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Hey ya’ll. Sorry about last week, I was feeling a little under the weather so there’s not a whole lot to report on other than our upcoming Vision 2 Venture Summit which is going to be badass! More on that later.

For now, here’s what’s coming up:

• 🗣 A call for community partners and sponsors

• 🤝 12 other net-fests you might be interested in

• 🗞 Some interesting news headlines

• 🤖 10 Workflows that will make networking a whole lot easier

• 🚀 And of course, how I can help you grow

🚨Upcoming Event🚨

We’re gearing up for the Vision 2 Venture Summit, the ultimate one-day virtual speed networking event designed to cut through the noise and connect founders, investors, and industry leaders—FAST. Whether you’re looking for funding, partnerships, business growth, or career opportunities, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

We’re putting together 6 matchmaking tracks that align with what most startups need - partners, advisors/mentors, co-founders, investment, product and GTM. Each hour, you’ll be able to see who’s attending, choose who you want to meet, and have back-to-back, 1-on-1 conversations—eliminating the endless search, cold outreach, and time-consuming disco calls

But, we need your help! We’re looking for co-marketing partners and sponsors to maximize our reach and bring more opportunities to the table. By partnering with us, you’ll gain maximum exposure, exclusive networking opportunities, and a front-row seat to the next wave of innovation.

If you’re an engaged community leader, have a strong presence in the startup ecosystem, or want more brand visibility among high-growth startups and investors, let’s talk! We have our prospectus ready with some pretty sweet perks.

Reply here or send me a DM on LinkedIn!

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Just for Fun! 😂

🤖 10 Ways to Automate Networking

Networking can feel like a never-ending chore—scrolling, messaging, following up, and hoping someone replies. But what if you could automate the grunt work while still making genuine, high-value connections?

Here are 10 unconventional workflows to scale your network, start conversations, and nurture relationships on autopilot.

1. The “Ghostwriter” LinkedIn Content Engine

Goal: Grow your network without cold outreach by making people come to you.

How it Works:

1. AI scans LinkedIn trends and surfaces high-engagement topics in your industry.

2. It drafts authentic, thought-leadership posts (not cringe-inducing fluff).

3. Posts are auto-scheduled 3x a week using AI.

4. AI tracks who engages (likes, comments, shares) and flags them as warm leads.

5. The system auto-follows top engagers and sends a personalized connection request.

Outcome: You attract high-quality connections without cold outreach.

2. The “No-Reply? No Problem” Auto-Follow-Up Bot

Goal: Stop loosing potential connections just because they didn’t reply the first time.

How it Works:

1. AI tracks sent messages on LinkedIn & email.

2. If no response in 5 days, AI personalizes and sends a casual follow-up.

3. If still no response in 10 days, AI suggests a warm-up tactic (e.g., engaging with their post).

4. After 15 days, AI automates a final outreach with a value offer (e.g., invite to an event).

Outcome: More responses, less ghosting, and higher engagement-without manually chasing leads.

3. The “Networking Goldmine” Event Follow-up Funnel

Goal: Turn event attendees into real relationships (Instead of forgotten business cards).

How it Works:

1. AI scrapes LinkedIn event attendee lists and finds top people to connect with.

2. Auto-sends a post-event message with a personalized follow-up.

3. AI tracks responses and segments warm leads into CRM.

4. Follows up in 7 days with a value-driven conversation starter.

Outcome: Turn event attendees into long-term connections and partnerships.

4. The “Strategic Lurker” Engagement Funnel

Goal: Build rapport before outreach by engaging with high-value connections

How it Works:

1. AI identifies 5-10 high-value contacts per week.

2. It auto-engages with their LinkedIn posts (likes, insightful comments).

3. After 3-4 interactions, AI sends a personalized connection request.

4. AI follows up 2 weeks later with an offer to chat.

Outcome: Higher connection acceptance rates and better warm leads.

5. The “Coffee Chat Without the Coffee” Matchmaker

Goal: Automate monthly 1-on-1 networking with curated matches.

How it Works:

1. AI analyzes your contacts and finds potential high-value matches.

2. Sends a warm intro email suggesting a quick chat.

3. Auto-schedules meetings based on availability.

Outcome: You stay top-of-mind without manually setting up meetings.

6. The “Community Builder’s” Best Assistant

Goal: Build an engaged online community without constant manual effort

How it Works:

1. AI greets new members & sparks discussions.

2. Shares personalized content based on engagement.

3. Tracks who is most engaged for deeper networking.

Outcome: A highly engaged network that feels personal without being online 24/7.

7. The “Never Miss an Opportunity” Tracker

Goal: Get real-time alerts when someone in your network raises funding, changes jobs or posts about an opportunity.

How it Works:

1. AI monitors LinkedIn, Crunchbase, and job changes in your network.

2. Sends alerts when a contact raises funding, posts a job, or makes an announcement.

3. Automatically generates a warm outreach message based on the update.

Outcome: You always know when to engage at the perfect moment without manually checking Linkedin.

8. The “Job Seeker’s Machine”

Goal: Stay top-of-mind for job opportunities without actively applying.

How it Works:

1. AI tracks key hiring managers, recruiters, and past colleagues.

2. Automates monthly check-ins with warm leads.

3. AI sends alerts for newly posted jobs in your network.

Outcome: More referrals & inbound job offers instead of endless job applications.

9. The “Speaker Magnet” Panel & Podcast Tracker

Goal: Automate your speaker & media outreach so you get more visibility.

How it Works:

1. AI scans event sites, podcasts, and speaking panels for relevant opportunities.

2. Pulls host contacts and past guest lists to suggest high-fit targets.

3. Auto-generates a pitch email tailored to each opportunity and tracks responses.

Outcome: More speaking & podcast invites without manual outreach.

10. The “Ice Breaker” Personalized DM

Goal: Make each message feel personal without writing every message manually.

How it Works:

1. AI analyzes a person’s LinkedIn activity (recent posts, comments, interests).

2. Generates a hyper-personalized DM based on their latest activity.

3. Follows up with a conversation starter related to their work.

Outcome: Better response rates without sounding robotic.

Need Help or Don’t Have the Time?

👇

Let’s Talk.

Share your Networking Success Story! 🌟

Did someone in your network hook you up with your dream job, land you that big client, or make the intro that changed everything? We want the juicy details!

We’re on the hunt for inspiring, funny, or downright surprising stories about how networking opened doors and catapulted you to success. Think of it as your chance to brag—humbly, of course. 😉

What’s in it for you?
✔️ Showcase your story to a professional audience.
✔️ Build your personal brand and credibility.
✔️ Inspire others to invest in their networking efforts.
✔️ Free BLKBOOK event ticket.

How to Apply?
• Share a brief overview of your story.
• Include how your network played a key role.
• Submit your story here.

We’ll feature select stories in our newsletter and upcoming events. This is your chance to highlight the connections that made a difference and inspire others to start building their own.

Don’t be shy—your story could inspire someone else to make their next big move (and let’s be honest, we all love a good success story). 🚀