You just had an amazing time at a Charlotte Together event. The conversations flowed, you laughed until your cheeks hurt, and you genuinely connected with some really cool people. But now you're home, and that little voice in your head is asking: "Okay, what happens next?"
If you're wondering how to turn those great conversations into real friendships, you're not alone. This is actually the moment where most people get stuck. But here's the thing — with just a few simple moves, you can be the person who turns event connections into lasting Charlotte friendships.
The Magic 24-Hour Window
Here's what most people don't realize: there's a sweet spot for following up, and it's within 24 hours. Not because you need to seem eager, but because you want to reach out while the conversation is still fresh in both of your minds.
The key is being specific about something you talked about. Here are some examples that actually work:
"Hey Sarah! Great meeting you at game night last night. You mentioned you're new to South End — I'm grabbing coffee at Not Just Coffee Saturday morning if you want to join and I can show you around the neighborhood!"
"Hi Mike! Loved our conversation about hiking trails. There's a group doing the Whitewater Center trails this Sunday morning — totally your speed based on what you were saying. Want to join?"
"Hey Jessica! Thanks for the book recommendation! I'm planning to check out that new bookstore in NoDa you mentioned this week. Coffee after? I'd love to hear more about your writing."
Notice what makes these work? They're personal, specific, and low-pressure. You're not just saying "we should hang out sometime" — you're creating an actual plan that connects to something real you both care about.
Jump Into Our Discord Community
Here's where Charlotte Together gets really special. Our Discord isn't just another group chat — it's where the real magic happens between events.
Think of it as your Charlotte friend group that's always there. Someone's always planning something, sharing a great restaurant find, or just having a good conversation about life in the Queen City.
Here's how to make Discord work for you:
- Share a highlight from the event you just attended
- Ask for recommendations (seriously, our community knows all the best spots)
- Create mini-plans: "Anyone want to check out the new coffee shop in Plaza Midwood tomorrow?"
- Celebrate wins: "Just tried that taco place y'all recommended — incredible!"
The best part? You can get to know people better in smaller conversations, which makes the next event feel like hanging out with friends instead of meeting strangers all over again.
Join our Discord community here — we promise it's the friendliest corner of the internet.
The Secret to Building Real Friendships: Show Up Again
Want to know the real secret to adult friendships? Consistency.
Most people think making friends is about that perfect first conversation, but actually, it's about becoming a familiar face. There's something beautiful about walking into an event and seeing people you know, having inside jokes, being part of the group.
Try our 3-Event Challenge: Pick one recurring event and commit to going three times. By the third time, you'll notice something amazing — the conversations feel natural, people remember you, and you feel like you belong instead of feeling like "the new person."
Our favorite recurring events for building friendships:
- Weekly Game Nights (rotating between Hi-Wire Brewing, Seoul Food Meat Co., and Urban District Market)
- Saturday Morning Coffee Club in different neighborhoods each week
- Monthly Outdoor Adventures and hiking groups
- Creative Workshops where you make something beautiful and meet amazing people
Check out what's coming up on our events calendar and pick your next adventure.
From Group Events to Coffee Dates
Once you've connected with someone at one of our bigger events, the next step is creating those smaller moments where real friendship happens.
The best mini-hangouts feel natural and connect to something you both enjoy. Here are some ideas that work every time:
- "Want to check out that farmers market in South End you mentioned?"
- "Coffee at that spot you recommended in Plaza Midwood?"
- "There's a gallery walk in NoDa Friday night — want to explore together?"
The formula that never fails:
- Reference something specific from your conversation
- Suggest a real plan with time and place
- Keep it light: "No worries if you can't make it, but I thought you'd enjoy this!"
Your Simple Action Plan
Sometimes it helps to have a roadmap. Here's exactly what to do:
Within 24 hours: Send one follow-up message to someone you connected with (use the examples above as inspiration)
Within 1 week: Make specific plans with 1-2 people you met
Within 2 weeks: Show up to another Charlotte Together event (bonus points if it's the same recurring event)
That's it. Simple, doable, and incredibly effective.
Keep the Connection Going
The beautiful thing about Charlotte Together is that we're building something bigger than just events — we're creating a real community where showing up feels like coming home.
📷 Follow us on Instagram to see event highlights and get inspired by the amazing connections happening in our community.
💬 Join the ongoing conversation in our Discord where friendships grow every day between events.
💡 Want more friendship-building strategies? Check out how to make friends in Charlotte as an adult and how to build confidence at events.
Ready to turn your next event connection into a real Charlotte friendship? Your people are waiting — come find them at our next event. RSVP for something that sounds fun and let's make it happen together.
