11: Not Every Room Is Worth Your Time: Marie & Anne-Marie's Proven Method for Picking the Right Networking Events

Every week, coaches, consultants, and service-based business owners are flooded with networking invitations — and most of them say yes out of obligation, FOMO, or the vague hope that something good will come of it. But the truth is, not every room is worth your time. In this episode, Marie and Anne-Marie break down exactly how they evaluate networking events, ask the right qualifying questions, and protect their most valuable resource: their schedule.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• How Anne-Marie evaluates cold networking invites — the exact LinkedIn research process she uses before committing

• The key questions to ask before saying yes to any event (format, audience, time commitment, and more)

• Why attending a virtual version of an event first is a smart strategy before investing in travel

• The "fly on the wall" mistake that wastes everyone's time — and what to do instead

• How to use your trusted partner network to get honest, unfiltered event feedback

• Why Marie and Anne-Marie attend in-person events and what they look for in the room setup

• The non-negotiable: knowing your ask before you walk into any networking room
  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

~5:00 — Anne-Marie's Vetting Process for Cold Invitations

Anne-Marie receives one to two networking invitations per day. Rather than defaulting to yes or no, she has a consistent framework: look up the host on LinkedIn, check whether they've posted about the event, click on photos from past events to see who was in the room, review the host's website, look for mutual connections, and assess whether the audience aligns with her business goals. Cold invites with no context almost always get a no — warm referrals get a conversation.

~12:00 — The Questions That Separate Good Rooms from Time Wasters

When a warm connection mentions an event, Marie and Anne-Marie don't just RSVP — they ask. Who's in the room? What do you talk about? How is it structured? How long does it run? Understanding the event format matters enormously. Marie shares her strong aversion to events where every attendee is given 90 seconds to pitch themselves — she knows those rooms don't play to her strengths and she opts out without guilt.

~18:00 — The Fly-on-the-Wall Mistake

Marie and Anne-Marie issue a clear warning: do not attend a networking event just to listen in. Hosts put real energy into designing rooms for connection — breakout conversations, intentional introductions, collaborative activities. Showing up camera-off and silent disrespects the room and wastes the host's effort. If someone isn't ready to show up fully, they're better off waiting until they are.

~24:00 — Marie's In-Person Event Strategy

Marie shares a recent experience attending a large CRM-focused event in her city. What made it worth her time: intentional networking breaks, curated dinner tables organized by interest, morning walks, and real space for conversation. She didn't attend just to hear speakers — she went to understand industry trends and to connect with people building similar businesses. Events that create structural space for connection are the ones Marie recommends and returns to.

"Your time is valuable. It's okay to say no. Ask the right questions — and if you're feeling it, go. If you don't, don't." — Anne-Marie

LINKS MENTIONED

Partnerships on Purpose Collaboration Room — mentioned as an example of an intentional, curated networking format

Episode on Showing Up: Marie and Anne-Marie reference a past episode on the importance of being present, camera-on, and engaged in virtual rooms.

SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT

If this episode gave you a new way to think about where you spend your networking time, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Partnerships on Purpose on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform — and leave a review if this conversation added value to your week.

Work with Marie & Anne-Marie: powerfulonlinepartnerships.com