You Can’t Build a Business From Behind a Screen

Hi reader,

To be completely honest with you, I’m a bit of a homebody. If I could handle everything from behind my computer, I probably would. Over time, though, I’ve realized something important: You can’t build a successful business from behind a screen alone. 

That might sound weird coming from the guy who’s always telling you how important your website is. And it is important. But it’s only part of the equation. 

I’ve learned that getting out of the house and meeting people is one of the best things I can do for my business. And every time I push myself to show up somewhere, it leads to something valuable.

Today’s advice to grow your business

Make time to have more face-to-face conversations. 

I know you have a million things to do, and it may feel like there’s not enough time in the day to do one more thing. But to succeed, you need to start working on your business instead of just working in it. And one of the best ways to do that is by building connections with other people.

People do business with those they like, know, and trust. And trust isn’t built through transactions – it’s built through real relationships. Taking the time to connect with others makes you someone people want to work with, recommend, and support. 

Face-to-face interactions create better connections than any email or Zoom call ever will. There’s just something different about meeting people in person, whether it’s grabbing coffee or showing up at an event. It sticks. People remember you, and trust builds so much faster that way.

Here’s how this will benefit you

People are way more likely to remember you when they meet you in person.

Think about the last time you met someone in person versus the last time you connected over email. Which one stuck with you more? If you’ve met someone face-to-face, you can probably picture where you were, how the conversation flowed, etc. But if it was just an email or DM, there’s a good chance their name blends in with the rest.

That’s because most communication isn’t even about words. Research shows that at least 55% of communication is nonverbal – things like facial expressions, body language, and tone. Those are the things that make interactions feel real and make people trust and remember you. Over email or even Zoom, most of that gets lost.

Strong relationships bring in new opportunities, referrals, and clients.

Some of the best business opportunities come from the people you know. A past client tells a friend about you. A business owner you met at an event sends referrals your way. A casual coffee chat turns into a partnership that changes everything. These moments don’t happen randomly – they happen because you’ve put in the time building connections with people who trust you and want to see you succeed.

The more people you connect with, the more doors open. Maybe not immediately, but over time, these relationships become the foundation that keeps your business growing. You never know which conversation will lead to your next big client, collaboration, or breakthrough opportunity.

Your first step

Make a plan to show up somewhere in person this week.

Look at your calendar and find an event or even just an opportunity to grab coffee with someone new. It doesn’t have to be a big, formal networking event – just something that gets you out talking to people.

Opportunities don’t always show up when you’re expecting them, but they do show up when you put yourself in the right places. So pick something, put it on your calendar, and commit to showing up. You never know what might come from it.

Best,

Jono

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