LOW PRICED Networking The Old Fashioned Way In Person

One morning, fifteen years ago, I sat in my car feeling anxious about walking into a chamber of commerce breakfast for the first time. But not an introvert, I was unaccustomed to entering a room full of strangers, many of whom knew each other. I considered networking as selling and thought people who 'worked a room' were nothing like me. My only goal that day was to survive and at least talk to someone within my table. I've come a long way baby.

Although it's still not in my own top ten fun things to do, I no more feel uncomfortable at business networking events. I now enter a room full of strangers looking forward to meeting some new people. I attend with a purpose...to grow my contact base and tell folks concerning the internet marketing services that Virtual Fundamentals provides.

In the fifteen years since my first Chamber breakfast meeting, life experience has taught me how valuable my contact database is. I know and embrace the net based networking opportunities via Facebook, Twitter, this website, etc. But I consider my electronic friends, followers and subscribers being an addition to my in-person relationships.

In the past, there have been just a few forms of networking events.

Joining a Chamber, a Rotary, or other membership type group whose monthly meetings were attended by small enterprises in your same geographic area and where you met others by walking up and introducing yourself or sitting at the same breakfast table.

Joining a networking group that met regularly where you were likely to provide referrals for the others in attendance, as they would for you. Often, membership was excluded to any business person in exactly the same industry (i.e. only 1 accountant, agent, attorney, etc.)

Today, online networking software provides a tremendous number of networking opportunities on a specialist and/or social level. Some groups are based on an easy shared interest such as 'business' or 'marketing' while others are more narrowly targeted such as 'entrepreneurs wearing size 8 shoes', well not really that specific, more likely social media or SEO professionals or professional photographers, etc. Meetups are usually free or very reasonably priced.

This networking channel is wonderful for anyone who feels awkward approaching several strangers. Everyone there recognizes that the purpose of the get together is to meet new people. If you don't feel comfortable joining a small business networking group, consider joining a book club meetup group, an art group, kayaking group etc. It is still a chance to extend your contact list with new people.

You can find no expensive membership fees for meetup groups and you could decide over time whether you intend to continue participating or not.

If so inclined, you can start a meetup group yourself and become the group leader. Your group could target other business owners in exactly the same industry as you or target potential customers for your business and provide them informative sessions. As a word of caution, usually do not jump too quickly on this opportunity to develop a meetup in case you are already time challenged, don't enjoy planning events or get disappointed when people RSVP but don't arrive. Many groups are left without a leader after the one who established the group can't handle the task involved.

Whatever avenue you choose to use for networking face to face (via Chambers, networking groups or meetup groups) make yourself get out of the office, smile, shake hands and take a break from the computer.

What experiences have you had with networking via meetup.com or other venues? Looking forward to your comments!

To Your Success,

Nancy