Networking Groups

Finding the right networking groups is not always just an easy process of finding the nearest business chamber and signing up. Networking is a very complex beast which rears its presence in many different types of groups and organizations.

I know that when I got started with networking (as we briefly talked about in Friday’s community question) I didn’t really have a plan as to where I should be going to network. All I knew was that in some rough sense: networking = business. So what did I do? I “shotgunned” it and visited as many networking events as I possibly could. It was expensive and tiring to say the least! However, I have managed to slow down and target my networking a bit more (as Marvin discussed in his answer on how to differentiate an advanced networker from a novice). Now I am looking for networking groups on a fairly regular basis, but I am often looking for networking opportunities when “networking” isn’t attached to the title. “Mixers,” “Networking luncheons,” etc, don’t always prove to be great networking events for me because they are often filled with people that I’d rather buy from! I want to be in a spot where my customers are socializing. That way I’ll be more inclined to sell or make connections, than to purchase!

While we wait for the Coach to answer this question (remember that you need to be part of the mailing list in order to get the Coach’s answer to this question) what are some networking groups that you have found useful for your own networking? Post them to the comments below!