Episode Overview

Podcast: This Can't Be That Hard
Host: Annemie Tonken
Guest: Angelica Pompy (Pompy Portraits, business coach, marketing strategist)
Episode: 330 - Networking like a Pro with Angelica Pompy
Release Date: August 19, 2025

This episode tackles the often daunting topic of networking for creative entrepreneurs, particularly photographers. Annemie and her guest, Angelica Pompy, break down common misconceptions, discuss the value of authentic relationship-building (even for introverts), and outline practical, actionable strategies for making networking less intimidating and more fruitful. The conversation blends personal stories, concrete how-tos, and memorable tips—plus a free workbook—to help business owners level up their networking game and ultimately grow their businesses.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Real Value of Networking: Connection Over Card-Shuffling

• Networking Misconceptions:
  • Many creatives dread networking, envisioning old-school business card swaps or forced small talk. The reality, Angelica says, is it should be about genuine relationship-building.
• Why Networking Matters for Creatives:
  • Angelica (05:33):
    “At the end of the day, that person in person interaction is what's going to take your business to new heights. We buy people, buy from people. And I think that's what we tend to forget is, like, behind every small business, there's a family.”
  • In-person interactions help you stand out, build deeper trust, and move beyond the algorithmic limitations of social media.
• Visibility is Crucial:
  • Angelica (09:25):
    “An invisible business doesn't get business. So like, what are you doing to be visible? You want to be your backyard superhero at the end of the day.”

2. Angelica’s Networking Origin Story and the Power of Showing Up

• In her early days, Angelica networked avidly—sometimes attending multiple events in one day.
• Breakthrough Story (12:14–13:13):
  • Angelica recounts attending an event not aimed at her demographic, yet she chose to stay, made connections, and landed a client that ultimately generated nearly six figures.
  • Angelica:
    “I had set an intention. I just want to meet people that need to know about pompy portraits—not necessarily looking for direct leads...And that happened to me at 26 and was like, I will forever be networking.”
• Lesson: Even “wrong room” experiences can yield major results, provided you show up with the right intention.

3. Step-by-Step: Networking Strategies That Actually Work

A. Setting Intentions Before You Enter the Room

• Angelica (14:02):
  “The first step before even getting in the room is really setting the intention. Knowing what you're walking into...Is it to just bring brand visibility? Is it to get specific leads?”

B. Breaking the Ice—Even If You’re Shy

• Practical Approach:
  • Seek out the shyest person in the room and start a conversation with open-ended questions.
  • Angelica (15:20):
    “Go to the person that's in the corner on their phone and introduce yourself...I always love to lead conversation with open ended questions.”
• Question Examples:
  • “How did you hear about the event?”
  • “How did you get into this industry?”
  • Ask for further elaboration: “Tell me more.”

C. Turning Small Talk into Real Connection

• Ask What People Love:
  • Move beyond business basics to discover what lights people up personally.
  • Angelica (20:13):
    “What do you love? And it could be in business, it can be in life. But like, dig deeper because...that's gonna stand out versus the one that asked you, you know, what do you do and how long you've been in business.”

4. Tech Hacks: Simplifying Your Networking Workflow

• QR Codes on Your Phone:
  • Skip paper cards—have a QR code linked to your main social platform as your phone wallpaper.
  • Angelica (18:28):
    “Every time I go to a networking event, I make the back of my phone my QR code to my Instagram.”
• Screenshot + Message:
  • If you connect with someone, screenshot their profile to remind you to follow up later.

5. Follow-Up That Feels Natural, Not Pushy

• Video DM for Maximum Impact:
  • Stand out by sending a quick video message after meeting someone.
  • Angelica (30:29):
    “Instead of sending a text DM, I would send a video message. Guarantee you're going to stand out and people are going to be like, oh my gosh, putting again the face to name of who they talk to.”
• Make It Personal:
  • Reference something from your conversation (“I loved hearing about your dogs!”).
  • If the vibe is right, invite them to a virtual coffee chat.

6. Choosing (and Surviving) the Right Events

• Go Where Your Peers and Clients Gather:
  • Wedding photographers: Attend venue grand openings or vendor open houses.
  • Find memberships or groups where your target audience hangs out (“mom” groups, professional organizations, etc.).
• You Don’t Need to “Fit In” Exactly:
  • Show up authentically, even if you’re not the typical attendee (e.g., not a mom in a mom group).
  • Angelica (27:20):
    “Be honest. I don't have kids, but I'm here to support the people that are running this organization...Once they see...my energy and see me, they're like, oh, I need to follow her on Instagram.”
• Introverts: Play to Your Strengths:
  • Quiet, authentic energy also attracts the right clients. Don’t try to act extroverted if that’s not you.

7. Memorable Hacks for Personal Branding

• Wear Your Brand Colors:
  • Angelica always wears black or mustard yellow (her brand colors) to events, making her visually memorable.
  • Angelica (29:18):
    “Anytime they see like this mustard yellow...remind me of your business...Wear color and it brings brand awareness about your business.”
• Annemie and Angelica both highlight the power of consistent visual branding, both online and in person.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On showing up authentically:

  • Annemie (28:15): “It is so much easier to not be sort of putting on an act of any kind in either space...your people are out there and those are the people that you're going to ultimately want to work with because then the work is easier too.”

• On follow-up:

  • Angelica (30:29): “Instead of sending a text DM, I would send a video message. Guarantee you're going to stand out.”

• On brand visibility:

  • Angelica (29:18): “I always wear my brand colors...people remember that. Anytime they see this mustard yellow...remind me of your business.”

• On the impact of networking even when it feels awkward:

  • Angelica (12:19): “I made the best of that scenario. I walked away from that event with doing a grand opening of a dental office...They literally turn into almost a six figure client after all of their services.”

Recommended Action Plan

Angelica’s Networking System

1. Before the Event:
   • Set a clear intention (brand visibility, leads, connecting with specific people).
   • Research the event’s host, speakers, and attendees if possible.
2. At the Event:
   • Wear brand colors.
   • Use a QR code on your phone for quick connects.
   • Approach people with open-ended questions, especially those also looking for connection.
   • Engage in deeper conversation by asking what people truly love.
3. After the Event:
   • Screenshot profiles of key connections.
   • Follow up within 24 hours—ideally with a personalized video DM.
   • Suggest a virtual coffee chat to deepen the connection.

Angelica’s Recommended Metrics

• Attend at least one to two events per month.
• Try a variety of event sizes and types to find your best fit.
• Track which settings and follow-ups yield meaningful business relationships.

Resources

• Free Workbook: Angelica is offering a complimentary workbook (“From Low Impact to High Impact Networking”) with templates for elevator pitches, open-ended questions, and more. [Link in episode show notes.]
• Connect with Angelica:
  • Instagram: @angelicapompy
  • LinkedIn, Facebook, Website: angelicapompy.com

Angelica challenges listeners to send her a video DM through Instagram with their thoughts on the episode!

Segment Timestamps

• Intro & Angelica’s background – 00:00–04:24
• Networking for Creatives Discussion Begins – 04:29
• Angelica’s story: Pre- and Post-pandemic Marketing – 06:51
• The Value of Showing Up In Person – 09:25
• Angelica’s Major Networking Success Story – 12:14
• Step-by-step: How to Approach Networking Events – 14:02
• Open-Ended Questions & Conversation Tips – 15:20
• Tech Hacks for Networking – 17:47
• Turning Small Talk into Connection – 20:13
• Where to Find Good Events – 24:11
• How to Navigate Events with Different Demographics – 26:14
• Personal Branding Hacks – 29:18
• Follow-up Best Practices – 30:20
• Wrap Up and Resources – 32:59

Final Takeaway

Networking is not about being the loudest or most extroverted person in the room—it’s about being intentional, authentic, and memorable. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, there are actionable steps and creative hacks to help you build connections that can truly move your business forward.

And as Angelica says:
“An invisible business doesn't get business. So like, what are you doing to be visible?” (09:25)