Small actions you can take to create real trust that leads to long-term relationships with clients, referral partners, mentors, friends, and everyone else you need in your circle.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of building businesses, hosting events, running communities, and watching what actually moves the needle—it’s this:

Relationships grow businesses faster than any funnel ever will.

Not the forced kind.
Not the “Hey girl!” copy-paste cold DM kind (ew).
And definitely not the transactional, what can I get from you kind.

I’m talking about rich, high impact relationships—the kind built on trust, generosity, consistency, and real human connection.

And here’s the good news:

You don’t need grand gestures, endless coffee chats, or perfectly curated networking strategies to build them.

You build can build strong, mutually beneficial relationships in what we call, micro moments.

The small actions.
The thoughtful follow-ups.
The quiet ways you show people you actually see them.

In this post, we’re breaking down 10 micro ways you can start building richer relationships in your business today—without it feeling awkward, forced, or fake.

These are things you can do in minutes.

But when done consistently, they compound into referrals, collaborations, clients, and long-term advocates.

Let’s get into it.

Why Micro Moments Matter More Than Big Gestures

Before we dive into the list, let’s reframe something important.

Most people think relationships are built through:

• High-level masterminds
• Formal networking events
• Long connection calls

Those things can help—but they’re not the only place trust can be built, and most of us are busy running our businesses and don’t have time for formal networking, luxury dinners, or long calls every week. So let’s talk about how trust is actually built and how you can do this without ever leaving your home office (unless you want to).

Trust is built when:

• Someone feels remembered
• Someone feels acknowledged
• Someone feels supported without strings attached

And those moments are usually small.

A DM.
A comment.
A voice note.
A thoughtful follow-up weeks later when you didn’t have to reach out.

That’s where high impact relationships are born.

Why Real-Life Connections Build Trust Faster Than Content Ever Will

Online, trust has to be earned slowly. People scroll past you dozens of times before they decide you’re credible. In fact, the average sale requires 8-20+ brand touchpoints before someone will buy. 

In person, trust often forms before you even say a word.

You hear how someone talks about their work.
You see how they listen.
You see the way they dress and notice their physical presence, their smile, how carefully they listen.
You feel their clarity, confidence, and energy.

This is why so many podcast invites, partnerships, referrals, and speaking opportunities happen during or after events — not because someone pitched, but because someone was present.

Real-life connection creates context. And context creates trust. So let’s get into 10 powerful ways you can do this, starting today!

1. Send a 30-Second Voice DM

This is one of the simplest and most overlooked relationship builders—and it works every time.

A short voice message instantly feels:

• More personal
• More human
• More intentional

You don’t need to overthink it. In fact, the less polished, the better.

When to use this:

• After someone follows you
• When someone replies to a story
• After a meaningful comment exchange
• To reconnect with a past client or collaborator

What to say:

Keep it short. Keep it genuine.

“Hey [Name], I just wanted to say thanks for engaging with my post today. I really appreciated your perspective—hope you’re having a great week.”

That’s it.

No pitch.
No CTA.
No awkward segue.

You’d be shocked how many conversations, collaborations, and referrals start with a 30-second voice message that simply says, I see you.

2. Comment Thoughtfully—Not Just “Love This!”

Let’s talk about comments.

A quick “Love this!” is fine—but it doesn’t build depth.

Thoughtful comments do two things at once:

1. They strengthen your relationship with the creator
2. They increase your visibility with their audience

The key is contribution, not reaction.

Try this instead:

• Add a specific insight
• Share a related experience
• Ask a meaningful question

For example:

“This resonates so much—especially the part about consistency over intensity. I’ve noticed the same thing with my clients.”

Now you’re not just showing support—you’re building authority and connection at the same time.

Depth beats volume every time.

4. Remember the Small Stuff

This one sounds obvious—but it’s rare in practice. I’d ask yourself, “When was the last time I received a message like this?” The answer is probably…”I don’t remember.” Which is exactly our point.

Most people only reach out when:

• They want something
• They’re launching something
• They need help

Rich relationships are built when you show up in the in-between moments.

What to remember:

• Birthdays
• Launch dates
• Big wins
• Hard seasons
• Transitions or changes they’ve shared publicly

A simple message like:

“Hey, I saw you launched today—cheering you on!”

Or:

“I know this season looked heavy for you. Just wanted to say I’m thinking about you.”

That kind of message lands differently—because it proves you’re paying attention.

5. Ask: “What Are You Working On Right Now?”

This is one of my favorite conversation starters because it’s:

• Open-ended
• Relevant
• Actually useful

It’s far better than, “Let me know if I can help!”

Because that puts the burden back on the other person. This kind of message is always sent with good intention but almost impossible to actually respond to.

Instead, asking what they’re working on:

• Invites them to share
• Gives you context
• Opens the door for real support

Sometimes the best relationship-building move is simply being curious.

6. Create Content That Feels Like a 1:1 Conversation

Relationships don’t only happen in DMs—they happen through content too.

When your content feels like:

• You’re talking at people
• You’re broadcasting instead of connecting

You lose the relational layer.

Instead, aim for content that feels like a private conversation made public.

How to do this:

• Use your audience’s actual language
• Speak to one person, not everyone
• Address real questions they ask you
• Share context, not just conclusions

Bonus points if you:

• Use polls
• Ask questions
• Invite replies instead of pushing links

Content that invites conversation builds parasocial trust—which often turns into real relationships over time.

7. Surprise Someone With a Shoutout or Referral

This strategy can help you build relationship equity fast.

A surprise shoutout or referral says:

• I trust you
• I value your work
• I’m willing to put my reputation behind you

And that’s powerful.

Ways to do this:

• Recommend someone in a DM
• Tag them when someone asks for a referral
• Mention them on a podcast or live
• Connect two people who should know each other

Here’s the rule: Give first. Expect nothing.

That generosity almost always comes back—but even when it doesn’t, you’ve strengthened your reputation as a connector.

8. Invite, Don’t Just Announce When You Sell Your Offer

This is a subtle shift that makes a huge difference when building relationships with potential clients.

Instead of:

“I launched a new offer—link in bio!”

Try:

“Hey, I’ve been thinking about you since I saw your post on X. Would you want early access?”
“Want me to send you the details?”
“Curious if this would be helpful for you?”

Invitations feel personal.
Announcements feel broadcasted.

When you invite someone into something, you’re turning a launch into a conversation—and conversations build relationships.

9. Follow Up Without a Pitch

This one might be uncomfortable at first—but it’s gold. When you’ve shared your offer with someone, especially if they’ve asked you questions about working with you and then they just…don’t buy, the best thing you can do is continue to build the relationship and continue to follow up!

Following up without selling:

• Builds trust
• Signals long-term thinking
• Separates you from transactional networking

Try this:

One to two weeks after a conversation, reach out and say:

“Hey, I was thinking about you—how did that launch/conversation/project turn out?”

That’s it.

No link.
No offer.
No angle.

Most people don’t do this—which is exactly why it stands out.

10. Celebrate Their Wins Like They’re Yours

This might be the most underrated relationship builder of all.

When someone wins:

• Comment publicly
• Send a private message
• Share their announcement
• Drop a voice note celebrating them

People don’t forget who showed up for them in moments of success.

And when you celebrate others generously, you become someone people want to keep close.

The Real Secret: Consistency Over Intensity

You don’t need to do all 10 of these every day or every week. And maybe some of them don’t feel like your vibe, and that’s completely okay,

You just need to do a few of them consistently.

Relationships aren’t built in a week. They’re built through repeated, low-pressure touch points over time and work best when you take the time to thoughtfully listen and get to know the human on the other end of the DM or the screen.

Your action step:

Pick two micro moves from this list.
Do them today.
Repeat tomorrow.
Watch what happens over the next 30, 60, 90 days.

That’s how trust compounds.
That’s how opportunities open.
That’s how businesses grow—sustainably.

Final Thoughts: Relationships Are the Strategy

If you’ve ever felt burned out by:

• Performative networking
• Constant pitching
• Chasing visibility without connection

This is your reminder:

You don’t need to be louder—you need to be more relational.

The richest businesses aren’t built on hacks.
They’re built on people who trust you, refer you, advocate for you, and want to grow alongside you.

And that starts with how you show up in the smallest moments.

So go send the DM.
Leave the thoughtful comment.
Celebrate someone’s win.

And keep building relationships that actually last.