Networking is a marketing activity you need to do in business.
Do it regularly and frequently especially when you have a startup business. Should you expect to get leads from it right away? Yes and no.
Here are two stories. Deanne Kelleher of Kaos Group has talked about getting business from someone 8 years after she met them while networking. Instant gratification? Nope.
Laurie Bell of Moving Seniors With a Smile has talked about going to LOTS of networking events to talk about her business when it was new. Does she go to as many now? No – she doesn’t need to. Does she still go? Yes – to continue to be known.
What is your main reason for networking?
The first thing you need to do is think about your business and what you want to get out of attending the event. Decide whether you want to:
- meet new people
- promote your business
- promote a particular product, service or workshop
- get seen everywhere
- check out the network to see if you can speak at it
- hear a particular speaker
- learn about a topic you’ve been studying
- connect with others in the same situation as you
- get a solution to a problem you have in business
- or just get out of the house!
In order to do any of these (except the last one) you need to know your target market.
I’ve written two other posts you should read as well “11 Characteristics of a Network” and “How to Choose the Right Network for You”. This one should be the first one you read.
To sum up
- decide why you’re going (this post gives you several reasons)
- review what characteristics are important to you in a network (Read my post called 11 Characteristics of a network)
- choose the right network for you (Read my post called How to choose the right network for you)
Does that help? Do you know why you’re going now?
To repeat – go to more than one session of a group. You can’t judge after just one visit.
Originally posted March 18, 2015