Venues for Effective Networking

Venues for Effective Networking

• Coffee networking ~ Meet a stranger for coffee and leave with a new friend. Or invite a prospect to coffee and then for a follow up, invite a prospect for him or her
• Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours ~ There is one every second Tuesday. Remember it’s easy to hang out with people you know; have a goal to meet six strangers at every event.
• Networking Club ~ Chambers of Commerce Leads Groups, BNI, LeTip, Mastermind Business Networking luncheon, LinkeIn… The more you attend, the more you get known, grow, and succeed in your market.  Success Hint: Start your own group 
• Trade Shows ~ Industry specific shows, general business shows and Chamber expos are excellent places to get known, get sales, and get ahead. Success Hint: Don’t just attend the Trade Show; conduct a workshop
• Health Club ~ healthy and wealthy: network and exercise.
• Outdoors ~ (We sit about 9.4 hours a day.) Skip the conference room and meet the stranger at the gym. Take a walk or a bike ride. Share a bucket of balls. Nice shot!
• Get involved with a charity or be a community volunteer
• Chamber of Commerce Committee or Event ~ Coffee Connections, advisors meetings, young professional’s network, women’s network, old guy network (checking to see if you are paying attention), committee meetings, golf outing, annual dinner, ribbon cuttings. The Chamber of Commerce is your best local networking resource, IF you take advantage of it. Success Hint: Be a committee chair. (I get to choose speakers for one committee.)
• Pub or Saddle up Saloon ~ network and have fun. Meet a stranger at your favorite pub and leave with a new friend. Or invite a prospect to watch part of a televised game of their favorite team; and then for a follow up, invite a prospect for him or her
• A Civic Organization ~ Knights, Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Elks, Moose, and Lions. Oh My! Any civic animal will do. Success Hint: Be a leader not just a member. BONUS: Some places you get to sing before lunch!
• Park District or Traveling Sports ~ Parents of your children’s friends. You may meet a prospect whose kid plays ball in the same league as your kid; you’ll have an edge to make him a customer.

There are dozens of cool networking venues. What kinds of networking events or places work the best for you?