Getting the Most Out of a Networking Group

If you've been looking for a way to boost the effectiveness of your online marketing and social media efforts you should really look at joining a local networking group.  If you are not familiar with what a networking, leads, or referral group is; it's a group that usually meets weekly to build relationships with other business people and to pass leads and referrals.  These types of groups come in all shapes and sizes from corporate run groups to chamber of commerce groups to free coffee clubs.  Whether you are new to this type of marketing or have been going for years, the following tips should make your experience much more enjoyable and profitable.

1. Build Relationships First - Your first goal in joining a networking group shouldn't be to gain new business.  If you join the group with the only intention of finding a new stream of potential customers, you are missing the point.  Just like you shouldn't engage in social media just to spam others with your latest offers (another topic by itself), you shouldn't join a networking group just to snatch up business cards to add to the pile (yet another topic for another post).  By focussing on building relationships, you ensure that you are not only a trusted member of the group, you prepare yourself to do a better job with step 2.

2. Give First, Then Get - Once you've got a good feeling for who the members of your networking group are, what makes them different from others in their field, and what would make a good referral for them it's time to start actively looking for ways to get them some business.  First look within your immediate group of family and customers for opportunity to generate some business for the members of your group.  After a few successful referrals to others, you can start to look to generate referrals for the members of your group no matter where you are.  As the other members of the group start to receive referrals from you, they will start to pass them back in return.  

3. Be Ready to Refer - It's always a good idea to have a few cards from each of the members in the group with you at all times.  You never know when you might have the opportunity to pass along their card to a prospective customer.  This can also be a good way to get your card in the hands of others, as they see you as a connector, and someone beneficial to be connected with.

4. Give & Get Quality Referrals - Passing unqualified referrals, and not following up on the referrals given to you, are guaranteed ways to lose the trust of others.  If you pass a referral to another member of your group, make sure to give them as much information about the referral as possible.  Also, make sure that the person whose referral you are giving is expecting this person to contact them.  The last thing you want is a member of your group calling on the referral and having the person they are calling on be upset or caught off guard that they are calling.

Joining a referral group can be a great way to connect with people in person to strengthen relationships built online, or to create new social networks.  Just make sure to be social and respectful of the other members, and you might just have 20-30 other people selling your services for you.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.