Coffee chats are a great way to build relationships, whether you’re networking, recruiting, or fundraising. But let’s be real, sometimes they can feel awkward or unproductive if you don’t go in with a plan. The good news? With a few simple strategies, you can make these conversations easier, more natural, and ultimately, more impactful.

Here are five ways to master the coffee chat:

1. Do Your Homework (But Keep It Light)

Before meeting up, take a few minutes to review your new connection’s background. Check out their LinkedIn, website, or recent work to get a sense of their experience and interests. This doesn’t mean memorizing their entire resume, you just need a few conversation starters that show you’ve done your due diligence. A simple “I saw you worked on [Project X]—how was that experience?” goes a long way in making the chat feel intentional and engaging.

2. Set a Clear (Yet Casual) Purpose

While coffee chats are informal, it helps to have a goal in mind. Are you looking to learn about their career path? Get insights on an industry trend? Build a professional connection? A good rule of thumb is to frame the meeting as a two-way exchange. Instead of saying, “I’d love to pick your brain,” try “I’d love to hear about your experience with [topic], and I’m happy to share what I’ve been working on as well.”

3. Have a Few Go-To Questions

Nothing’s worse than a coffee chat that stalls out after introductions. Having a few solid questions in your back pocket ensures the conversation flows naturally. Some good ones to keep in mind:

• What led you to your current role?
• What’s something exciting happening in your industry right now?
• What’s a challenge you’re currently working through?
• Who else should I connect with?

These questions keep things interesting without feeling like an interview.

4. Practice Active Listening

Good networking isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you listen. Make eye contact, nod, and engage with their responses rather than mentally planning your next point. If they mention something relatable, share a quick story or insight. The best coffee chats feel like a natural back-and-forth, not a one-sided Q&A.

5. Follow Up With Value

The chat doesn’t end when the coffee runs out. Following up is where relationships are built. Send a quick email or LinkedIn message thanking them for their time and mentioning something specific from your conversation. If possible, share something valuable, a relevant article, an introduction to someone in your network, or a follow-up thought based on your discussion. The key is to keep the connection going beyond the initial meeting.

Final Thoughts

Coffee chats don’t have to feel forced or transactional. When approached with curiosity, intention, and a little bit of prep, they become a powerful tool for growing your network, strengthening relationships, and opening doors to new opportunities.

And if you’re looking to track and manage your growing network, ContactDrive can help. Our CRM makes it easy to organize contacts, log conversations, and stay on top of follow-ups so no great connection falls through the cracks. Try it for free here!