One morning, fifteen years back, I sat in my car feeling anxious about walking into a chamber of commerce breakfast for the first time. But more info , I was unaccustomed to entering an area full of strangers, many of whom knew one another. website considered networking as selling and thought individuals who 'worked a room' were nothing beats me. My only goal that day was to survive and at least talk to someone at my table. I've come quite a distance baby.Although it's still not in my own top ten fun things you can do, I no more feel uncomfortable at business networking events. I now enter an area full of strangers looking forward to meeting some new people. I attend with an objective...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 blog, 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 types 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 expected to provide referrals for the others in attendance, because they would for you personally. Often, membership was excluded to any other business person in the same industry (i.e. only 1 accountant, real estate agent, attorney, etc.)Today, online networking software offers a tremendous number of networking opportunities on a professional and/or social level. Some groups are based on a broad shared interest such as 'business' or 'marketing' while others tend to be more narrowly targeted such as for example 'entrepreneurs wearing size 8 shoes', well not really that specific, more likely social media or SEO professionals or professional photographers, etc. Meetups are often free or very affordable.This networking channel is wonderful for anybody who feels awkward approaching a group of strangers. Everyone there recognizes that the goal 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 really is still a chance to extend your contact list with new people.There are no expensive membership fees for meetup groups and you could decide as time passes whether you wish 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 the same industry as you or target potential customers for your business and offer 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 perhaps you have had with networking via meetup.com or other venues? Looking forward to your comments!To Your Success,Nancy