Building a new networking group
Discussion
Has anyone done this and has any tips?
I'm really not a fan of those groups like the BNI where you need to refer business to people every week and have them refer you. I'd much rather go along and just chat to people about their business, my business and the world in general. Since there's nothing like this local to me and I really need to grow my contacts (I'm not going to just use it to sell to everyone) then I thought I might as well set something up myself.
I'm not completely new to this as I built up a digital marketing event before, but this feels like it should be a bit different. My SEOProSco events were usually young digital marketing types wanting a free slice of pizza, some meeting of their mates from other agencies and maybe tune in to one or two of the talks that we put on.
I think in order to interest business owners from SMEs then it's needs to be a bit different?
Breakfast, lunch or evening?
Someone giving a talk?
Break into groups and play some kind of ice breaking game?
Pay a couple of quid for tea and cake, get it sponsored by someone or just take the cost on the chin?
I've got a few ideas on how to spread the work but any good ones that have worked for you would be really useful.
I'm really not a fan of those groups like the BNI where you need to refer business to people every week and have them refer you. I'd much rather go along and just chat to people about their business, my business and the world in general. Since there's nothing like this local to me and I really need to grow my contacts (I'm not going to just use it to sell to everyone) then I thought I might as well set something up myself.
I'm not completely new to this as I built up a digital marketing event before, but this feels like it should be a bit different. My SEOProSco events were usually young digital marketing types wanting a free slice of pizza, some meeting of their mates from other agencies and maybe tune in to one or two of the talks that we put on.
I think in order to interest business owners from SMEs then it's needs to be a bit different?
Breakfast, lunch or evening?
Someone giving a talk?
Break into groups and play some kind of ice breaking game?
Pay a couple of quid for tea and cake, get it sponsored by someone or just take the cost on the chin?
I've got a few ideas on how to spread the work but any good ones that have worked for you would be really useful.
technodup said:
*Shudder*
I've been to most of them. BNI, 4N etc. But I was at one last month which was 'sold out' (it's free) the month before. First Wed of every month, in a nice hotel, 9-11 or so. I assume there's no charge to the organisers as it's basically the bar area which would be empty at that time of day anyway. If everyone buys a coffee the bar takes a few quid that way (near £5 for one on the Starbucks concession!).
Total free for all, speak to who you want. Pros and cons with that but imo it's preferable to a forced format a la BNI. Things that put people off networking are standing up and speaking, cost and antisocial timing. These guys avoid all of that and get 80 bodies every month.
Eventbrite, local listings, LinkedIn, Twitter etc for promotion.
I was going to suggest how I use them smartly so I'm not selling and don't have to speak to everyone but I've just seen a) you're in marketing (as I am) and b) you're in Scotland (as I am) so I'll let you figure it out from there yourself.
I'm not selling marketing these days, I've got a car lease brokering business. I'm now marketing myself I've been to most of them. BNI, 4N etc. But I was at one last month which was 'sold out' (it's free) the month before. First Wed of every month, in a nice hotel, 9-11 or so. I assume there's no charge to the organisers as it's basically the bar area which would be empty at that time of day anyway. If everyone buys a coffee the bar takes a few quid that way (near £5 for one on the Starbucks concession!).
Total free for all, speak to who you want. Pros and cons with that but imo it's preferable to a forced format a la BNI. Things that put people off networking are standing up and speaking, cost and antisocial timing. These guys avoid all of that and get 80 bodies every month.
Eventbrite, local listings, LinkedIn, Twitter etc for promotion.
I was going to suggest how I use them smartly so I'm not selling and don't have to speak to everyone but I've just seen a) you're in marketing (as I am) and b) you're in Scotland (as I am) so I'll let you figure it out from there yourself.
If you could pass on the details and the tips then I'll get the mochalattechino in at the next one!
technodup said:
I didn't say it was 'good', I said it was busy. 
But it's horses for courses. There is usually a bias towards micro type business with no premises, freelancers and the like, who don't know how or can't afford to do much else.
But then there can be diamonds, it depends on what you're trying to achieve and how you go about it.
I think I missed you?But it's horses for courses. There is usually a bias towards micro type business with no premises, freelancers and the like, who don't know how or can't afford to do much else.
But then there can be diamonds, it depends on what you're trying to achieve and how you go about it.
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