Don't be so pessimistic! :)

The problem why you don't really know those people is you probably don't try to maintain new contacts. Making new ones you're only half way there. Pick one or two and try to make them more friends than just people on the list.

The other issue is if you feel any pressure about this networking thing probably you should focus on sth else. It won't work if you treat it as a must not an experiment or hobby. That's why I'll never be a programmer :)

Hope it helps.