Your experience of networking. Does it work?

[Funding for Communities]

Hi,
My previous businesses didn't need to market themselves as such and so networking is going to be a new experience for me. I was more than happy to give it a go, and still am, but have been surprised to read posts from people who have done it, saying all they met was website and seo people. If that's the case I am probably wasting my time. Is that right?

I would be interested to hear of your experiences.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Twinkle Toes]

Yes you a right, waste of time generally. And never, ever pay to "network" as that isn't networking.

 

[DavidWH]

We paid to be a member of a well know international networking group We are no longer members.

Worked OK in our infancy as we met a 'few' good customers who we still do work for. I say few as they were mainly members of the group of 25+, very few 'external' leads.

Then there was the visitor days, stack days, training, committee meetings, social events. I'm not saying it doesn't work... but it works better for some than others.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

We paid to be a member of a well know international networking group We are no longer members.

Worked OK in our infancy as we met a 'few' good customers who we still do work for. I say few as they were mainly members of the group of 25+, very few 'external' leads.

Then there was the visitor days, stack days, training, committee meetings, social events. I'm not saying it doesn't work... but it works better for some than others.

That's my point, you weren't paying to network, but to meet the same people week in and week out. Works maybe for the first or second visit if your lucky.

Networking is meeting new contacts organically, not forced. Example being today I used two of my clients service, one is a plumber the other a tree serugeon, didn't need to pay to meet them, in fact the reverse as they have been paying me for years! You just need to "get out there" in the very many outlets there are.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

This is proper networking here on this site albeit online but I think some people get confused about it . You don't need to pay money to be a part of a club !!!
I have helped people out here and I have been helped out by people here . I have gained business from this site and parted money with people on this site .
There is more to networking than a coffee morning !!

 

[HazelC]

If we are talking real networking events, where you go and meet people (as opposed to online networking on here) then yes it works - if you are good at networking!

People that say it doesn't work are taking the wrong business to the wrong event or they just aren't born networkers (and it is a challenge).

My business has come from networking, recommendations (some from people I met networkng) and social media - starting to get work from website and also repeat business, but the main three are as stated. Without networking my business would not be successful or as big as it is.

However, you don't go to network to sell instead you go to build relationships.

 

[garyk]

This is proper networking here on this site albeit online but I think some people get confused about it . You don't need to pay money to be a part of a club !!!
I have helped people out here and I have been helped out by people here . I have gained business from this site and parted money with people on this site .
There is more to networking than a coffee morning !!

Agreed and if your product/service is not geographically constrained it makes sense to network UK wide rather than just in your local town.

 

[DavidWH]

However, you don't go to network to sell instead you go to build relationships.

Networking is only as good as the people you network with. If they too want to build relationships, and share the same ethos, it will work. My experience is that from a room of nearly 30 people, the majority were there to sell their goods and services, and were generally lazy business people. They found referrals the night before the meeting, and didn't do anything more until the following week.

 

[HazelC]

I've never experienced anything like that @DavidWH - clearly I've been lucky enough to network in the right places / with the right people.

I'm confused though, if they are lazy why would they bother going to the networking event anyway? Let alone when they already have leads?

 

[DavidWH]

Networking was good for us for the first 12-18months then we left, I am not knocking it, but here's my experience:

• 95% of the membership were one day networkers, where on a Tuesday afternoon/evening would franticly find a referral for the mornings meeting. After the meeting they wouldn't do anything more until the same time the next week. It was almost as if they expected to sit in a room once a week, and all this work would pour in... we all know it doesn't.

• It was the same people running the show, just in different roles. Once again, the majority of the membership didn't want to take on any roles within the group.

• Most of the members did networking as their only sales channel, and didn't do it particularly well. They thought me mad to leave the group, yet we get a much greater ROI through other channels.

Rather than focusing on the groups figures, how much business is passed in the room, we looked at our figures, what we were getting from the room, the time, effort, resources we piled into it, and walked away. Whether by chance, or because we've concentrated on other things, our sales & margins have increased.

@HazelC take your business as an example, if you were in a room like ours was, where 95% didn't know what Facebook and Twitter was, 50% didn't have a website, and as a group had multiple social media guru's in to teach us all... I think you'd struggle, they weren't very pro-active, hence my comment it's only as good as the group.

If you're making money from it, then great, but it's no magical solution for every business.

 

[HazelC]

[QUOTE

@HazelC take your business as an example, if you were in a room like ours was, where 95% didn't know what Facebook and Twitter was, 50% didn't have a website, and as a group had multiple social media guru's in to teach us all... I think you'd struggle, they weren't very pro-active, hence my comment it's only as good as the group.

If you're making money from it, then great, but it's no magical solution for every business.[/QUOTE]

Then I'd be in my element
* 95% don't know what social media is so I can offer them tips and advice, offer them some blog posts that would help and give them a flyer for social medis training
* 50% with no website - brilliant, I can pass them recommendations of web designers I work with and we could build up a relationship so when they are ready I can do the content for their website or give them tips for doing it themselves then book them in for a free review session that we do once a month
* Social Media Gurus - fabulous, 'Gurus' will often only teach but not manage accounts so we could build relationships and share leads between us

And you seem to have forgotten about the people they know and that they can recommend us too?

 

[DavidWH]

Once again... assuming the people in the room are pro-active and bother to find referrals.

Not digging your business, or your networking.

Our group encouraged manipulation of the stats, as the majority were internal referrals, and looked bad on paper.

 

[HazelC]

I'm struggling with not saying what I want to here @DavidWH and as much as this may cause upset I hope you take it in the kindest of ways - I have to wonder if it is your attitude that results in a lack of referrals?

Don't expect other people to do things for you, instead go out and do things for yourself. When you pass a referral to someone the 'reciprocal marketing' kicks in and they want to help you in return. If you go in for sales you will find that networking doesn't work.

Approach networking with the "What Can I Do For You" approach instead of "What Can I Get Out Of This For Me"

(I'm guessing an attitude further to your signature - clearly you know what you want but this can be off putting to some?)

 

[DavidWH]

I don't take much personally, especially on the internet, and I sure hell don't expect others to do things for me, never have.

With regards to networking, I was a very active member, I was on the committee, visitor hosts, and umpteen other roles. I tried as much as could for the greater good to improve the group.

I reciprocated the business we received, and passed some excellent referrals (even now I am no longer a member) I also passes referrals to other members who never actioned it, never followed it up.

The theory works provided everyone sings from the same hymn sheet. The point I have made from the very beginning is that networking is only as good as the people you network with.

As for my signature - the number of phone calls I got from posting a single question was beyond a joke.

 

[Paul Murray]

Personally I approach networking events in a similar way to forums. A forum isn't a place to sell, it's a place to offer advice (often for free) and build relationships with people. I chat and I offer advice to people and many do the same (I chose my accountant simply because they gave me so much valuable advice at an event).

Overall I've found networking hit and miss. Some are just casual meet-ups where you can relax and meet people and chat over an after-work drink. Others, are stiff and full of people who are there expecting to say "Hi, I do XXXX" and have everyone in the room flock to them to throw business their way. I think it often depends not just on who you're networking with, but also who's organised it.

I have had work from networking events, not directly from a contact I met there, but from their contacts. Some were just requests for proposal, but it gave me a shot at work I wouldn't normally have been aware of.

 

[HazelC]

Personally I approach networking events in a similar way to forums. A forum isn't a place to sell, it's a place to offer advice (often for free) and build relationships with people. I chat and I offer advice to people and many do the same (I chose my accountant simply because they gave me so much valuable advice at an event).

Overall I've found networking hit and miss. Some are just casual meet-ups where you can relax and meet people and chat over an after-work drink. Others, are stiff and full of people who are there expecting to say "Hi, I do XXXX" and have everyone in the room flock to them to throw business their way. I think it often depends not just on who you're networking with, but also who's organised it.

I have had work from networking events, not directly from a contact I met there, but from their contacts. Some were just requests for proposal, but it gave me a shot at work I wouldn't normally have been aware of.

I'm in complete agreement Paul

 

[Paul Murray]

Another way I look at networking events, is they're a great excuse for me to get out of the office and have some time off. A way to work without actually working if you like.

 

[DavidWH]

I think Paul's worded what I was trying to say, much more elegantly.

I am not 'anti' networking, I have some very good customers from networking, I go out for the occasional drink with people I met through networking.

Networking 'worked' for us, up to a point, and we left, we still have these relationships. Don't solely rely on networking as your only sales channel. Like us, you may find others work better.

And @HazelC I trust there's no bad feelings between us

 

[Paul_Rosser]

Networking can be great but should be seen as just that and not a way to sell as people will switch off very quickly.

It's also very important to go to the right networking events as some are great and some are pretty poor with the same 10-20 people turning up every time.

I did a bit of networking when we started but soon decided I didn't like it much and so employed a business development chap who really likes it (high I for anyone who knows about DISC) and the best one we have found is business connected as they tend to attract 100+ people to each of their events, have a well distributed magazine etc.

 

[HazelC]

I think Paul's worded what I was trying to say, much more elegantly.

I am not 'anti' networking, I have some very good customers from networking, I go out for the occasional drink with people I met through networking.

Networking 'worked' for us, up to a point, and we left, we still have these relationships. Don't solely rely on networking as your only sales channel. Like us, you may find others work better.

And @HazelC I trust there's no bad feelings between us

Definitely no hard feelings here

 

[beyondlocal]

Hi,
My previous businesses didn't need to market themselves as such and so networking is going to be a new experience for me. I was more than happy to give it a go, and still am, but have been surprised to read posts from people who have done it, saying all they met was website and seo people. If that's the case I am probably wasting my time. Is that right?

I would be interested to hear of your experiences.

Thanks
Mike

I would not join a closed networking group where there is only one of each business. That smacks of desperation to me and I wouldn't necessarily trust anyone I met in that scenario?

The networking we have found useful is via our local Chamber of Commerce, especially as we are looking to work within our local communities. We have found it good for meeting other local business people and have used it:

• To find out what is happening in the local business community,
• get some insight into what opportunities and threats they perceive,
• understand some of their pain points,
• and as an opportunity to promote our brand.

It has led to some sales indirectly and has helped us make some good purchasing decisions. That said, it is my understanding that not all Chambers are that proactive, so it is probably worth going to one of their events to evaluate them before joining.

 

[Paul Baillie]

Hi, for my role within my company networking is crucial. I believe that people buy from people, no matter how big or small the brand/company/service is for. I speak to many people who bad mouth networking but it really comes down to the type of person you are - lots of people hate it because it takes them out of their comfort zone.
I am definitely not a sales person - I hate the elevator pitch and I gain more from one-to-one meetings.
I have tried many different types of networking events and I know what works best for me. Personally, I am now on the board of directors for my local Chamber of Commerce, I have set up my own networking group and I still attend other networking events to make new contacts.
I am happy to pass on my experiences - what works/does not work if this will help?

 

[Mitch3473]

Networking, isn't that we elders used to call meeting people.

 

[GRDCredit]

Hi,
My previous businesses didn't need to market themselves as such and so networking is going to be a new experience for me. I was more than happy to give it a go, and still am, but have been surprised to read posts from people who have done it, saying all they met was website and seo people. If that's the case I am probably wasting my time. Is that right?

I/QUOTE]

To go back to the OP! As you say yourself - give it a go and get a feel for it.

Personally, networking works for me very well. I get a lot of business from my network but I have been working at it for some years

 

[Paul Baillie]

For a business, if you don't network then you need to look at other ways to generate new leads. I know some companies that prefer to pay for marketing or advertising. We offer a more personal service so networking works better for us. We have also built up introducers through networking.

 

[DavidWH]

...if you don't network then you need to look at other ways to generate new leads...

Similarly if you do network, you should not discount other ways to generate leads. Whilst we were networking we promoted our website, emarketing, and direct mail, and found better ROI from other methods. That being said, our business is quite labour intensive at times, so anything that generates leads, without a great deal of time commitment is a winner.

 

[Mitch3473]

So whilst I dont generally do this 'networking ' thing a funny thing happened on the way.......to the Indian tonight. I called in with the wife and Mum and sat down. Next to us was a group of people....'networking' according to the owner, general small talk like people do at these type of things, anyway to cut a long story short I walked out with the contract to launder the restaurants table cloths and napkins.....

 

[Funding for Communities]

I am happy to pass on my experiences - what works/does not work if this will help?

Hi Paul, yes that would be helpful thanks.

Mike

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Networking, isn't that we elders used to call meeting people.

Well done Mitch yes it is . networking is very 1980s /1990s
I thought I was unfashionable with my Clarks boots and woolly jumper but some of these people on here make look like LL Cool J !!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Ice flow!!)

 

[Philip Hoyle]

My experiences are that "networking" is most effective when it's not forced. I've had many clients who've joined the well known networking meetings and have been very disappointed with the hard sell and the "closed shop" atmosphere which they have said made it a very artificial and short term fix.

Personally, my best "networking" has been simply meeting people and talking to people in real life - ex school friends, people who've done work for me, neighbours, "friends of friends", shop-keepers from the local shops I frequent, etc. - these are the kinds of people who remain clients for decades and continue to recommend their friends and family.

By contrast, one particular client who invested heavily in breakfast meetings found, yes, plenty of new business when he first joined, but then it drastically tailed off to a dribble. He also found that his new clients were very short term, most moved to a different service provider once he resigned from his local networking group and his place was taken by a competitor. No loyalty whatsoever as presumably the other members felt obliged to give their business to the new member!

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

I used to network quite a lot as part of my previous career. At first it was useful but as time went on, it just became the same old faces at a variety of different networking meetings. Every event you went to was like Groundhog Day.

There's one networking group I know of (one of the ones that are based on referrals and only one type of business is allowed in each one) where the web designer there is making a good living off these referrals despite making the most shocking websites I've ever seen (design circa 2003, no titles, 10 h1 tags on a page and worst of all on one site I came across he was using Shutterstock images that he's blatantly not paid for as they still have the watermark on).

He's probably a nice guy and people recommend him because of this and he's a long standing member, but that's where these forced referrals are a bad part of these kind of networking groups.