and why I am joining more groups
1. I enjoy learning about other's businesses. I would never know about many fabulous businesses if I didn't attend networking meetings regularly.
2. I believe in todays economy that we must learn about, and support one another's businesses, in a cost effective manner. Networking through various groups affords me that opportunity.
3. I enjoy bartering services and products. Here's a perfect example of how bartering has grown two businesses. I asked Rosalie M. if she would barter a couple Tastefully Simple products for Parisian's Pure Indulgence products. She welcomed the idea. I shared one of the Tastefully Simply products with a friend, he loved the product (Pomegranate Chipolte Sauce-Yum!) and is placing a order for his friends for the holidays! Rosalie enjoyed her Parisian's Pure Indulgence products and sings their praises at the networking meetings she attends.
4. Going to meetings allows me to get my products in more people's hands. I always bring samples.
5. I appreciate hearing different ways others are growing their businesses.
Networking Group do's and don'ts
Do:
1. Do consider giving away your products and services in order to allow others to experience what you offer and tell their friends about it.
2. Do attend regularly. Let people get to know who you are.
3. Follow up with an email, phone call, or newsletter.
4. Join social media connections with the people you meet at meetings, such as, facebook, Twitter, Linkedin. Can't say enough about the importance of supporting each others business through fb Fan Pages!
5. Learn all you can about Social Media and networking through programs like http://www.blogtalkradio.com/social-paradigm-/2009/09/17/guerrilla-marketing-tactics This program has helped me learn how Social Media is one of our most powerful marketing tools!
6. When you like what another business offers....tell your friends!
Don't:
1. Don't go to one or two meetings and expect a ton of new business. You must be consistent, attend regularly, allowing others get to know who you are and why they would want to do business with you.
2. Don't forget to support someone else's business first. Because I blog regularly, I take a photo and feature someone from every networking meeting I go to, in my weekly blog. I believe in supporting others first.
3. Don't forget to follow up. This is very important!
I have seen excellent results from attending Heart Link Networking meetings for 9 months now. I started going to one a month and now attend two per month. I go to these meetings in different areas and meet lots of new entrepreneurs, like myself.
Here's the wonderful women I met at our Heart Link Networking group meeting this week.
Brittney M., Isagenix and our wonderful Heart Link leader, Susan F., CPA, Cory C., Bast Insurance, Marty V., KikaPaprika Clothing line, Kelli P., Parisian's Pure Indulgence, Pamela K., Organizing Solutions, Rosalie M., Tastefully Simple, and Renee U., Math by Renee.
Share with us your experience of networking. What groups do you belong to? How has networking supported your business?