including meetings, after-work events and larger gatherings. With events in areas including Medway, Maidstone, Ashford, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Dartford and Tunbridge Wells, you can choose a location and format that fits your working week.

That variety matters because there is no single right way to network. You may prefer talking during a walk, meeting people over a drink after work or experiencing the energy of a larger gathering.

Once you have met a few Synergy members on a netwalk, attending another event often feels much easier. Instead of entering a room full of strangers, you are likely to recognise someone you have already spoken to. Over time, those familiar faces and continued conversations are what turn individual events into a supportive local business community.

Take your first step into local networking

If you have been considering business networking but are unsure about walking into a traditional meeting, netwalking is a friendly place to begin. You do not need a rehearsed pitch, previous experience or a large collection of business cards. You can simply join the walk and start talking to other local business owners.

Your first event does not need to produce an immediate sale to be worthwhile. Meeting supportive people, learning something useful and leaving with a few familiar faces to look out for next time is a valuable start.

Find your next Synergy netwalk, book your place and come along to see what relaxed local networking is all about.