If you’ve ever raised capital, built partnerships, or tried to grow through referrals, you already know the pitch deck is not the whole story.

David Homan has spent more than a decade building a global network of over 2,000 family offices, founders, and impact investors, with a clear system for turning introductions into funding, collaboration, and real business outcomes.

As the founder of Orchestrated Connecting, he makes thousands of strategic introductions each year. His book explains the thinking behind it, and his startup, SOAR Connect, is building tools for people who want to manage relationships properly instead of chasing contacts.

In this episode, we get into how access really works, what separates empty networking from relationships that actually lead somewhere, and why trust still decides who gets the reply, the introduction, and the second chance.

What we cover

1️⃣ The networking advice that wastes most people’s time

David shares his “34% rule” and explains why a lot of networking effort goes nowhere unless you get better at spotting the people who genuinely engage.

2️⃣ Raising before the ask becomes urgent

This part gets into building trust before you need money, support, or favours, so your relationships are not only active when something is on the line.

3️⃣ The inner work behind better relationships

Stress, self-awareness, and honest feedback all shape how people experience you. David explains why stronger networking starts there.

4️⃣ A better way to pitch without performing

Whether you are naturally confident or more reserved, the goal is the same: drop the act, explain what matters clearly, and make the conversation two-way.

5️⃣ Why introductions carry real weight

An introduction is not a casual favour. David talks about follow-through, gratitude, and what it means to honour the chain when trust has been extended on your behalf.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to David Homan

01:56 The 34% rule of networking

07:17 5 principles of real connection

12:00 Network before you raise

18:03 Self-work for better networking

25:19 Pitching without bravado

37:36 Can online trust be real?

44:37 How people burn social capital

50:45 Honour the chain of connection

55:37 Conference networking tactics

📘 Get David Homan’s book, Orchestrating Connection

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