If your plan is to hit our networking group, gather cards, move on to the next group; you’re missing out on the beauty of networking. 

It’s a proven fact that people prefer to do business with people they know. It takes time for people to get to know you and your business.  If all you do is gather cards without forming connections, networking groups won’t work for you.  By repeatedly attending a networking group, you’ll be “top of mind” when other people in the group need your service, or hear of others in need of your service.

Guests and referrals are the lifeblood of networking.  Bringing guests and passing referrals are critical to the success of a group and its members.  Each new guest adds a fresh perspective to the group, injecting new ideas and opening doors to new contacts.   Referrals show you just how valuable the group can be to your business.  Additionally, the best way to get a referral is to give one.  When you actively work on helping others in the group by using their services or referring them to others, it comes back to you.

Set-up Those One on Ones:  Introductions take place in the 30 second presentations at the meeting, but to make the most out of your networking connections, you need to have one on ones with others in the group.  During the one on ones you’ll learn a lot more than you can during a 30 second intro.  During these meetings you’ll learn more about each others business philosophies, target markets, goals, services, and more.