Attending networking events, in my view 👓 is the best low-cost way to build your business, however, beware 🤷♀️ all networking groups are not equal. You are wise to do your research about any networking groups you are referred to. Look at things like who attends, how many, what businesses are they in, the investment in time and money (if any), and any reviews you can find.
Then attend your first meeting with an open mind and an awareness of how it is run, the attitude of the people there towards the leaders of the event, and the attendee interactions overall. Listen to your intuition, 🤔 be business savvy, as some who attend these events may not have the same agenda as you!
Do they add value with guest speakers who give away helpful information, not a sales pitch or a short workshop presentation?
How long does each person have to introduce themselves, and do they feel comfortable?
Are you told you can choose to stand up and introduce yourself, (or not if it is your first time and you just want to observe)?
Do they go somewhere after the official networking event to continue connecting?
Last Friday as one of the leaders of the Brisbane Business Networking Meetup, along with DR Liz Isenring, https://bit.ly/DrLizIsenring and Edward Zia https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardzia/, I ran a networking event with around 40 people, at the stunning Victory Offices, 900 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
While what you know is integral in creating or expanding your business, who you know is an even more important part of the process. Networking plays a crucial role in growing your brand and increasing its visibility. I am in favour of getting out there and not just meeting other people to hand over your business card with the hope of making another sale, but really connecting with people to learn more about what drives them in business, their values and ethics, what their WHY is, who they want to meet, what their challenges are and who they serve in their business. Have you heard the saying where business is concerned that ‘your net worth is your network’?
The Brisbane meetup is part of “Lassie & Ed's International Networking Community” which is about connecting like-minded winners in a kind, fun, and professional setting. At every meeting, we have top Sydney influencer Edward Zia, and others fly in from Sydney, Melbourne, and other centers to attend and spend the day in the sunny & tropical Brisbane city. You can learn more about Edward & Lassie Zia and how their business as influencers can help you to grow your business here: https://edwardzia.teachable.com/p/theawesomemarketingvault.
Friday we certainly turned it on for them. 🌅 And we always have an expert guest speaker sharing valuable insights and key business strategies
Imagine how those on the plane from Sydney ✈️ felt as they boarded leaving a grey dismal wet day early on Friday morning, all cheering excitedly as the plane pushed its way through the clouds and the skies opened up revealing our clear blue skies and sunshine!
The meeting was full of that excitement and energy with attendees genuinely happy 😊 to share their experiences, and connections to find out ways to help each of us grow our businesses and make a contribution 🙏 .
I am looking forward to reversing the process and flying 🛩 from the Gold Coast to Sydney in a couple of weeks to attend the Sydney Business Networking Meetup. Register for the next Sydney Business Networking Meetup here: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/profitable-marketing/events/284090144/ or for the next Brisbane Business Networking Meetup on Friday 3rd June here: https://www.meetup.com/profitable-marketing/events/284476395?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link
if you would like to join us to experience this “networking extraordinaire” group or reach out to me www.linkedin.com/in/karen-lynne-clark-19047515 on LinkedIn, or if you have any questions make a time for a quick 10 - 15 min chat with me here https://bit.ly/CandCo15.