Networking Can Be Good For Your Business
I like networking events. I find it’s a great way to promote myself and my business. I’ve been to quite a few and I’ve found I need to limit myself to just a couple a month in order to get any work done. So I needed to pick the best ones.
The thing about networking is that they are social. That means you need to give and take. People who attend these events with the goal of sticking their business cards in everyone’s hands will not get anything out of them. So what works best for me is not just the quality of the group of people, but more importantly how well the interaction occurs. If you are with the best group of people, but never find out anything about them or them about you is does no good.
For that reason I like the ones where there’s a meal. Lunches are good because they are less expensive, but sitting around a table at any meal with 5 or 6 other people is a great way to get to know them and not just hear their 30 second “elevator speech”.
It’s been my experience that you don’t want to do business with them (although that’s not bad) as much as you want them to refer you to their contacts. No one will do that unless they know you, like you and trust you.
I also try to pick one or two people a month and invite them to meet for coffee somewhere for a one on one chat.
