Ready, Set, Network!

[Burgo]

I'm possibly a little stranger, but I find networking events cold inpersonal and boring.

However Networking is vital to all soloists and any business for that matter.
My networking days are spent talking to others in my industry or in related industries and yes even here.

It has become an important part of my business that I am able to help others, either within my industry or those outside it. My attitude is that I have NO competition, therefore if I can help someone else achieve success then I feel great.

Several of my customers have experienced my networking by being able to contact the very person who can help them.

I view networking as not what I can get from it but what others can get from it. Its like you scratch my back and Ill ease your itch.

Occassionally those that I network with are able to pass work accross to me, but I dont rely on it, but I do enjoy being able to pass work on to those I network with. I know they appreciate it, and to me thats what counts.

[Paradigm Creative]

Hi, I'm new to solo business and new to networking. All this advice on networking is great but where do I start in relation to finding a good networking event or regular network to join. Are there networks out there that you don't have to pay to be part of? I apologise if I sound really naive, I'm just looking for the right place to start.

[Burgo]

Welcome to the best networking even of the year.

Your actually attending your first networking event and yes its a great way to get involved

[Premier Audio Visual]

Hi my name is Dan, I have been in business for a year now, but have never been to a networking event! I would love to grow my AV business but I dont know how to find out when and where these events are held.(I am based in South Australia) Also, isnt it a bit nerveracking to walk into a room full of strangers?

[kathiemt]

Hey Dan, if you check with your local council you might find out about some business networking groups that are local to you. Also check out BNI Australia - Business Networking and Business Referrals - Business Network International and Web Hosting Australia | Domain Registration | NetRegistry | Australian domain name registration, domain names and website hosting as I believe both have meetings in SA.

The Meetings Industry Association of Australia would be worth checking out and the Events & Exhibition Association - both would have great potential client bases for you.

Go armed with business cards and a story or two of clients you've assisted (some funny stories or hard luck stories and how you rescued them would be good), or if you don't have stories, just be prepared to spend 30 secs explaining what you do without it being War and Peace.

Um, something weird happened to the links I wrote above and it's put in different words, but if you hold your mouse over them you'll see they're for BNI and Leads Club.

[Premier Audio Visual]

Fantastic!!

I will try these links, and think of some things to talk about when I join some events.

Cheers!

[Jane Ahern]

For those of you looking for guidance on how to get the most out of networking from both a personal and business perspective AND enjoy it:

I attended a networking course this week run by Lisa Butler of Paragon Associates (Paragon Associates) which was excellent - very useful AND entertaining. Great way to learn all about networking and at the same time, practice networking skills. Lisa has also written a book "Networking Exposed" (see Networking Exposed for details).

Happy networking!
Jane

[MissieK]

Another place to look for networking groups is Networking World is Australia's most comprehensive resource of business networking events, networking groups and organisations and networking training for SME's and entrepreneurs. and also contact your local council. They often have groups.

Melissa

[davebirchall]

Great Thread!

It echos my experience of intensive networking over the last 12 months. I have certainly been to those events where you collect cardboard and my experience of online social networking has been greatly rewarded.... if my goal was to be pestered by recruiters from eastern Europe.

To my mind, quality networking is invaluable, but my approach is 'less is more'
I would much rather make a quality connection with someone and follow up and build a long term referral base than simply collect business cards.

You need to take time to get to know each other. Meet each other for coffee. Interview each other. Find out who their best customers are and how you can add value. If you can refer one lead, the will recipicate many times over.

Having discovered all this, I realised there is a time a place for online networking when used in tandem with coffee meetings and networking socials.

I created www.sydneynetworkers.net to allow people to network on and offline. I am hoping that a few of you will give it a go (its free). After all, your success is my success. There is also a networking event calendar where any organiser's can post events and report back with photos.

[Lisa Murray - Biz Coach]

Interestingly, I love the concept of speed networking - you have a couple of minutes to find out if you need to get to know someone further! (And you get to meet lots of people in a short timeframe...)

My goal in attending a networking event is to identify people who I'd like to build a business relationship with - I usually followup with a coffee meet-up or a telephone conversation at the very least.

This strategy seems to work pretty well and I've had some great follow-up conversations with interesting people as a result!