How good are networking events?

[freelancer]

I'm thinking once my new website is up I will be wanting to goto networking events around my area.

How good are they? Can you pick up work and tenders via them?

Which ones do you recommend for the yorkshire area?

 

[Jackie100]

I went to a Start up exhibition in London quite recently and took part in a lot of Speed networking. I was very hopeful that this was the best way of making contacts and getting business. Unfortunately this has not been the case. In spite of exchanging business cards with over 60 people and contacting them by email afterwards, I was disappointed by the results.

I still think that Networking has it's use and maybe my failure was due to my offer rather than the networking event.

All the best
Jackie
If you Google Business Link, you will find all the events listed for your area

 

[maidofkent]

Hi

I think networking works best when you do it with the same people, on a more regular basis.

Join a round table, a rotary, soroptemists, chamber of commerce, etc, or an organisation specific to your industry/target audience, where you will meet up together from time to time.

I know a successful building contractor, and almost his entire business is founded on contacts from his local round table. If they folded, so would he.

MoK

 

[stu54321]

A lot of people I have spoken to say that it takes time for results to come through. It's all about getting to know people so they trust you and concentrating on what you can do for others rather than going for the hard sell.

Try out a few different kinds of events and see which ones suit you, they are all different and cater for different kinds of businesses.

Regards

Stuart

 

[maidofkent]

I agree

The 'trust' word that stu mentioned is absolutely key, and it's almost impossible to build trust at just one meeting - you have to build relationships, and as he says, that takes time.

MoK

 

[Rienne]

Also agree about the trust thing, which is why speednetworking can have mixed results. Many people don't like it, but I have to say that our membership of BNI for our magazine business works wonders.

rgds
Jeff

 

[LocalBusinessChampion]

People who go to a one-off networking event, even if it's a huge event with hundreds of people, and expect instant results have missed the whole ethos of networking. You may as well go knocking on doors or cold calling - the results will be similar.

Networking is an ongoing process and is all about establishing mutually beneficial long-term relationships. The business that this process generates is often indirect, through referral and recommendation. You're effectively fuelling your word of mouth by networking consistently. Done properly, over time networking will generate an ongoing stream of business - it just takes time and dedication to get there.

The biggest lesson of all is to focus on being helpful and take a genuine interest in others. Think about what you can do for people you meet rather than what's in it for you. For example, can you introduce them to one of your contacts? Do this consistently and you'll find people start to want to help you. Gradually you will build your own network of people who know, like and trust you. They will refer you to others, creating warm leads or 'referrals' that are always far better prospects than cold leads because there's an in-built level of trust before you even meet them.

I recommend finding decent local networking groups and going regularly. Last tip - should an opportunity for business present itself, don't try to close the business at a networking event, the only goal should be to agree to meet up on a one-to-one basis outside of the networking event to take things further.

 

[telemax]

I totally agree with Localbusiness Champion. Networking has to be sustained,sometimes it takes a year to get business this way, the key is to just try and help people and advise. Rather than just try to sell at the events

 

[freelancer]

Thanks everyone. From what I gather it sounds like a forum. You join, and must earn credibility, and then yes you may get some good contacts and tenders through it.

Thanks for the tips

 

[HSLS]

Hi, I completely agree with the above.
I go to a regular networking event every month, and you start to get to know people and useful contacts. I was also advised to go to any free events as well - breakfast meetings, business link events, and this has also worked well for me, as you will often meet the same people.

 

[Conceptstore]

Also the type of business you do can have a different effect on different groups. Trade services usually do very well at all networking events as everyone needs one sometime or another.

 

[accountancyextra]

When you go to these types of one off events all the participants are in "selling mode", they are generally not there to buy new services only to promote their own. Therefore you are in a room of people all trying to do the same thing. In such a situation, your only real hope of "doing a deal" will be down to luck if you meet someone who just happens to be looking for your service at that particular time, and even then the odds are against you as he doesn't know you from Adam, so why should he do business with you?.

Having said that, these events can be useful as they can build brand awareness and you may meet someone with whom you can build a relationship with outside the event.

Joining a group that meets regularly is definitely a good idea as the other members will get to know, like and trust you to do business with their clienst and contacts. But this is a medium/ longer term strategy, it won't happen overnight and you will only get out of these groups what you put in, so if you don't help the other members of the group, why should they help you

 

[joshc]

Hi, a different slant on networking that can help overcome the trust issue is to offer your services as a guest speaker free of charge at local business events, meetings and groups. Most universities and colleges now have teams to reach out to local business and organsie lots of events like this.

In my experience, if you can talk convincingly for half an hour on a topic related to your chosen subject, then afterwards people come after you! Makes networking nice and easy.

 

[TestAPlug]

I have had nothing but success from networking, speed networking didnt work for me but general networking events are great its like a little community! I love going to the events, try business link for your local events. KEV Test A Plug

 

[jholden]

Networking like many have said before required time and effort. The local runs events that meet regular (weekly) allow people to get to know what each other do and this results in a better understanding of everyones business which in turn enables them to sell your business for you.

However, it does not work for everyone and every business type.

Those that have most success tend to be either niche markets and a lot of web design businesses!

Like with everything in business, the only way you know if it works for you is to try it.

Good luck.

 

[freeindex]

Hi All
I agree with Local Business Champion. You have to 'give to gain'!
I don't know if all of these are available in your area but I would recommend:
BNI
NRG
4Networking
Ecademy

I think you need to think of networking as a way to secure business for next year. It is a long term strategy but I know many people for whom it is their only form of marketing.

Hope that is helpful

Toni

 

[Bruce_Andrews]

All of the above - and also
Try before you buy!
ALL of the worthwhile groups have visitor days, or are happy for you to go along as a guest.
Find the ones that suit your business, style, and aspirations (e.g. you won't get many large corporate people at a local BNI (now watch someone from BNI prove me a liar!))
Ask other guests or new members for their opinion.

and don't forget FSB - we get 40+ in Northampton every month.