Wasting Time With Networking?

Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. That sums up the effectiveness of so many of the business networking groups. What promises to provide leads for new business is often a time-wasting event that results in little more than a pocketful of business cards you don't want.Some meet weekly, some meet monthly. The national and international groups require an annual fee, oftentimes a monthly fee and the cost of the meeting's meal. The organizers are cheerleaders for their brand and enforce rules that keep the group's momentum going but they are often so stringent the business owner must attend or have the threat of being canceled. Yes, you can get canceled from a networking group.Yet, there are some groups that have the energy and momentum everyone craves. These groups bring out the t in team, where everyone is truly interested in helping other members. They are there for the give and get, not just the "get".In today's world of social media, referrals and reviews, there isn't one of us that couldn't benefit from a little networking. Knowing what to look for before joining can make all the difference in the world. Our tips will help you divide and conquer with as little or as much time as you care to invest.5 Tips for Successful Networking

Determine your goals: What do you want to get out of networking? New business, new connections, new directions? Be quantitative as well as qualitative. Are you looking for a mentor? Sales leads? Or becoming known for being an expert in your field?
Time commitment: How much time do you have or are realistically willing to commit? Daily, weekly, monthly? If you have a lot of time, you might be interested in the in-person, weekly meetings that are held by organizations such as BNI or CEO Space. If your time is tight and it's difficult to commit scheduled time, consider joining the networking groups on Linked In. Many of the Linked In groups are national. The networking is done through conversation threads and introductions. Many hold larger (200 + people) in-person gatherings which might hit your geographic area every 3-4 months, depending on your metro area.
Give and get: The reality is that most participants' motives are to 'get something' through networking. Makes sense, right?. It might be a job, or sales, or referrals - any way you cut it, there are more people out there who are looking to 'get' more than 'give'. A smart networker is armed to do both. Before you get involved, think about what you can offer the group. What does your company or expertise bring to the party?
Effort equals results: Like anything in life, the level of effort you put in generally equals the outcome. That doesn't mean that a huge time commitment equals success. It does suggest that for every hour of time used in this way, make it concentrated and powerful. Bring your ideas and strategies to the group. Think of ways the group can help one another. Joint promotions? Giveaways? Custom-made group offers, like Groupons. Make sure you are doing more than gathering business cards and staying on the surface level of the tool. Get in there and make it work
How to find networking groups: There are several ways to find a plethora of networking groups. The 3 easiest ways to find that which will match your company goals are below. Always remember to check out the current members, reviews (if available), past meetings and goals. The beauty of online networking groups is you can join and cancel without feeling like a traitor.





Linked In: Look for the networking groups or groups with who you would like to do business.
Meetup.com: Depending on your geographic area, there are quite a few options. Search networking groups and read the descriptions carefully.
Associations for networking: Google that exact phrase and similar and it will open doors to yet another group of networking opportunities.

That's the long and the short of it. Networking can help advance your goals if planned properly and if the right groups are selected. The icing on the cake is that you will meet wonderful people who have similar interests and goals.NOTE: Social media, although a form of networking, is in a category of its own and will be covered in future blogs.