Out of Office, Still in Touch: Rethinking Networking in August
I used to treat August like a networking write-off. Everyone’s away, I’d tell myself. May as well focus on admin, batch some content, maybe finally alphabetise my Google Drive.
But a couple of years ago, I got an unexpected reply to a message I’d sent weeks earlier. “Hey, just seen this, sorry, been buried. Got a bit of breathing room now if you fancy a chat?” It was mid-August. Half the office was sunning themselves in Spain, but this person? They were covering for the team, slightly bored, and very open to a proper conversation.
That was the first time I clocked it: summer isn’t a dead zone. It’s a different rhythm. One that, if you lean into it, actually works better for certain kinds of networking.
Fewer people, more space
The best thing about August? Lower traffic. Fewer emails. Less content overload. Which means your message isn’t fighting for attention in a packed inbox. A short, thoughtful nudge or check-in can feel refreshing, mainly because lots of other people don’t bother.
Conversations, not calendar chaos
Because everything slows down, you’ve got a better shot at the kind of conversation you actually enjoy. Not the rushed, agenda-filled catch-up squeezed between three Zooms: but a proper, meandering chat. The kind where someone says, “Funny you mention that…” and you end up talking about something entirely unexpected and useful.
Go off-grid (a little)
Some of the best networking I’ve done has happened outside of ‘official’ spaces. I once had a brilliant work chat while queuing for an ice cream at a summer street fair. (We’d both awkwardly recognised each other from LinkedIn and decided to go all in.) Community events, a low key drinks do, even a mate’s BBQ – they’re all fair game. And often, you’ll have a better chance of actually being remembered.
Be seen (and yes, holiday snaps count)
If you’re staying visible on LinkedIn, don’t overthink it. A quick work insight is great, but so is a photo of your hill walk, city break, or questionable sunhat. People don’t just want to know what you do: they want a sense of who you are. Sharing a bit of summer life gives others something to connect with, and often opens the door to warmer, more human conversations.
Build slower, not bigger
August isn’t the time to scale your network. It’s the time to deepen it. That might mean sending three “Saw this and thought of you” messages, or finally following up on that brilliant chat from April. Low-stakes moves, high-trust returns.
Look ahead (without pretending it’s September)
You don’t have to rev up just yet, but it’s worth planting seeds for post-summer catch-ups. “Let’s find a time in early September?” feels gentle now, but saves the scramble later. Think of it as calendar composting.
So no, August isn’t dead time. It’s quiet. And in that quiet, the smart stuff happens.