Top 8 'Serendipity-Sparking' Networking Tips to acquire for Remote Workers Building a Network from Scratch in a New City - Goh Ling Yong
You’ve done it. You packed your bags, wrangled the logistics, and moved to a vibrant new city. The remote work dream is alive! You have the freedom to live anywhere, and you chose here. There’s just one small, looming detail: your professional network consists of your laptop, a ficus plant you named “Wilson,” and the delivery guy who now knows your lunch order by heart.
Building a network from scratch is daunting for anyone. But for a remote worker, it presents a unique challenge. You don't have a built-in office community or after-work happy hours to ease you into the local scene. Your colleagues are scattered across time zones, visible only in tiny boxes on a screen. It can feel like you're trying to build a bridge with no materials, on an island of one.
But here’s the secret: this blank slate is your greatest asset. You have the opportunity to build a network that is authentic, diverse, and tailored to you—not just the company you work for. It’s not about collecting business cards or schmoozing. It’s about strategically placing yourself in the path of opportunity and connection. It’s about learning how to spark serendipity. Here are eight tips to help you do just that.
1. Become a 'Regular' Somewhere (That Isn't Your Living Room)
The magic of the office isn't the free snacks; it's the power of repeated, low-stakes interaction. You see the same people every day, which builds a foundation of familiarity that makes conversation easy. As a remote worker, you need to manufacture this environment for yourself. The key is consistency.
Instead of trying a new coffee shop every day, choose one or two and become a fixture. Go at the same time, sit in a similar spot. Let the baristas learn your name and your order. Let the other regulars see your face repeatedly. This transforms you from a random stranger into a familiar part of the scenery. The barrier to starting a conversation—“Hey, I see you here all the time, what do you work on?”—drops significantly. This same principle applies to co-working spaces (even a flex-desk membership), a specific park bench, or a library study area.
Actionable Tip: Pick your "third place" and commit to it for a month. Your goal isn't to network actively at first. Your only goal is to show up. Bring a book or your laptop. The simple act of being a consistent presence is the first, most crucial step. You'll be surprised how many connections start with a simple nod of recognition that evolves into a conversation over time.
2. Leverage Your Hobbies, Not Just Your Profession
One of the biggest networking mistakes is believing it must happen in a professional context. The strongest, most serendipitous connections often happen when you meet people through a shared passion. Why? Because you’re connecting as humans first, professionals second. It’s far more natural to build rapport with someone while you’re both struggling up a climbing wall or debating the merits of a fantasy novel than it is over lukewarm coffee at a sterile networking event.
Think about what you genuinely love to do outside of work. Is it hiking, board games, pottery, beach volleyball, or urban sketching? Your new city is guaranteed to have a community built around that interest. These groups are filled with people from every conceivable industry—designers, engineers, founders, lawyers, and scientists. The person spotting you at the gym could be the CEO of a startup you admire. The person you’re volunteering with at the animal shelter could be a hiring manager at your dream company.
Actionable Tip: Use platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, or local Facebook groups to find a club or group dedicated to one of your personal interests. Commit to attending at least three meetings or events. Go with the sole intention of having fun and meeting people who share your passion. Let your profession come up naturally in conversation, rather than leading with it.
3. Master the 'Curiosity Coffee'
The term "informational interview" can feel transactional and intimidating. So, let’s rebrand it. Call it a "curiosity coffee," a "brain-picking session," or simply a chat. Your goal is not to ask for a job; it’s to learn from someone’s experience and build a genuine connection. People are surprisingly generous with their time when the request is framed around genuine curiosity and respect for their work.
Identify people in your new city who have careers you find interesting, work at companies you admire, or hold roles you aspire to. Use LinkedIn to find them, and then send a short, personalized message. The key is to make it easy for them to say yes. Be specific, be respectful of their time, and make it clear what you hope to learn. A little flattery about their specific work goes a long way.
Actionable Tip: Draft a template for your outreach. Something like:
"Hi [Name], my name is [Your Name] and I'm a [Your Role] who recently moved to [City]. I've been following the work you've done with [Their Project/Company] and I'm so impressed by [Specific Accomplishment]. If you have 20 minutes in the coming weeks, I'd love to buy you a coffee and hear a bit about your journey in the [Their Industry] scene here in town. I’m simply looking to learn from experienced folks as I get settled."
4. Use Digital Tools to Engineer In-Person Luck
As a remote worker, you are a master of digital tools. Now it's time to leverage those skills to build your analog, real-world network. Your goal is to use online platforms as a bridge to offline conversations and events. Local tech communities often have dedicated Slack or Discord channels. Neighborhoods have vibrant Facebook groups. These are goldmines for information and connection.
Don’t just be a passive lurker in these groups. Introduce yourself. Ask for recommendations for the best local coffee, a reliable mechanic, or a quiet park. Answering these questions is an easy way for people to engage and help you. More importantly, these platforms are where you'll find out about under-the-radar events—the small, niche meetups that lead to higher-quality conversations than the massive, impersonal conferences.
Actionable Tip: Join at least three local online communities. One for your profession (e.g., "SF Tech Slack"), one for your neighborhood (e.g., "The Mission SF Neighbors"), and one for a hobby (e.g., "Bay Area Hikers"). For one week, your goal is to post one question or helpful comment in each group.
5. Create Your Own Gravity by Hosting
Waiting for the perfect networking event to fall into your lap is a passive game. The ultimate serendipity-sparking move is to become the catalyst yourself. You don’t need to host a 100-person gala. The most effective events are often small and specific. By creating the event, you instantly position yourself as a connector and a leader.
This can be incredibly simple. Post in a local remote workers' group: "Hey everyone, I'm a remote software engineer new to the city. I'm planning to co-work from [Awesome Cafe with good WiFi] this Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM. If any other remote folks want to join for some focused work and a chat, come say hi! I'll be the one with the bright green laptop." Suddenly, you've created a micro-community. People will come to you.
Actionable Tip: Define a small, low-effort event you can host. It could be a "Remote Workers' Coffee Hour," a "Dog-Owners' Park Meetup," or a "New-to-the-City Lunch." Pick a date, time, and public location. Post it in one of the online communities you joined. Even if only one or two people show up, you've just made meaningful connections you wouldn't have otherwise.
6. Volunteer for a Cause You Genuinely Care About
Volunteering is a networking superpower. It accomplishes three things at once. First, it connects you with people who share your core values, which is a powerful foundation for any relationship, professional or personal. Second, it gets you out into the community, working side-by-side with a diverse group of locals. Third, it demonstrates character and a commitment to your new community, which is a highly attractive trait.
Choose a cause that genuinely resonates with you, not just one you think looks good on a resume. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, maintaining trails at a local park, or mentoring students, the shared purpose creates an immediate bond. The conversations you have while sorting cans or pulling weeds are often more unguarded and authentic than any you’d have in a boardroom. It’s a principle Goh Ling Yong often discusses in the context of business: leading with value and genuine contribution always yields the best results in the long run.
Actionable Tip: Use a site like VolunteerMatch to find local organizations aligned with your passions. Commit to one volunteer shift. Go without any expectation of networking. Focus on the work and on being helpful. The connections will happen as a natural byproduct of your contribution.
7. Adopt a Mindset of Generosity and Curiosity
So much of networking feels awkward because it’s rooted in a transactional mindset: "What can this person do for me?" To spark true serendipity, you must flip this script. Enter every interaction with a mindset of generosity and curiosity: "What can I learn from this person?" and "How might I be able to help them?"
This shifts the entire dynamic. You stop trying to "sell" yourself and start genuinely listening. When you learn about someone's challenges, you can think about who in your (even nascent) network might be able to help. Maybe you just read an article that's perfectly relevant to their project. Send it to them. Perhaps you know someone they should meet. Offer an introduction. As the brilliant Goh Ling Yong has noted, building a powerful network isn't about collecting contacts; it's about becoming a valuable node in the network itself.
Actionable Tip: For the next week, every time you meet someone new, give yourself a secret mission: find one way you can offer value without expecting anything in return. It could be a book recommendation, a link to a helpful tool, or an introduction to someone else you’ve met. This small shift will fundamentally change how you approach networking.
8. Master the Memorable Follow-Up
Meeting someone is only the first 10% of building a connection. The real work—and the real opportunity—is in the follow-up. A generic "Nice to meet you" email is forgettable and gets deleted. A memorable follow-up is personal, specific, and adds value. It solidifies the interaction in the other person's mind and transforms a fleeting chat into the beginning of a real professional relationship.
Your follow-up note (sent via email or LinkedIn within 24 hours) should directly reference a specific point from your conversation. This proves you were listening. Then, if possible, include that "offer of value" we just talked about. This shows you are thoughtful and resourceful. Keep it short, human, and don't ask for anything.
Actionable Tip: The next time you have a good conversation with someone new, use this follow-up template:
Subject: Great chatting about [Specific Topic] at [Place You Met]!
Hi [Name],
It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about [mention something specific, e.g., the challenges of scaling a design team].
It got me thinking about that [Article/Book/Podcast] we discussed. Here's the link in case it’s useful: [Insert Link].
Hope to cross paths again soon!
Best,
[Your Name]
Conclusion: Be the Architect of Your Own Luck
Moving to a new city as a remote worker can feel isolating, but it's also a profound opportunity. You are untethered from a corporate-mandated social circle, free to build a network that truly reflects your professional ambitions and personal passions. The key is to stop waiting for connections to happen and start actively creating the conditions for them to emerge.
It's not about being an extrovert or a master schmoozer. It’s about being consistent, curious, and generous. It's about showing up in the same places, exploring your hobbies, offering help, and following up with intention. By doing this, you're not just networking; you're weaving yourself into the very fabric of your new city. You are building the architecture for serendipity, ensuring that your next big opportunity—be it a new friend, a new client, or a new career path—is just one chance encounter away.
Now it's your turn. What's one tip that has worked for you when building a network from scratch? Share your experience in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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