Module 9 · Networking · Lesson 3 of 9

Meeting new people in person

Where to find people and how to approach them offline.

6 min read · Level: Beginner · Free — no account needed to read

The idea

Meeting new people offline happens most easily around shared activities: classes, clubs, volunteering, sports, faith groups, community events, meetups in your field. Shared activity gives you something to talk about and a reason to meet again.

Approaching someone is easier with a small, specific opener about the activity, and easier still in places where talking to strangers is expected — events are designed for it.

Why it matters

Most new relationships start in person around a shared activity. Choosing where to spend time is choosing who you will meet.

See it happen

Rahima moves to a new city for work and knows nobody.

The first reaction

She waits for friendships to happen through work.

With the idea

She joins a weekend hiking group and a language class. Within two months she has a few people to meet regularly.

What changed

Choosing shared activities created repeated contact with new people.

Easy to get wrong

• Going once and deciding it didn’t work.
• Only going to events where you already know people.

Try it now: Where people are

1. List three activities you enjoy or want to learn.
2. For each, find one group or event nearby where people do it together.
3. Pick one to attend twice.

Questions to think about

• Where do you meet new people now, if anywhere?
• What activity would you enjoy even if you met no one?

Your challenge this week

Go to one event or group this month where you will meet new people — and plan to go twice.