Coffee Chats 101: What to talk about, how to ask for one, and what to avoid.
Rachel Meltzer
In 2024, I did 36 coffee chats.
And I've mentioned this in my guest workshops and in passing to so many of you. But I almost always get asked, "Wait... what's a coffee chat?" or "Why are you doing coffee chats??"
So here's your mini guide to coffee chats plus my agenda for coffee chats so you can nail your next one.
☕️ What's a coffee chat?
A virtual (or sometimes in person) coffee chat is an informal video call (I use Google Meet) where professionals connect to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations. It’s a casual way to network, build relationships, and learn.
🤷🏻♀️ Why you might want to do a coffee chat...
I love coffee chats because they allow me to:
- make new friends
- show my personality, expertise, and voice quickly and easily
- find ways to collaborate with my peers
- get more referrals
- get new clients
- learn new things
🙏 Coffee chat etiquette
Okay so coffee chats are NOT discovery calls.
Coffee chats are informal networking calls. So you're there to make friends and share how you can help EACH OTHER. Not a space to pitch your services.
If you want my coffee chat agenda and the questions I love to ask, just keep scrolling!
🗓️ How to get coffee chats on your schedule:
1️⃣ DM someone you want to chat with Can't think of what to say off the top of your head? Here's an easy template you can use: “Hey! I’m setting up coffee chats with my connections to get to know other [descriptor: freelancers, digital marketers, etc.] in my [niche, industry, etc.]! – do you want to chat sometime?”
2️⃣ Share your availability I use cal.com to share my availability for coffee chats. I usually offer 20-30 minutes. I only do 1 coffee chat per week, usually on Thursdays, so that they don't take up too much of my time.
3️⃣ Read up Learn more about the person you're coffee chatting with so you can ask good questions and suggest ways you can collaborate. I usually do this 5-10 minutes before our chat starts.
📋 Coffee Chat Agenda for Freelancers
Here’s how I usually try to structure my coffee chats. I’m not strict about the agenda. It’s a casual conversation, so I like to let it flow! But this can help calm your nerves and remember to talk about the things you intended to.
- Introductions (5 minutes)
- Share a little about your background, expertise, and what you’re currently working on.
- Get to know the other person’s experience, specialty, and challenges.
- Chit Chat (10 minutes)
- Follow the conversation or ask a few coffee chat questions.
- Collaborative Opportunities (10 minutes)
- Talk about what types of clients or projects each of you is looking for.
- Explore potential areas to collaborate, whether on projects, referrals, or co-marketing efforts.
- Challenges and Problem-Solving (5 minutes)
- Discuss common challenges you’re facing in freelancing or digital marketing.
- Share advice or solutions that have worked for you.
- Wrap-up and Next Steps (5 minutes)
- Exchange contact info, agree on any follow-up actions (e.g., sharing resources, collaborating), and thank each other for the chat.
- Set the tone for staying in touch for future opportunities.
❓ Coffee Chat Questions
Pick a few questions you might want to ask during the coffee chat if you want to have some ready!
- Background & Experience:
- How did you get started as a freelance digital marketer?
- What’s your area of focus or specialization within digital marketing?
- What’s been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on?
- Industry Insights:
- What trends or changes in digital marketing are you most excited about right now?
- What tools or platforms have been game-changers for you in your work?
- How do you stay updated on industry news and developments?
- Business Growth & Challenges:
- How do you find clients? Do you rely on referrals, cold outreach, or something else?
- What has been your biggest challenge as a freelancer, and how have you overcome it?
- How do you manage your work-life balance as a freelancer?
- Collaboration & Networking:
- Are there any areas where you’d be open to collaborating with other freelancers?
- Have you ever teamed up with other freelancers or agencies on projects? How did that go?
- What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out as a freelancer?
- Future Plans & Next Steps:
- Where do you see your freelance business in the next 1-2 years?
- What skills or services are you looking to develop or expand on?
- How can we stay in touch and support each other moving forward?
- Personal questions
- What are you excited about right now?
- Is there anything you’ve been working toward lately that’s finally coming to furition?
- What’s your goal for the next 6 months?