Getting into too many networking groups can leave you high and dry in terms of having a life and all your money spent. You need to have a balance when you join networking groups. There are so many groups out there that you can spend all week long and your entire profit attending events.
Do your research.
Check out ALL of the networking groups out there. Do a Google search, check out Meet Up, Get on Linked in and check out the area Chamber of Commerce. (You can belong to any chamber, you don't have to live or work there.)
Attend event / meetings
Attend one or two of the events or meeting that these groups are holding. Most will let you be a guest a time or two before joining. Take notes at these events and do some follow up with other members in that group. This will give you a good feel about how the group runs and if it is a good fit for you and your company.
Choose wisely
Choose 2 - 3 groups that you can commit to, but always be on the lookout for other groups. The groups that you join should have regular meetings. Chose one that is weekly and at least on other one that is monthly. Have one group be on the smaller side of attendees (10 - 20) and the other one is a large gathering (30+). Make sure that there are several different industry represented in each group. Have one of the groups that you attend be industry exclusive.
Get Involved
Going to regular meetings will give you the contacts and the business relationships that you will need to grow your business. But do more than just go to the meetings. If being a leader is a daunting task for you, start with doing One on Ones with the members of the group and find out how to promote them. Find out from the leader what they are struggling with in the group and see if you can help.
Find the right people
Find out who the movers and shakers are in that group that attends a lot of networking events and get to know them well. This will help free your time to do your work and not get tied up going to all of the meetings. These people are your cheerleaders and will help you do the work for you. Get with them regularly outside the meetings too.
