18 Nov 09 How to Make Networking Fun

Whether you’re on your own or an employee of another company, you know how important it is to get in touch–and stay in touch–with almost everyone. This is so important that some people are starting their own networking clubs, and many of them are highly successful. Here are some ways to start your own networking club.

First, find out how many people might be interested in your networking group. You could go so far as to post an ad in Craigslist, but you could also post on industry-specific websites if you want to be more particular. Give yourself a few weeks to establish about how many you might expect at your first event.

Next, contact some of your suppliers. See if they would be willing to offer wares and services in exchange for invitations. For instance, you could ask your beverage supplier to bring her best offerings for samples and then give her “prime real estate” in the layout of your networking event. Make sure these contacts include properties so you will have a cheap or free place to hold your own event.

Then do what you do best and plan it. No one knows better how to design, arrange, prepare, and execute an event better than those in your field, so make sure your events are top-notch even if they are only for twenty people. And keep in mind that they don’t need to be big events–you already know quality counts.

Tags: Contacts, Craigslist, Find People, Fun, How Many People, Invitations, Networking Club, Networking Clubs, Networking Event, Networking Group, Offerings, Prime Real Estate, Quality Counts, Rsquo, Top Notch, Wares