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INSIGHTS

THE UNFAIR
ADVANTAGE
VAULT

Where “go network” and “just be yourself” become a real strategy.

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It's called

Shootin' the Shit

But it’s not small talk. It’s hilarious stories. Real strategy you can actually use.

And the quiet part said out loud. So you can stop feeling awkward, stop shrinking, and start making real connections…as your real human self.

If you care about influence, leverage, and building a career that actually moves, this belongs in your inbox.

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Networking
Resources

KVB's Copy of JB - The List Yourself Approach

APPROACH

The Anti–“So… What Do You Do?” Method

Most people show up to networking events as bullet points.

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    Job title

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    Company name

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    Industry jargon

No wonder it’s awkward.

The List Yourself Approach flips it. Instead of leading with what you do, you lead with what makes you human.

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    What shaped you

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    What lights you up

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    What stories you carry

This simple set of prompts has helped thousands of people stop sounding scripted and start showing up as human.

Because people don’t connect with resumes. They connect with stories. Personality. Vulnerability.

That’s networking that actually works.

KVB Copy of JB THE AWKWARD TRUTH ABOUT NETWORKING

THE AWKWARD
TRUTH
ABOUT

NETWORKING

What Hundreds of Professionals Taught Us About Anxiety, Opportunity, and Career Growth

Here’s what your people aren’t saying out loud:

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    They feel awkward.

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    They feel anxious.

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    And they still want to connect.

Networking drives career growth — but most people were never taught how to do it well.

This white paper breaks down what professionals are actually feeling, what the research says about salary growth, and how to turn emotional friction into a strategic advantage.

If you care about engagement, collaboration, leadership pipelines, or conference ROI… this is your download.

Smart. Research-backed. Slightly rebellious.

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This Shit Works the Podcast

Networking Advice That Actually Works

This Sh!t Works is 200+ episodes of:

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    Networking that doesn’t feel awkward

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    Career strategy without the corporate buzzwords

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    Confidence without pretending

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    Real stories from the trenches

It’s basically sitting across from me at a bar in Boston while I tell you what actually works — with research, receipts, and a few well-placed F-bombs.

And yes… there are some very special guests. Brilliant founders. Bold leaders. People who’ve built real careers through real relationships. No highlight-reel nonsense.

We talk strategy, stories, and connection for people ready to be human in their relationships.

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Julie's

VIDEOS

This Shit Works!

(I didn’t write a book called This Sh!t Doesn’t Work.)

"You can feel her energy through her writing and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions!"

I didn’t spend 25+ years building $500M+ in opportunities to write fluff. This is the real playbook.

No fake scripts. Just the actual behaviors that move you from:

Unknown Trusted
Awkward Influential
Invisible Unforgettable

Book 1
_This Sh!t Works_ is a must-read for anyone who's ever died a little inside as they entered a room wearing a name tag._ —TERRI TRESPICIO, Writer, Speaker, and Brand Advisor_

So you can create a network of people who happily refer you to new clients, take your call at any hour of the day or night, and maybe even end up bungee jumping with you in South Africa (yes, really).

The book reads like your best friend giving you the networking advice no one else will. People message me years later saying, “I still use this.”

Because it’s not theory. It’s a use-it-and-watch-what-happens book.

And yes. This Sh!t Works.

Why Julie
HASN’T

Been on The Today Show Yet

Julie has not yet been invited to appear on The Today Show.

Our working theory is that you can’t say “shit” on network television.

Also, if Julie actually answered questions honestly about networking, career success, and how jobs really get filled… some people in very expensive suits might get uncomfortable.

So until that call from NBC comes through, here’s the interview that probably won’t air on morning television. But should.

Question: Julie, what do most people get wrong about networking?

Pretty much everything.

We tell people networking is important… but we never teach them how it actually works. We tell people to “apply online” while quietly knowing that most opportunities never even make it to the job board.

Here’s the truth:

Question: Wait… what do you mean?

Let’s look at the math.

The average corporate job posting gets 184 applicants. An Applicant Tracking System immediately filters out about 75% of those.

That leaves 46 humans. Of those, only about 30% actually get looked at by a recruiter.

Now we’re down to 13 people. If you make it to that stage, your chance of landing an interview is about 8%.

Meanwhile… Experts estimate that 50–80% of all jobs are filled through the hidden job market. Meaning they’re filled through relationships, referrals, and conversations before they’re ever publicly posted.

Question: So networking actually matters?

It matters more than most people realize. Research consistently shows that:

  • 30–45% of hires come through employee referrals
  • Referred candidates are about 4× more likely to be hired
  • People who actively build relationships earn higher salaries over time
  • Networking is linked to both career success and career satisfaction
    Effects-of-Networking-on-Career…

This isn’t fluffy career advice. It’s how the system actually works.

Question: But isn’t networking kind of… awkward?

It can be. Mostly because most people were taught terrible networking advice.

“Work the room.” “Sell yourself.” “Collect business cards.” No wonder everyone hates it.

Networking isn’t about performing. It’s about building real relationships with real humans. And the people who do that consistently don’t just get more opportunities.

They build better careers.

Question: Does networking matter inside companies, too?

Absolutely. In fact, it might matter even more.

  • Leaders with stronger internal relationships have higher team retention.

  • Employees with deeper internal networks are more likely to advance.

  • Yet only about 20% of companies actively teach internal networking during onboarding.

Which means most professionals are left to figure out one of the most important career skills… completely on their own.

Question: If you could leave people with one takeaway, what would it be?

Connection isn’t a soft skill. It’s a power tool.

The best leaders know this. The most successful professionals practice it. And the people who build real relationships consistently end up with something incredibly valuable:

Opportunities that never show up on a job board.

Still waiting on that Today Show invitation.

Until then… Julie will just keep telling the TRUTH ABOUT NETWORKING.

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