Networking

[TheCopyPad]

Hello,

Does anyone have experience of business networking groups local to Newbury, Berkshire?

I have found a few but I'm keen to see if there are any that are recommended before I think about investing money in a membership.

On a more general networking note, do those that have a membership with these types of groups find that they are worthwhile in terms of receiving referrals?

Thanks in advance
Claire
P.S Apologies for the duplicate post, I posted in "General" initially but thought this section might be more relevant...

 

[projectxy]

Funnily enough I was just looking at Networking sites and would suggest you have a look at 4networking[dot]biz they might have a group close to you. Hope this helps

 

[Geoff T]

Hi Claire,

I find networking worthwhile - no question! over 95% of my clients come by referral...

But you have to put the work in to get there... "marathon, not sprint"...

BNI all the way for me...

 

[TheCopyPad]

Great, thanks for your response.

I've just been in touch with BNI. As you'll already be aware, they only accept one business per profession per chapter but they do have room for a copywriter in 3 of the groups local to me, which is great news!

So now I just need to get my business cards printed and off I go!

 

[businessfunding]

I wouls strongly recommend that you take advantage of free visits and explore a range of groups in your area before getting your cheque book out. There are many BNI clones which are less rigid in structure plus, as mentioned, 4N is worth a try.

I made commitment to explore networking events in my area in january and was astonished by the amount of choice. personally I have opted for no-cost lunchtime events as the structured breakfast meetings aren't my cup of tea.

 

[TheCopyPad]

Thanks for the advice.

BNI has offered me a visit to enable me to try it out before I sign up to the membership so I think I'll give that a go.

I will also take a look at 4N too - to be honest, I hadn't come across them previously so will definitely investigate.

 

[Richard Glynn]

I am a member of a business networking group in Lytham.

If you go networking focusing on generating as much business as possible you may find it a disappointing experience. Don't think: 'what can I get out of it', but how can I contribute and help other members of the group. If you change your tack you won't go far wrong.

It's not about dishing out as many business cards as possible and waiting for the business to come in. Take a sincere interest in fellow business people. Listen. Share experiences; business and personal experiences. And see where it leads.

Be patient as your personality and the advice you offer generates a level of trust and credibility so that people will become comfortable in referring you.

A word about BNI. They weren't really my cup of tea. The group I'm a member of loosely follows the same format ('BNI clone'!). But the focus is on generating real value from business referrals and a support community. The few BNI groups I visited were very focused on referrals at all cost. And would have a major downer on people who didn't pull their weight.

I've always been more of a carrot than a stick person.

Other BNI groups may be different so - as kickstartbtm said - try them out.

 

[Paul Norman]

Not being from that part of the world, I obviously cannot make informed comment about specific groups, and have no uptodate knowledge about those mentioned.

I would, however, encourage you to plan carefully your reason for networking, so that you have a clear purpose. Is it to make contacts? For general social support? To find specific suppliers? To broaden awareness of your business - if this, awareness by whom?

Armed with answers to such questions you will not just make a better choice of which group to go to, but you will have a more precise approach when you are there

 

[S-Marketing]

Needing to pay to network to generate work as a copywriter seems like a very strange position to be in. There is nothing wrong with networking, but having to pay to do it just shows desperation.

 

[Geoff T]

A word about BNI. They weren't really my cup of tea. The group I'm a member of loosely follows the same format ('BNI clone'!). But the focus is on generating real value from business referrals and a support community. The few BNI groups I visited were very focused on referrals at all cost. And would have a major downer on people who didn't pull their weight.

I've heard this complaint a lot Richard - and I'm not saying it doesn't happen (but it doesn't where I'm a member)...

The thing about BNI - or networking in general - is that it's part of your business... you have to invest in it like you do anything else - or it doesn't work...

If sales dipped in your business, would you need to know why? Of course you would! Networking is just another way to market your business - that's it...

Some people like a structured agenda, some like the face-to-face aspect... some don't... either way it's worth "putting your toe in the water" to try for yourself - and make your own mind up...

Bottom line - the day you let other people make decisions for your business, it stops being your business...

I'm just saying - try it and see - other people may not like, but you're not "other people"!

 

[TheCopyPad]

Needing to pay to network to generate work as a copywriter seems like a very strange position to be in. There is nothing wrong with networking, but having to pay to do it just shows desperation.

Thanks for your comments.

This will be my first time self-employed and I'm new to networking. With this in mind, I feel that starting in a structured way might enable me to develop my networking skills and help me feel part of a support network with other local businesses.

 

[businessfunding]

I think you are looking at this in a wise way, but do use the options to try things out, even various BNI 'chapters' (Ugh!) as you will interact differently with different groups.

Don't cough up cash until you are decided, as it is a fair chunk of a marketing budget.

Enjoy!

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

I think its a case of taking up as many "attend a meeting without signing up" offers as you can to see what fits you best.

For me 4N works the best, but I can see why BNI and others suit other peoples needs. Some have more trades while others have more professionals for example. Its a matter of going along and seeing what fits.

4N works best for me because I can attend meetings anywhere in the country and I'm not just limited to my local events. (I'm based in Wales and only 2-5% of my business comes from Wales, so it makes sense for me to reach further than the Welsh Valleys)

 

[Lincoln Photographer]

I have tried nearly all of the groups round me (lincoln) Some you subscribe to some you pay weekly and some are free. Go along to them and see who is there. just because somebody tells you that a group is no go it might just be no good to them! a busy group might look good but are your customers, clients and competitors their. don't waste your time and money on groups that don't bring in any money. Don't go expecting to do business there and then. It has taken three months for some clients to contact me.
As for finding groups round you try asking at your local Chambers of Commerce.

 

[Faevilangel]

I am a member of 4Networking and was at the Newbury group last Wednesday. It's right in the centre of town at the Chequers Hotel. Lovely venue, free parking and they do a really nice breakfast.

4N allow you to visit 3 times before becoming a paid member (£10 breakfast charge) and they have a special offer on at the moment which is £200 for 200 days membership. This allows you to visit anyone of the 300+ networking groups in the country and the 8 groups in Australia (if you wished).

4N launched the evening networking portion of the site tonight, so you can now network twice a day for the same price as the old breakfast meetings. There is currently around 15 evening networking launched / launching and many many more planned. I would estimate there will be as many evening meetings as breakfast meetings within a year. This means you can potentially visit 600 meetings and meeting in excess 10,000 businesses if you find a way to clone yourself.

There are other 4N meetings within easy reach of Newbury including Reading, Basingstoke, Swindon, Maidenhead and Slough. Check out the map here to find other meetings.

Stretchy, lots of copywriters and other businesses pay to be in a networking group as it puts your business in front of 15 to 50 other businesses within your local region, but them visitors will know other businesses, which is the great thing about networking as the other businesses will recommend you. Just this week, I have had 4 referrals from members in my local networking group. I do around 6 meetings a fortnight and always come away with at least 2 referrals from each meeting.

It's probably the most cost effective way to get in front of local business owners, and the ROI can be massive if you have the right service for the area.

 

[Clare1]

Hi everyone,

I see that BNI has already been mentioned however I know that another BNI chapter is being set up in Swindon and they are looking for seats to be filled for varies industries. They are having a pre meeting on Monday 27 January from 9.00 am to 10.00 am in Swindon, and they are hoping to launch the chapter with 20 members at their official first meeting on Friday 31 January 2013. The pre meeting is chance to meet current members and see the proof of how BNI brings them in great business. For more information or to book your place the contact is: emma@redheadpr. co.uk (there should be no spaces in email address)

Thanks
Clare

 

[clairewilkie]

I found that the same people turn up to each group at 4N in a local area, where as BNI ensure that doesn't happen but it costly. I think 4N and BNI work well for people in construction industries, services and finance- not so great for the creative businesses out there, unless you're a web- designer.

 

[Faevilangel]

I found that the same people turn up to each group at 4N in a local area, where as BNI ensure that doesn't happen but it costly. I think 4N and BNI work well for people in construction industries, services and finance- not so great for the creative businesses out there, unless you're a web- designer.

Think you got it the wrong way round, BNI it's the same people at every meeting as you join a chapter and have to go to every meeting (you can get someone to sub a certain amount of times) whiles in 4N any one can go to any meeting, you will get a few that go to the same meeting most weeks but there will always be a turn over of new people.

 

[clairewilkie]

Hi Faevilangel,

No, I meant that at 4N you have the beauty of going to any of them, meaning you meet more people to network with over a wider area... when actually from my experience it was the same crowd at each one, not very driven (sometimes refreshing) and sometimes only a few turned up. In BNI, yes you have your 'sales team' who are there every week, which is good and ensures accountability. Plus BNI cuts out the competition for you, but it's costly for Start-ups etc.

 

[MyEventBucket]

I run a selection of different industry based networking in London and I'd say it's a great idea. Try to go to the ones that offer speed networking as well as a mingle after. That way you break the ice and get around everybody and know who can offer value to you. Just don't forget your business cards. Or invest in a tablet with mail-chimp and collect data manually and send everybody an email out at the end.