The 30-60-90 Day Networking Onboarding Plan

You joined a networking group. Now what?

Week 1, you’re excited. You post your intro video, watch a few others, wait for the referrals to roll in. Week 2, nothing happens. Week 3, still nothing. Week 4, you’re thinking: “Did I just waste my money?”

Here’s what nobody tells new members: networking isn’t a sprint, it’s a system. And like any system, it works when you follow a process.

The good news? You don’t need to figure it out yourself. Business owners who succeed in video networking follow the same 30-60-90 day pattern. Watch 100% of videos first month. Engage 50% second month. Give 3 referrals third month. By Week 10, you’ll see your first quality leads.

Let me show you exactly what to do each week.

Days 1-30: Foundation Phase (Learn the Landscape)

Your only job this month: learn who everyone is and let them learn who you are.

Don’t worry about referrals yet. Don’t panic when your phone isn’t ringing. You’re building the foundation. Trust takes time.

Emma Thompson

Real Estate Agent

Thompson Realty Group

Burnaby, BC

Week 1, Emma watched 12 videos and panicked. "I don't know these people. They all seem established. Did I join too late?"

Week 4, she'd watched 48 videos total. Now she knew everyone's name, business, and what they were looking for. Tom needed small business clients. Sarah worked with local entrepreneurs and small marketing budgets. Miguel specialized in heritage homes.

She didn't have referrals yet. But she wasn't panicking anymore. She understood the group.

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

Week 1-2 Tasks: Set Up Your Presence

Record your intro video (don’t overthink it):

• Who you are and what you do (30 seconds)
• What kind of clients you’re looking for (20 seconds)
• One interesting non-work fact about you (10 seconds)

That’s it. 60 seconds total. Phone camera. Natural light. One take. Post it.

Watch 100% of member videos:

• You don’t need to comment yet (just watch)
• Take notes: Name, business, what they’re looking for
• React with thumbs up or heart (signals “I’m here”)

Set up your profile:

• Professional headshot (not a logo)
• Clear business description (what you do, who you help)
• Ideal client description (specific, not “anyone who needs X”)

Week 3-4 Tasks: Start Light Engagement

Post 2 more videos:

• Week 3: Business update or client success story
• Week 4: Specific thing you’re looking for this month

Comment on 5 videos (real comments, not “great video!”):

• Reference something specific they said
• Ask a follow-up question if relevant
• Show you actually watched

DM 2 members whose businesses complement yours:

• “Hey [Name], I watched your video about [specific thing]. I work with [type of clients] who often need [their service]. Let’s connect.”
• Keep it short, value-focused, not salesy

Track who watches your videos:

• Most platforms show view counts
• Note who’s consistently watching (they’re interested)

By Day 30: What Success Looks Like

You’re not aiming for referrals yet. You’re aiming for recognition.

Success means:

• You know everyone’s name and business
• 5-10 people recognize your name when you post
• You’ve posted 4 videos consistently
• You’ve engaged with 15+ other members (reactions, comments, DMs)

If you hit these milestones, you’re on track. If not, adjust Week 5-8 to increase engagement.

“Trust isn’t built in a week. It’s built in 30 days of showing up, watching, and letting people see you’re actually here to participate.”

Days 31-60: Engagement Phase (Build Recognition and Trust)

Now you shift from observer to participant.

You know everyone. They recognize your face. Time to deepen 5-10 key relationships and establish yourself as an engaged member.

Tom Marino

Accountant (CPA)

Marino & Associates Accounting

Coquitlam, BC

Week 5, Tom identified his "Most Aligned 5" - members whose clients most often needed tax planning. Sarah (marketing consultant with small business clients). Emma (realtor with first-time buyers needing mortgage tax advice). Miguel (contractor with renovation clients needing depreciation strategies). Linda (mortgage broker whose clients needed pre-approval financial cleanup). David (insurance agent whose clients had estate planning needs).

He didn't just watch their videos anymore. He commented thoughtfully. He DM'd resources when relevant. Week 7, Sarah asked a tax question in her video. Tom DM'd a 2-page guide within an hour.

Week 9, Sarah referred her first client to Tom. Month 6, those 5 relationships generated 80% of his network revenue.

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

Week 5-6 Tasks: Identify Your Core Group

Post weekly video consistently (don’t skip):

• Business updates, client wins, specific weekly story
• End with clear call-to-action: “DM me if you know someone who…”
• Keep it 60-90 seconds (respect people’s time)

Engage 50% of videos (not 100% anymore):

• Watch, react, comment on half the group
• Focus on people whose businesses align with yours
• Quality over quantity (thoughtful comments > emoji reactions)

DM 3 deeper conversations:

• Follow up on someone’s video with a resource
• Ask a question about their business
• Offer an introduction (even if not a paying client)

Identify your “Most Aligned 5”:

• Which 5 members’ clients most often need what you offer?
• Which 5 members serve clients you most often need to refer out?
• Write down their names, watch their videos religiously

Week 7-8 Tasks: Establish Engagement Pattern

Post video highlighting someone else’s business:

• “This week I want to shout out [Member] who helped me with [thing]”
• Public endorsement builds their credibility and your generosity reputation
• They’ll remember you when they have a referral

Make your first specific request in a video:

• Not “I need clients” (too vague)
• “I’m looking for introductions to [specific type of business] who need [specific outcome]”
• Example: “Restaurant owners preparing for spring patio season renovations”

Attend optional virtual meetup (if offered):

• Not required, but accelerates trust
• Deepens 1-2 relationships from video-only to video + live
• Some people need to “meet” you before they refer

Track engagement patterns:

• Who consistently watches your videos?
• Who leaves thoughtful comments?
• Who reciprocates when you engage with them?

By Day 60: What Success Looks Like

You’re not chasing referrals. You’re building credibility.

Success means:

• 5-10 people recognize you as engaged member
• 2-3 ongoing DM conversations about business collaboration
• Your “Most Aligned 5” know exactly what you’re looking for
• You’ve publicly endorsed 1-2 other members
• People respond when you engage with their content

If you’re hitting these, Week 9-12 will bring your first leads. If not, increase engagement in next phase.

“Week 8 feels like nothing’s happening. Week 10, everything clicks. The difference? Two more weeks of consistency.”

Days 61-90: Contribution Phase (Give First, Establish Reputation)

Month 3 is where most people quit too early or finally break through.

You’ve shown up for 60 days. People trust you’re real. Now you shift from “building relationships” to “activating relationships” by giving first.

Sarah Martinez

Marketing Consultant

Martinez Marketing Solutions

Vancouver, BC

Week 9, Sarah decided to give before asking. She had a small business client who was getting serious about their books and needed a reliable accountant. She referred them to Tom (the accountant she'd been engaging with for 8 weeks).

Week 10, she referred a small manufacturing client needing renovation to Miguel. Week 11, she shared a free brand positioning template in her video that three members DM'd about.

Week 12, Tom referred his first client to Sarah. Emma sent two. By month 6, Sarah's reputation as a connector generated 12 quality leads - all because she gave three referrals in Month 3 before asking for anything back.

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

Week 9-10 Tasks: Give Your First Referrals

Give 3 referrals to other members:

• Look through your existing clients/network
• Who needs what 3 group members offer?
• Make warm introductions via email/DM (both parties copied)

Lower the bar on what counts as a referral:

• Not just paying clients (introductions, resources, connections)
• “Hey [Member], you asked about X last week - I know someone, connecting you”
• Even small helps build reputation

Post video sharing resource/insight:

• Free template, checklist, or guide valuable to group
• Positions you as helpful (not just taking)
• People remember who adds value

Respond to someone else’s weekly story publicly or via DM:

• “I might know someone who…” (then actually introduce them)
• “I don’t have a referral but here’s a resource that might help”
• Action beats sympathy

Continue weekly video + 30% engagement:

• You’ve proven consistency, now you’re sustainable
• 30% engagement (10 members if group is 35) is enough
• Focus on depth with aligned members, not breadth with everyone

Week 11-12 Tasks: Make Your Strategic Request

Make specific request in your video:

• By now you’ve earned the right to be direct
• “I’m looking for [specific client type] who need [specific outcome] by [timeframe]”
• Example: “Restaurants preparing for patio season, need 6-week renovation timeline”

Follow up on any leads within 24 hours:

• Someone refers you: respond same day
• Value-first first touch (resource, insight, not sales pitch)
• Keep referrer in loop (update them on progress)

Loop back to referrers:

• “Thanks for introducing me to [Name] - we had a great call, moving to proposal”
• People refer more when they know you don’t drop leads
• Even if lead doesn’t close, update them

Evaluate ROI after 90 days:

• Any leads received? (even if not closed yet)
• Any partnership conversations forming?
• Any reputation building (people seeking your expertise)?

By Day 90: What Success Looks Like

You’ve completed the foundation. Now you’re a trusted member.

Success means:

• Reputation as engaged, helpful member (not lurker or taker)
• Given 3+ referrals (established reciprocity pattern)
• Received 1-3 quality leads (may not be closed yet, that takes time)
• “Most Aligned 5” relationships deepening (coffee meetings, ongoing DMs)
• Weekly video habit sustainable (not burning out)

If you hit these milestones, expect 2-4 quality leads monthly by Month 6. If not, see troubleshooting below.

“Month 3 is where you earn your network reputation. Give three referrals, stay consistent, keep showing up. Month 6 is where your network pays you back.”

Post-90 Days: Maintenance Phase (Sustain and Scale)

You’ve done the hard work. Now you maintain.

Weekly video (non-negotiable):

• Consistency = top-of-mind = referrals
• Miss one week, people forget you for two

20-30% engagement:

• Watch/comment on videos you’re genuinely interested in
• You don’t need to watch everyone anymore
• Depth with 8-12 members > breadth with 35

Give 1 referral per month minimum:

• Maintains giver reputation
• Reciprocity compounds over time
• People remember who helps them

1-2 DM conversations per month:

• Deepen key relationships beyond video
• Coffee meetups with local members (optional but powerful)
• Collaboration on projects/clients

Quarterly review:

• Track referrals given vs received
• Adjust “Most Aligned” list as group evolves
• Evaluate if time investment matches ROI

Red Flags: If It’s Not Working by Week 12

Nobody Watches Your Videos (Below 20% View Rate)

Diagnosis: Your weekly stories are too vague OR you’re not engaging others enough.

Fix:

• Make video titles more specific: “Tax Tips for Restaurants” not “My Week”
• Engage 50% of videos for next 4 weeks (reciprocity kicks in)
• Ask direct questions in videos: “Who here works with manufacturers?”

No DMs or Conversations

Diagnosis: Videos are one-way broadcast, not inviting conversation.

Fix:

• End every video with: “DM me if [specific thing]”
• Initiate 5 DMs yourself this week (model the behavior you want)
• Ask questions that require DM to answer (not yes/no in comments)

No Referrals Given by You

Diagnosis: Not listening to others’ needs OR passive lurking.

Fix:

• Watch 50% of videos this week, take notes on what people are asking for
• Send 3 DMs: “Your video about X - I might know someone who needs that”
• Lower bar: introductions count, doesn’t need to be perfect fit

Receiving But Not Giving (0 Given, 3 Received)

Diagnosis: Taker reputation forming (unsustainable).

Fix:

• Give 6 referrals in next 2 weeks (correct ratio to 3:1 give/receive)
• Thank referrers publicly in videos
• Ask: “How can I help you?” in DMs with recent referrers

When to Pivot vs When to Persist

Pivot (Change Strategy) If:

Week 8: View rate below 15% despite engaging 50% of videos

• Videos aren’t resonating, need to adjust messaging or specificity

Week 12: Zero DMs despite clear CTAs in every video

• Wrong audience fit (consider if this is right group)

Week 16: No referral conversations despite giving 5+ referrals

• Industry mismatch with group composition

Persist (Stay the Course) If:

Week 8: Views at 30%, comments growing steadily

• Trust building at normal pace, results come Week 10-14

Week 12: First lead conversations starting

• Timing is right, conversions take 2-4 more weeks

Week 6: You feel discouraged but hitting all benchmarks

• Emotional doubt, not data-driven concern

The 12-Week Rule: Don’t quit before Week 12 unless data clearly shows wrong group fit.

Ready to Network with a Proven Onboarding System?

We built Rhythm of Business because we were tired of networking groups that threw you in without a roadmap.

So we created onboarding that works:

• 30-60-90 day benchmarks so you know exactly what success looks like each month
• Behavioral clustering that matches you with reciprocators (not takers)
• Industry exclusivity so you can give referrals without fear of competition

No guessing if you’re doing it right. No panic at Week 4 when nothing’s happened yet. Just a clear path from Day 1 to your first quality lead by Week 10.

Related Reading

• The First 12 Weeks: When Video Networking Actually Starts Working - Realistic timeline for trust-building
• The Feedback Loop: How to Know If Your Networking Is Working - Track 7 key signals to measure progress
• The Reciprocity Rule: Give 70%, Receive 30% - Understanding the give-first networking math