Business Networking
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 1:34 am
Do you sometimes feel like you're on a networking frenzy - bopping from one event to another hoping to make that "right" connection and make a sale? Well, successful networking is more than attending a dozen events every month. Instead just pick a few that you can commit to and then invest your time to leverage it fully. The question, of course, is how to pick the right networking groups and events.
So how do you go about selecting the right networking group to join or the right event to attend?
Here are some key criteria to consider:
A) The Mix of Attendees
The most important question you should ask yourself is whether the people who attend the meetings are a good fit for you. Specifically, ask yourself the following questions:
• Are they people you connect with
• Do they share or service your target market
• Can you comfortably pass referrals to them
• Do you have anything in common with enough of the other members
• Does the group fit your style - professional, casual, educational, fun etc.
B) Convenience
The second most important criterion is whether the meeting times and locations are convenient -- because if they aren't, you're unlikely to attend regularly enough to reap the benefits. Consider these questions:
• Is the location easy to get to
• Is the day or time one that allows you to attend consistently
So how do you go about selecting the right networking group to join or the right event to attend?
Here are some key criteria to consider:
A) The Mix of Attendees
The most important question you should ask yourself is whether the people who attend the meetings are a good fit for you. Specifically, ask yourself the following questions:
• Are they people you connect with
• Do they share or service your target market
• Can you comfortably pass referrals to them
• Do you have anything in common with enough of the other members
• Does the group fit your style - professional, casual, educational, fun etc.
B) Convenience
The second most important criterion is whether the meeting times and locations are convenient -- because if they aren't, you're unlikely to attend regularly enough to reap the benefits. Consider these questions:
• Is the location easy to get to
• Is the day or time one that allows you to attend consistently