Podcast Summary: 🏸I try PickleBALL!! ➕ My Rant About How to Really NETWORK | Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson, Ep. 474

Episode Date: March 13, 2026
Host: Jay Schwedelson (GURU Media Hub)
Theme: Bold, actionable career advice with a signature dash of humor, focusing this week on authentic networking tactics and Jay’s comically honest first foray into pickleball.

Episode Overview

This lively episode moves away from typical marketing hacks to zero in on what Jay calls a “bonkers” career topic: the realities of networking—and how most people get it wrong. Jay challenges the lazy, transactional approach he sees all too often on LinkedIn and at IRL events, advocating instead for a more strategic, generous, and intentional strategy. The episode ends with his candid, self-deprecating review of trying pickleball for the first time—an offbeat metaphor for trying new things, even if you feel absurd.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Networking on LinkedIn: Play the Long Game (00:45–07:10)

• LinkedIn isn’t just for applicants:
  Jay stresses the importance of showing up on LinkedIn even when you’re not looking for a job, calling it “the long game.”

  “Maybe you love your job today, but things happen, okay? And you need to be growing your network…so you are ready.” (01:22–01:34)

• Don’t just cold-connect—build recognition first:
  The “secret sauce” is to interact with high-value connections before sending that request:

  • Make a list of 50-100 desired connections.
  • Follow them, turn on the notification bell for new posts.
  • Engage meaningfully with every post for 30–60 days.
  • Only then send a custom connection note (desktop only).

  “You will start to become branded in their mind. They will start to see your name…And then you send them a connection request, not before.” (04:13–04:36)

  • Custom notes = ~30% higher acceptance rate.
  • Suggested note: “I've been learning so much from your content. I want to continue to learn…”

• Leverage your mutual connections:
  Don’t start by aiming for the VP/Director—network with lower-level managers at target companies first so when higher-ups check mutual connections, you're already in their circle.

  “The likelihood of them accepting [your request] goes up astronomically.” (06:48–06:54)

2. Networking IRL: Events With Intention (07:10–12:05)

• Stop “just showing up” at events:
  Approach every event—no matter the size—with a specific, prioritized plan to meet two or three key people.

  “I am always intentional about any event I go to…My focus is somehow weaving my way over to the person, getting introduced, befriending, laughing, exchanging numbers…” (09:24–09:50)

• Be a “party pooper” on purpose:
  Having fun is secondary; your goal is to build key relationships.

  “Stop going to business events just to have a good time. Go there with a plan. Execute on that plan.” (10:01–10:12)

• Ask for introductions—don’t be shy:
  Most people are more willing than you think to broker warm intros.

  “It's underrated how much people are willing to help each other. If you see somebody you know is connected with somebody you want to meet, it’s okay… That introduction might change your business, your career, your whatever.” (11:38–12:00)

• Uncomfortable = Growth:
  Jay’s blunt reality check: these tactics don’t feel natural—but that's the point.

  “Everything I just talked about is nauseating. It's not fun. It's the opposite of what you want to do. I don't want to do any of it. But if you want to grow…this is what you do.” (12:10–12:31)

3. [BONUS] Jay’s Foray Into Pickleball — And The Perils of Too Many Rules (13:38–18:00)

An offbeat, hilarious “since you didn’t ask” segment in which Jay narrates being peer-pressured into trying pickleball by family who worries he never has fun.

• Jay’s honest review:
  • Liked pickleball, but the name is “horrendous.”
  • Complains: “Way too many rules…4,000 rules.”

    “Everything needs to have less rules. You know what games I like? Like, remember Boggle?” (15:20–15:45)

  • Jay’s ideal: short, simple games like Boggle or Candyland (“You slide down a slide. Very few rules.”)
  • Self-roast: “If one of my friends said to me they had a pickleball lesson, I would call them a nerd.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Strategic LinkedIn Networking:

  “You want to be doing networking on LinkedIn. Not for today…You can't just go on their profile and send them a connection request. …That's not how you get higher level people to want to connect with you.” — Jay (02:03–02:55)

• On Being Intentional at Events:

  “That is all I care about. My focus is somehow weaving my way over to that person… so that I walk out of there and I have met the person. I am not going there to have a good time.” — Jay (09:36–09:54)

• On the Discomfort of Networking:

  “Everything I just talked about is nauseating. It's not fun…But if you want to grow, you want to advance, this is what you do.” — Jay (12:10–12:31)

• On Pickleball (& Games Generally):

  “Too many rules. What am I talking about? I don't know, actually.” — Jay (17:05–17:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:45 — Jay introduces his rant about networking and mindset flaws.
• 02:00 — “Secret sauce” for connecting with higher-level LinkedIn users.
• 05:25 — “Go down in the org chart,” the strategy for company-targeted networking.
• 09:24 — The intentionally “party pooper” approach to event networking.
• 11:38 — Asking for introductions (“underrated!”).
• 12:10 — Why networking should feel uncomfortable.
• 13:38 — Jay’s pickleball adventure and thoughts on rule overload.
• 17:05 — Boggle, Candyland, and a desire for simplicity.

Recap & Final Advice

In classic Jay Schwedelson style, this episode arms listeners with a ruthlessly practical, slightly uncomfortable playbook for real networking—whether you’re angling for a job, clients, or industry credibility. Jay urges listeners to plan, persist, and be intentional, both online and offline, and to get out of their comfort zone because that’s where growth—and true connection—happens.

And remember: Whatever your game—on the pickleball court or LinkedIn—keep the rules simple, but the effort all-in.

“Go out there and crush it. You are awesome.”