Network To Success

by Maria Marsala

Summary: A resource rich list of networking tips and sources on the web. It's time to let others know about your wonderful business!

Whether you've moved to a new city, just started a business or want to grow your existing business, building a community with lots of connections is essential for your personal and business evolution. Remember that networking isn't about instant gratification - it's about long-term success. Relationships -- business and personal -- take time to develop.

Home business owners have an added reason to network. If you don't get out of the house, isolation and the long-term effects of isolation - depression - may set in.

Still not convinced about the rewards of networking? Many associations offer members group rates on health and liability insurance, etc.

• Take a class
• Get out and enjoy yourself. Take classes that have nothing to do with your business -- just for the fun of it. You can always tell the people you meet, when they ask, what type of business you're engaged in later.
• Start a group - either social or business.
• Want to network? Start a networking group. Looking to make more women friends? Start a women's group. Want to meet more singles? Start a singles group. Want to walk? - Start a walking group, etc. etc. etc.
• Teach what you love!
• Design a continuing education type of class. Contact your local colleges, Department of Parks, YMCA, library, non-profit organizations and look for other opportunities in your local newspaper.
• Get out there and speak!
• Find a group you enjoy attending, or that your ideal client attends, and volunteer to be a speaker. For suggested networking and presentations books visit www.TheResourceQueen.com/books/. A few international service groups are:
• Rotary International www.rotary.org
• Order of the Elks
• Kiwanis International www.kiwanis.org
• Lions Club International www.lionsclubs.org
• Buddy Network
• Buddy Networking takes time and patience because it's about finding businesses or professional services you use and feel comfortable recommending. Or if you know a business owner well, meet with them first. The second part of Buddy Networking is that your ideal client visits these places, too.
• Conduct a contest by placing a fish bowl in a store to collect business cards. For more information on networking in a bowl, go to www.coachmaria.com/articles/
• Subscribe to non-competing ezine or newsletter to see if there is an opportunity for an ad swap with it's owner
• If you receive mail from someone who also services your ideal client, ask for a link exchange on each other's web site or other buddy networking opportunities.
• Swap business cards and/or other print media with businesses your ideal client visits, you use and would feel comfortable recommending.
• Ask another business to teach a class with you.
• Your ideas here......
• Visit a few groups
• When you find a networking group, you can visit the group a few times before you join. Also, when you find the group's phone number, make phone contact and arrange to meet the person you're speaking with at the first meeting. This way you'll know someone. Some international networking groups are:
• Business Network International www.bni.com
• Lead's Clubs www.leadesclub.org
• International Training in Communication http://www.itcintl.com/
• Toastmasters www.toastmasters.org
• Contact Your Local Chamber of Commerce
• Chambers of Commerce are gifts to businesses, especially small businesses. Why? The benefits including a membership directory that they'll send you. Besides joining one, they're usually aware of other local networking groups, too. Use the links below to find Chamber in your area.
• Canada http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc/main.html
• All Other Countries http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=%22chamber+of+commerce%22
• National Groups
• Look for groups to network with that are within your own industry and for groups that might not be in your own town -- expand your horizons. One group that offers health insurance is the National Association for the Self-Employed www.nase.org. There are many others listed at www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=National+Business+Organizations
• Web sites Lists of Associations
• Northern Arizona University Web Site http://www4.nau.edu/womensstudies/women's_studies_and_community_links.htm
• Networking On-Line www.TheResourceQueen.com/networking/networking.html
• USA Small Business Administration www.sba.gov/services
• Women's Organizations
• USA www.euronet.nl/%7efullmoon/womlist/countries/usa/usa.html
• By Country www.euronet.nl/~fullmoon/womlist/countries
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) www.nawbo.org
• American Business Women's Association ABWA www.abwahq.org
• Career Women's Recommended Business Resource List
  http://www.careerwomen.com/resources/resources.jsp

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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