Networking Events..What do you expect?

[Findagem]

Hi Guys, If you turn up to a networking event - What exactly is it that you are looking for?

Do you expect something structured in the way of a presentation and then points for discussion?

Do you want the chance to talk about your own business?

I organised a free networking breakfast the other week as I am new to business, people actually turned up which was great and I felt they wanted more from me in terms of content etc however I just wanted to meet other business owners, share ideas, pitfalls etc but now I have my next one lined up I feel I should be more structured, however last time it seemed to flow quite well with the conversation and there was only a couple awkward silences.
So please advise what you expect to get out of one - What information do you want to know? How would one seem successful to you?
Thanks
Gemma

 

[Ashley_Price]

Welcome to UKBF.

I have to question your decision to organise an event without knowing what sort of event it would be.

You need to decide the ground rules, because every networking event is different and you cannot please everyone. So, go with what you feel most comfortable with and then you will attract those who prefer your style of networking.

Also, attend a wide variety of other events and see what you like or not at those as well.

 

[ethical PR]

Hi Gemma

Why don't you look at what else is available locally, contact people who attended and ask for their feedback (survey monkey with incentive) and look at what you can offer that is different/better.

It's not about what information we want on a forum but what information those attending your events want and can't get from other local networking events.

For example if at your last breakfast you had asked attendees what are the issues that are most of concern to them (I bet they would have said finance and marketing in the top 5) you could arrange to have a speaker on the topic of raising funds, or how to sell your services/products online.

 

[Ashley_Price]

But to answer your original question, I go to different networking events, some are structured around a meal (breakfast or lunch), while some are completely free (it's held at a venue, you just turn up and network with the others there and if you want food or drink, you buy your own). Depending on which one I go to I am likely to meet different types of business people, and as "everyone" needs office supplies, it gets me in front of a lot of people.

 

[Findagem]

Thanks, The idea for the first event was for each person to intrduce their business, then discuss what issues they have at the moment, what they have tried and whats worked and what hasnt worked and future plans and getting everyones feedback really and all of us helping each other. It is a free event (people can buy a cuppa) and everyone is welcome. I guess for free you cant expect alot but i want to provide a good service.

Thanks
Gemma

 

[Mark T Jones]

Full respect to you for trying, but I fear you will end up herding (quite ungrateful) cats.

Firstly, what everyone wants from a free networking event is to hand out business cards and talk about themselves/their business. If they can pick up a few tips along the way, well and good, but that is secondary

They will drift in and out (if you get 50% of agreed attendance you will be doing well) and whine that there is nothing in it for them - ie nobody is passing them leads

I'm sorry that sounds negative, but it is the experience of just about everybody who has tried it

To give the event value, it should be chargeable (even a nominal £5), should have a defined aidience and a clear purpose. It will still be a struggle, but at least there will be a purpose

 

[Ashley_Price]

Did you include time for them to network before and after the event? From what it sounds like you're offering, some chatting time afterwards would be of fantastic benefit because someone comes up with an issue and there maybe someone else in the room who can help with that... but depending on the nature of the issue it may not be something to be discussed openly.

Also, be aware some people won't want to discuss "issues" publicly, especially if there is someone else from the same industry in the room, for fear of giving a competitor an advantage, or potentially stop others from using them.

To give an example, imagine if I said "Can anyone suggest a courier. My one is giving me a lot of hassle. Stuff is arriving late or damaged and they have missed a couple of collections recently." [Just to clarify, my couriers are fine, and stuff is arriving on time and in perfect condition]

Now, that does two things:

1/ If there is another office supplies firm in the room, they could then go off and use that information against me, to prospective customers "We can guarantee your supplies will be with you next day, whereas Pavilion cannot, as they are admitting to having issues."

2/ It tells the others that if they did buy from me they may have problems getting their orders next working day.

So, you are likely to find that people will only want to be positive about their businesses in an open forum.

 

[Ashley_Price]

To give the event value, it should be chargeable (even a nominal £5), should have a defined aidience and a clear purpose. It will still be a struggle, but at least there will be a purpose

Good idea and to add to this, if you're going to have any outlay that means you do need to charge a fee, make sure you get their money in advance. Otherwise, if you allow them to "pay on the door" then they will book, and not turn up.

When the local Chamber of Commerce first started breakfast networking meetings, it was free to book and you paid when you arrived. Of course, the meeting would be booked quickly, until it was full... but sometimes less than half the people who had booked actually turned up. So, the venue ended up with several wasted breakfasts that had to be paid for. The Chamber very quickly learnt that the best way to do it was for people to pay at the time of booking.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I guess for free you cant expect alot but i want to provide a good service.

If you are determined to keep the events free, then the biggest tip I can give is do not put too much of your own time into preparing, marketing, etc.

Some years ago, a business friend and me started a local networking group, which we held every other Tuesday lunch time in Brighton. It was completely free to attend, you didn't have to book in advance, etc. But to make it successful we found we were spending more and more time having to promote it (it had a website, a Facebook page, etc.) until, in the end it was actually affecting our own work.

The lady I ran it with was putting in the most work and then we had a conversation where she wanted either to run it completely herself (as she was doing the most work, she should get all the credit) or would leave it. I was happy for her to take it on, because I had always said I was her "assistant".

Anyway, she continued to run it by herself for a few more months, but on the morning of one of the events, she sent me a text to say she simply had no inclination to do it any more.

So, you need to make sure that if you either keep the event simple, or you charge for it.

 

[HazelC]

It depends what you sell the event as!

I run a Coffee Morning and Afternoon Tea, both of which are informal and I make it clear they are informal.

I run a Breakfast event and this has more structure, which I make clear has more structure and explain the structure.

Hope that helps?

 

[stender]

I would guess people are attending for different reasons. Some may be looking for advice on a particular subject, some may be looking to start a business. Some may be looking for business opportunities, some may be selling their wares. I'm sure my reasons for attending would differ to others on here. There's a good chance the majority wont turn up at your next event if it didn't cover what they wanted. I think you need to be specific or at least set a varied agenda.
Try and get someone to talk about their business and any difficulties or good points. Maybe allow people to anonymously submit questions via a postcard and you read them out for discussion by the larger audience? I could go on