Hi Reader,

When this email is sent, I’ll be closing January’s Netwalk and Talk.

It’s the 19th event since it started in April 2024. I can’t quite believe it.

Add that to the networking events I organised at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, the online events during pandemic times, special events like the Cellar Dining Experience and the Wolverhampton BID Excellence Awards…

Plus the countless events I’ve attended as a guest… too many to mention.

And there’s a question that always makes me smile when I hear it:

“How many people are coming?”

I get it. I ask it too.

After all, business is, to an extent, a numbers game. Some people want to give their business cards to (or make digital connections with) as many people as possible. For them, it’s about casting a wide net.

However, Reader, I’ve learned over the years that numbers definitely aren’t everything.

Here’s why:

1. Quality over quantity If you’re going to have proper conversations, you’re not going to be able to talk to everyone. Dishing out business cards like a blackjack dealer then moving on doesn’t make a great first impression.
2. Some people are better connected than others (No shade). Meeting them is like meeting 10. They know who to introduce you to and which events would be a good fit.
3. And then there are the hidden connectors...

These are the people recommending you without you knowing.

Sometimes you haven’t even met in person. They’ve seen you on LinkedIn. They read your emails. They like your style.

Then one day, someone contacts you: “Sarah suggested I reach out.”

You think: Sarah? I’ve never worked with Sarah. But Sarah knows your work. She saw the value. She made the connection.

This kind of recommendation feels like a gift. Because it is.

And now? AI is becoming a hidden connector too.

When someone searches (for example) “presentation coach Wolverhampton” or asks Claude “who can help with public speaking?” - you want your name to appear.

That’s why clarity matters. For humans AND algorithms.

WHAT MAKES CONNECTIONS EASIER?

Being clear about what you do and who you want to work with.

One example sticks in my mind.

When I met Matt Franks from Double Knot Studio at an Ambitious Creatives event in Porto, he told me he did 3D visualisations for interior designers.

So clear and simple, it stuck in my mind.

Since then, if I meet an interior designer, I think of Matt.

These recommendations help both parties (disclaimer: they have to be based on trust). Potential business for one. Someone to help for the other.

So Reader: Who do you want to be recommended to? Who can you recommend?

Best,

Charlotte

P.S. Know anyone preparing a presentation for an event or conference? That’s where I can help. Taking bookings for February - hit reply.

NEXT WEEK: Issue #8 - The Spark of Curiosity

PROMPT TO TRY THIS WEEK

If you’re clear on what you do and who you want to work with, but need some event inspiration that feels aligned to your personality, this prompt is for you.

Prompt:

“Help me find networking events that suit my preferences.

• Profession: [insert]
• Networking goal: [insert]
• Preferred style: [structured / relaxed / industry-specific]
• Social comfort: [introvert / extrovert]
• Time preference: [morning / daytime / evening]
• Travel range: [insert]
• Industries to connect with: [insert]
• Dates: [insert]

1) What types of events match these preferences? 2) What real events in [year] should I look at?”

Why this works:

AI can’t choose the room for you — but it can help you notice which rooms are worth choosing.

HOW THE COVER WAS CREATED

For this week’s cover, I decided to see what Charlotte Ex Machina would look like in a pop art style.

I think it’s one of my favourite styles so far.

​Wolverhampton Art Gallery has one of the country’s best collections of British and American pop art, including Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

It’s free to visit, the team are friendly and helpful (they were awarded Highly Commended in Team of the Year at the Wolverhampton BID Excellence Awards 2025), and I’d recommend it.