Unless you’re a natural people-person, networking can be an uncomfortable activity that sits on your to-do list without ever getting done. In order to make networking effective and turn the process into one that you enjoy, you’ll need to find the right business networking event for your experience, location, and networking objectives.
Given the variety of networking options out there, one of the most important factors to consider as you find the right event to suit your needs is what your networking goals are. Some of the biggest frustrations with networking occur when you’re uncertain of your goals or when you’re attending events that are designed for a purpose that doesn’t align with what you’re looking for.
You may know exactly what you’re looking to get out of business networking, but if not, here are some clarifying questions that can help you get there:
Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for from your networking, you can start looking for events in your area. Compare descriptions, reviews, and event regularity to see how each event aligns with your networking objectives.
When you’re looking for networking events, try to keep your search radius relatively close to where you live, work, or regularly spend time. While you can travel farther out in order to find networking opportunities, if you have a long commute to get to an event you may be less likely to attend regularly. Finding business networking events in your area also helps you expand your professional connections within the areas where your already-established network of family, friends, coworkers, and customers already exist. Some of the best tools for finding networking events are the internet, local business associations, and recommendations from other professionals.
Networking takes time. Creating the kind of professional connections that help you grow your business requires regular interaction and interest on both sides. Once you find a handful of networking events in your area that seem like a good fit for your business goals, choose one or two events to attend so you can see how they feel in person (or online if you’re attending digital events). Even if your first foray into a new networking experience isn’t successful, consider giving each opportunity at least a couple tries. For many people, networking is uncomfortable and a single failed event can be discouraging. Focus on your goals and commit to your networking opportunities to see how they might be able to contribute to your future business success.
For regular, dedicated networking opportunities across a wide variety of locations, consider 4BR business networking groups. Our groups are composed of professionals across industries who are focused on building effective networking connections. See what groups are in your area and get started with 4BR.