Nibletz Staff
Networking groups can be an incredibly valuable tool in the business world, especially when you are just starting out. They are a great way of making contacts that could bring in business, and they are also useful for scoping out the competition. The links that you make at networking events can make or break a business so it is important that you attend them. But even better than attending them, is setting them up yourself. That way you can invite people that are most beneficial to you, and maximize the effectiveness of the event. It can be difficult to set up a successful networking group, but if you do it right, the benefits will be enormous. Here are some of the key things you need to do to make your networking events successful.
Do Your Research
There is a simple way that you can do this, attend as many events as possible. Not only will you get the benefits that come with attending a lot of networking events, you will also be able to see which ones are most popular and work out why. That way, when you start your own networking group you will be able to imitate these features. In some cases, it might be possible to change the focus of an existing networking group to suit your own interests, this will save you a lot of work.
Have a Clear Aim
The best networking groups are clear in their purpose. You need to remember that the idea of networking events is that they are mutually beneficial. If you have a clear idea of the types of links you want to forge, it will be a lot easier to decide who to invite. As a result of this, everybody in attendance will make better connections and will be more likely to be a regular member of the group. If people arrive and the guests they speak to are not really in their field, they are not likely to return.
Make your Events Enjoyable
This might seem a bit obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. After all, people are giving up an evening to attend these events and while they are there to make business links, they will still be reluctant to come again if the event is boring. Make sure that you have interesting and relevant speakers. You should also make sure you get the best catering, you would be surprised how much difference it could make. The venue needs to be carefully considered as well, if it is not very accessible to your guests, you might find that people stop showing up. Pick somewhere that is easy to get to and is a nice venue.
Listen to Your Members
If you have done everything else right, you should have some regular members by now. Speak to them regularly about any changes they think could be made to the group and listen to them. After all, you want them to keep coming back. If you do not listen to your members, and just operate the group in a way that is only beneficial to yourself, you will soon see it fall apart.
If you follow these steps, there is no reason why you can’t create a successful networking group and widen your professional circle.
