Community Day 11: Finding Networking Opportunities
Today’s community question about finding networking opportunities.
This is more along the lines of the beginner who is getting started with networking, IMHO (in my humble opinion). I know that when I first got started I didn’t even know what a networking opportunity was.
Now I think that a networking opportunity is something along the lines of something that:
- Connects me with someone who can help me develop my business.
- Connects me with a group of people who will promote or help the growth of my business.
- Puts me in a situation where I can help promote people who I am networked to.
I suppose it is about keeping your eyes open and being ready for oncoming networking opportunities.
But I want to hear from all of you. How do you find networking opportunities?
It easier than ever to find networking opportunities, thanks to recent digital media developments.
Social and professional networking platforms, Google and Twitter do not only provide a wide range of options, but also carry a lot of information about option (users) interests, preferences, professional backgrounds, etc. This makes it much easier to qualify your prospects.
There is simply no media on earth that offers this level of transparency. This comes with its challenges. You need to be patient and very careful during your networking selection process. The internet is not regulated. You will have to spend some time in finding the right fit.
If you are new to this, I’d suggest starting using sites like linked in and Facebook and join groups who share your interest and passion. Listen to your customers, friends and current business associates to keep abreast of market developments. They can offer invaluable feedback.
Finding networking opportunities – keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
“Connects me with someone who can help me develop my business” – I have joined several on-line and off-line groups that are specific to business development and growth. Again, define goals, vision and mission to get the most from these kinds of groups.
“Connects me with a group of people who will promote or help the growth of my business”. This area requires detailed definition of your goals, plans and vision, too. Obviously, maybe not, by defining what you need will allow you to recognize who can help you the most.
“Puts me in a situation where I can help promote people who I am networked to”. BNI is a great opportunity; do your homework and join a group that makes sense for you and your business, your goals and vision.
That is a tough one to answer from a novice standpoint. I didn’t really get the true meaning of networking until I began to really work it. I started by talking with my sister about starting my own business, and she had a friend that was a BNI member. It wasn’t until about a year later that I got serious about going out on my own full-time, and BNI was the first place I went. I didn’t know anybody local that was a member, so found someone on the BNI website and visited a chapter. The networking education and experience I have gotten through BNI has made all the difference in the world and in my perception of networking. Once you begin the education process, the sky is the limit!! The next step is in determining your strategy on what is most productive and what you hope to achieve from your time invested.