How Can I Meet More People?

A great way to strengthen your network is to start a group.  Many of us already belong to networking groups or attend events such as Meetups, but why not develop one yourself?  As many of the articles on the subject of networking state, it becomes easier to network when you act like a host and get involved.

So, if you’d like an alternative to the popular networking organizations like BNI, create yours.  Here’s 3 things you should do first:

Find a few more like minded colleagues to help run the group with you. No need to do it by yourself.  Plus, you will be expanding your pool by bringing in people who will then bring in more people.

Pick a theme/agenda. What is the purpose of this group?  Why are you dragging people here every week, month, or quarter?  My SuperNodes group (which I do with four others) is centered around wine.  And that seems to bring the people every month.

Build your audience, not your bank account. Keep it free and simple in the beginning.  Get folks in the door and keep them coming.  Make it worth their while. Once you work out all the kinks and get a good flow to the meetings/events, then you can wonder how to turn it into a money maker.  And maybe money doesn’t enter the picture for some groups.  If you’re a good networker, you will always find a way to turn connections into something of value…be it money, knowledge, or friendship.

If you think you know enough people, connect with ten more.  Then lather, rinse, repeat.

Tagged as: business networking, Meetup.com, networking, relationships, supernodes, wine