Skip to content 
In this energizing mastermind session, Karissa Kobylecky of Damn Good Marketing shares the exact strategies that helped her generate nearly $180,000 in revenue through networking alone. From closing her first client in 29 days to building recurring revenue through AI and automation, Karissa lays out a practical roadmap for agency owners looking to turn connections into clients.
Whether you’re just starting your agency or scaling past six figures, this guide will help you leverage networking as your #1 growth engine without spending a dime on paid ads.
Consistency Is the Foundation of High-Value Networking
Karissa’s lead gen strategy begins and ends with one word: consistency.
“The more consistent you are with attending networking groups, the better your connections will be and that leads to referrals.”
She credits groups like BNI (Business Network International) with jumpstarting her agency’s growth. In fact, her first full year in BNI generated over $80,000 in revenue, just from referrals.
Why consistency matters:
- Builds trust and familiarity
- Trains your network to send you ideal clients
- Keeps you top-of-mind when opportunities arise
- Connects you to other marketers for shared tools, tips, and even partnerships
Creative Positioning: Be the One They Remember
Networking isn’t just about showing up. It’s about standing out.
Karissa and her team wore bright pink suits to a large women’s conference, making follow-ups easier: “We were the people in the pink suits!”
She recommends:
- Wearing unique or thematic outfits at large events
- Using digital business cards (you land in their phone instantly)
- Hosting self-selling AI demos that engage leads and collect contact info on the spot (example check out Closebot.ai)
“What’s going to be your identifier that gets people to remember you?”
Pro tip: Use tools like HighLevel to build branded funnels where prospects can try your AI assistant or automated follow-up flow right on their phones. It’s memorable and valuable.
Hosting Your Own Events = Instant Authority
When traditional networking started to feel stale, Karissa created her own group: LinkUp Local.
- Monthly happy hours with icebreaker games
- Intimate “Latte Linkups” at coffee shops
- Color-coded name tags by industry for targeted networking
This gave her control over the format and allowed her to design a networking experience around her ideal clients. Plus, it positioned her as a community connector and expert.
“If you feel like BNI or your Chamber is saturated with marketers, start your own. You get to control it and you’re the expert in the room.”
Turn Conversations Into Revenue with Tiered Offers
Karissa’s agency doesn’t just generate leads it converts them using a three-tier model built for recurring revenue.
Her Tiered Pricing Framework:
- Tier 1: Lead Generation Only
- Ads, SEO, social media via That Company
- Tier 2: Lead Gen + Follow-Up Automation
- HighLevel workflows, text/email sequences, reactivation campaigns
- Tier 3: Full AI Integration
- Closebot.ai appointment setters
- Conversational AI that books meetings and handles objections
“My AI bots don’t take bathroom breaks they work 24/7.”
Each tier serves a specific type of client, and all include high-margin recurring services. By showing all three tiers on her proposals, Karissa helps clients see the value jump as they move up in pricing.
Sample Pricing (Based on Her Model):
- HighLevel access: $397–$497/month
- AI bots: Add ~$400/month (depending on number of campaigns)
- Total client revenue: Several thousand per month
- Total platform cost: Flat $497 → High profit margin
Bonus Tip: Customize and Upsell with Confidence
Karissa crafts detailed, video-enhanced proposals that explain:
- What’s being offered
- Why it’s needed (based on sales call insights)
- How the tools integrate
- Examples of the AI or CRM in action
She books follow-up demos during the sales process to show clients exactly what they’re getting.
“If the business owner is doing the follow-up themselves, you know there’s a huge opportunity to sell AI or automation.”
She even offers white-labeled solutions under her sub-brand “Damn Good Solutions,” allowing her to expand without diluting her core agency brand.
Key Takeaways From Karissa’s Networking Strategy
- You don’t need ads to grow your agency. Karissa built her client base 100% through networking.
- BNI is a high-ROI starting point. Look for chapters without a digital marketer referrals are gold.
- Differentiate or disappear. Whether it’s colorful outfits, demos, or follow-up automation be memorable.
- Scale with tech. HighLevel and Closebot.ai helped Karissa add thousands in MRR with minimal effort.
- Tier your offers. Use a “Goldilocks” structure to upsell naturally and improve retention.
Final Thoughts: Network Smarter, Not Just Harder
Karissa’s story is proof that you don’t need a massive ad budget to scale. By showing up consistently, positioning yourself creatively, and backing it all up with tech-powered offers, you can turn handshakes into high-ticket clients.
If you’re a white label agency partner with That Company, you already have the lead gen engine in place. Layer in these networking and automation strategies to maximize close rates and revenue.
Want more trainings like this?
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for mastermind replays.
Or contact us to see how we can take the sales/fulfilment work off your plate so you can focus on networking.
