Since starting my business over a year ago, I have attended  many local networking meetings.  Typically, I will attend a meeting twice before making the decision and investment to join.  Local networking was one of the most difficult things that I had to get used, and although I still get butterflies, they are not as bad as what they used to be.  A huge part of this was having the confidence!  Now, I have it!

Some tips that I use when I attend these networking events include:

• Have enough business cards on hand

Fellow networkers really need to be able to connect with you, as well as how to connect you with others who may be interested in your products and services.   Isn’t the entire point of networking?

• Don’t even expect to sell or close any business.  If you do, fantastic!

People like to get to know fellow business owners before signing a contract.  Whether they go home to do a Google search or schedule some additional one on one time with you, it’s not in most people’s nature to just do business with someone they know absolutely nothing about.

• If you decide to join, attend as regularly as possible

Make sure that the day and time of the meetings work with your schedule.  As with number two, people want to build relationships with those that they do business with and want to know that they are reliable.

• Have one-on-one meetings

In a one or two hour networking meeting, it’s impssible to know what every one in the group does and needs for business referrals.  Schedule quality one on one’s in between the normal networking meetings to discuss services and products in detail.

• Be Respectful

Now this is probably my biggest pet peeve, and it’s something that I personally learned as a child.  When you are doing your 30-second or one minute commercial, you want to have everyone’s undivided attention, right?  So why not return the favor by giving everyone else your full attention when they are speaking.

Currently, I am an Assistant Organizer of a local networking group, North Dallas Women in Business, and I have met some of the most professional, success-minded women there.  I am also a member of a local American Business Women Association’s Express Network group.  I can now say that I look forward to networking and meeting other professionals – face to face – despite the occasional butterflies!