The Unexpected Networking Strategy That Grew My Business (Without Feeling Like “Networking”)

Ever walked into a networking event and felt like everyone already knew each other?
That used to be me with the tight smile, sweaty palms, and rehearsed elevator pitch in my back pocket.

Everything changed the day I stopped walking into rooms to “network”… and started walking in with a mission.

For me, that mission is Alzheimer’s advocacy. Leading the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Northern Shenandoah Valley introduced me to doctors, nonprofit directors, and business owners I might never have met otherwise, because we weren’t talking business first. We were talking impact.

This shift didn’t just grow my network. It gave me genuine relationships, credibility in my community, and opportunities that felt aligned with my values (and theirs). In this blog, I’ll share how leading with advocacy can build trust, grow your reach, and open doors without ever feeling salesy.

Advocacy = Instant Credibility (Without Selling Yourself)

When you show up for a cause bigger than your business, people see your heart before your title. Whether it’s a dental hygienist volunteering at a health fair or a practice sponsoring a local walk, advocacy shows that you care about people, not just profit.

For me, being visibly involved with Alzheimer’s awareness created instant common ground with healthcare providers, office managers, and community leaders. We connected over stories, not sales pitches. That built trust faster than any marketing campaign ever could.

Advocacy Opens the “Right” Doors (Aligned Opportunities)

Traditional networking can feel random, grabbing business cards, hoping for overlap. Advocacy draws the right people to you. At Alzheimer’s events, I meet professionals who share values like compassion, service, and community care, the exact traits I want in clients and partners.

These aren’t just contacts. They’re people who see my heart and want to collaborate because of it. That alignment makes future partnerships smoother and more impactful.

Advocacy Grows Visibility Naturally

Here’s the kicker: when you’re active in your community, visibility becomes organic. Photos from events, tagged posts, and local press mentions… This all positions you as someone who shows up and leads. For a brand like mine (and yours), that kind of exposure is priceless and 100% authentic.

How Practices Can Start (Without Overcommitting)

⚡ Choose a cause connected to your mission (oral health, senior care, mental health).

⚡ Start small: sponsor an event, share a resource, volunteer for a few hours.

⚡ Show up consistently: one event can start a ripple effect of connections and recognition.

Advocacy has changed my business and my life. It shifted me from “trying to network” to genuinely connecting. It built trust before transactions. And it opened doors to opportunities I never could have cold-pitched my way into.

If your dental or healthcare practice is craving deeper community trust (and wants visibility that feels real, not forced), start with advocacy. Show up where your heart already is and watch your network grow in ways you never expected.

Let’s keep the connection going.

I believe the most powerful relationships start face-to-face, but they grow when we nurture them consistently. That’s what social media makes possible, and that’s what I help mission-led leaders like you do every day.

You can find me on
⚡️ LinkedIn – my favorite space to build meaningful connections
⚡️ Instagram – for a peek into life, purpose, and social visibility
⚡️ Facebook – for insights, updates, and a growing community

Want to explore how Higher Social can support your nonprofit or private practice? I offer done-for-you social media management with a focus on real visibility, the kind that builds trust, not just trends. Book a consult and let’s see how we can grow together.

Contact me here.

Because your impact deserves to be seen online and in person, and you don’t have to do it alone. 

In Christ’s Love and Light,

Shalini Mikos ⚡️