I’m a newbie to networking. With a new business to promote (Firebrand Communications), I’m on the prowl for clients. So I’ve been going to various groups and working on my “elevator speech.” No great gigs for me yet, but I’ve seen some of my friends hook up, work-wise. Other people, veterans of the networking circuit, tell me it just takes time.
Here’s what I’ve figured out so far:
– Some groups are really focused, others are a waste of the gas, coffee and bagel it took to get you there.
– Showering your biz cards on a roomful of people who are trying to pitch you is pretty much worthless.
– It’s all about who ya know. Six degrees of separation, and all that.
Speaking of which, through a contact at one of my groups, I met Pam Costa, owner of Word of Mouth Networking and Referrals Inc. This chick knows how to do it. We met for coffee, then she let me hang with her and her friend/client Wendie K., owner of Little Red’s Cleaning, as they worked the crowd at a business expo at the Citrus Club. Did I say she was good? Oh, man. She managed to make friends with half the people in the room, mainly by being interested in what they had to say…. and oh, by the way, this is what I do and let me know how I can help you. The insight: People do business with people they like, not with strangers. If you want more business, be more of a friend. Her other tips she kept to herself — though she can teach people how to network… for a well-deserved fee, of course.
So here’s the question for you: Do you go to networking groups? Why or why not? What networking techniques/groups work for you — and which do not? Do you know someone who does it well? I want to hear your networking advice and stories!
