Best Business Networking Strategies

There's nothing like face to face in person business networking to grow your business.  Meeting a prospect at a networking event presents an opportunity to get to know people in a relaxed environment.

A question I'm frequently asked is "What's the best strategy when networking?"  To better understand networking, let's look at the different types of networking events:

Leads groups – one member per occupation

Trade membership organizations – architects, attorneys, home builders, women business owners

Special interest events – wine, art, movies

Business chambers – local business owners

My preference in order of effectiveness is the first three types of groups.  I like leads groups because you develop deeper business relationships and have a group of professionals to refer your own clients to. I like trade organizations because I always think it's better to be one business coach or one financial advisor in a trade organization rather than competing against many others in a general networking environment. I absolutely love special interest groups because I love wine and art and if belonging to one of these groups allows me to build my business while enjoying what I love to do, so much the better. My least favorite group is a business chamber. To be effective networking at this kind of group, you will need to be on a committee or heading up some sort of special sub group, otherwise you are just one of many who belong to a chamber.  

To find out what type of group works best for you, your best bet is to visit 3-5 different groups. Many cities have a business networking web site that lists events in a calendar format.

Here are a few resources to help you network more effectively

Feel more confident when networking: Four Ways to Be a Better Networker

Don't know what to say when networking? Maybe it's time to update or Write Your 30 Second Commercial?

Suzanne Muusers

Marketing Coach for Financial Advisors

How to Market your Business and Have Fun at the Same Time - With a Pie In The Face!

Watch the video (39 seconds) and you’ll see how much fun we have growing our businesses!

If you have never tried a leads group to market your business, I strongly encourage you to do so. First a definition for you: a leads group is a networking group that allows one member per business category.

That means that if you are a Business Coach (like me) and you join a leads group, another business coach cannot join, thus protecting your interests. Tips or leads are passed in the group that can help you grow your business.

I have been a member of Le Tip North Scottsdale for close to three years and I have really enjoyed the experience. We recently had a membership drive to bring in new members. The prize was the opportunity to throw a pie in the face of the Membership Chair.

Dr. Alan Houfek, one of the winning members gleefully took the opportunity to throw the pie while other members elected to keep the pie or donate the pie to a needy family.

Our membership chair, Steve Radonich, suggested that we have a membership competition where the winner who brought in the most guests who joined our group would have an opportunity to do something we all have wanted to do at do at some point in our lives. Anyone who has ever watched the three stooges has seen them throw a pie in someone’s face. The result of our membership drive is that we brought in 12 guests with 4 joining our group. Don’t you think that’s a fun way to grow and market your business at the same time.

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