In a group of 10,000 you're an audience member; in a group of ten you're a person. Show up consistently in one small group.
The idea
After two decades of building companies and communities, I've noticed the people with the strongest networks found one corner of the room and stayed there. Online, the giant Facebook groups are going quiet while the real conversation moves to group chats, small Slacks and Discords. In a small group, people remember your kid's name and notice when you go quiet. Cheers logic: everybody knew your name. Relationship building is 1:few.
How to do it
Audit your rooms. Which of your communities, online and off, actually know you?
Pick your corner. One small group you can show up to consistently, small enough that your absence gets noticed.
Skip the big stuff without apologizing. Declining the ballroom to invest in your corner is strategy.
Go deeper with who's already there. Ask a better question this week. Share something real.
Example
I've stopped paying attention to Facebook, deleted Instagram from my phone and lost interest in X. My half dozen small groups are another story. At a conference, the same rule applies: find the three people in the corner talking about something you care about, and they're the ones who'll remember you six months later.
Join a Community: Find a group where people would notice if you stopped showing up, and skip any where the first question is "what's your ideal client?"
Tiny Group Chats: Start a small private group chat the moment you connect with a few people, give it a specific name, and keep it no-pressure.
T-Shaped Events: Give quick genuine hellos across the room, then go deep with one or two people you picked in advance.
Depth Over Breadth: A network's strength is how many people would form a human chain around you when you're down, so go deeper with the people you already know.