Business owners all network but which ones are right for you?
We business owners all do it. It’s one of the best ways to get you and your business known. You can do it anywhere – at formal networks, conferences, workshops, or in line at the bank or grocery store.
One of my clients was at a dental appointment. The receptionist made a comment about liking her purse and asked where she got it. She said it was something she sold and that she would get one for the her. She hurried home (fortunately nearby) after her appointment and came back with one for the woman. What profitable networking!
All of the women I interviewed in the past for blog posts , I’ve met networking. It really works.
But this post is about finding the right networking groups for you. In a previous one I described the 11 Characteristics of a Network. Read that one first. Then this is the next step after that one.
What should you know?
There are several questions to ask about a network to see if it’s one that you like, resonate with, and has your ideal client in it.
But before you begin this process you need to answer these three questions: Who is my ideal client and target market?, What is the outcome that I want at this event? and What do I want people to do as a result of meeting me?
Now you’re ready to ask yourself the following questions.
- Who referred you to this network? Was it someone you know well and trust? Have they gone to it? What did they say about it?
- Does this network demonstrate the values that you have?
- What is the organizer like? We know that we attract people like ourselves. Be sure your values are similar to his or hers.
- Has it come up often in conversation with other business owners as a network you should attend?
- How many of the characteristics in my post 11 Characteristics of a network meet your criteria? One? Two? Several?
- What is the purpose that the owner has? Do they want to connect you with lots of others? Are they interested in helping you get to know people? Are they just doing it to make a substantial profit?
Now go to a meeting. How do you feel about it? Trust your gut. No matter whether you’ve checked off all the boxes and decided it’s right for you, you don’t know until you’ve attended in person.
I had my own network which I held for seven years for women solopreneurs and I was often asked by attendees which other networks I’d suggest. I always asked them the same question – Who is your target market?
What networking groups do you already attend?
Write your comment and let everyone know which ones you attend and why.
Originally posted February 9, 2015
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