Whether you've moved to a new city, just started a business or are at
that point of growing your business, building a community with lots of
connections is essential for your personal and business evolution.
Remember that networking isn't about instant gratification - its about long term
success! Relationships -- business and personal --time to develop!
Home business owners have an added reason to network.
If you don't get out of the house, isolation and the longer 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.
1. Take a class.
Get out an enjoy yourself. Take classes that has 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.
2. Start a group - either social or business.
Looking to make more women friends? Start women's group. Want to meet
more singles? Start a singles group. Want to walk? - Start a walking group,
etc. etc. etc.
3. 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.
4. Get out there and speak!
Find a group you enjoy attending, or that your ideal client
attends, and volunteer to be a speaker. A few international service
groups are:
Rotary International www.rotary.org, Order of the Elks www.elks.org,
Kiwanis International www.kiwanis.org, and the Lions Club International
www.lionsclub.org
Read a book or listen to a cassette about networking and presentations.
View my recommended networking books list at www.coachmaria.com/businessbooks.html
5. Network in a bowl
Find the place your ideal client visits. Buddy with the store owner and
place a networking bowl, business cards, etc. in that store. Reciprocate
For more information on networking in a bowl, go to www.coachmaria.com
6. 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, then ask if the person can meet you at the meeting. This way
you'll know someone. Some international networking groups are:
Business Network International www.bni.com
Lead's Clubs www.leadesclub.org
Toastmasters www.toastmasters.org
7. Contact Your Local Chamber of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce are wonderful to join and they usually have a book
of members that they'll send you. Besides joining one, they usually know
about other local networking groups.
All Countries:
http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=%22chamber+of+commerce%22
8. 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.
National Association for the Self-Employed www.nase.org
9. Women's Organizations
USA States
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
http://www.abwahq.org
Business and Professional Women's Association BPW
http://www.bpwusa.org
Canadian Home Based Business Mom's
www.hbwm.com/Canadian/cndresources.htm
Working Women List of Associations
www.wwn.com/wwn/association/listall.jsp
Check with your state or country's equivalent of:
Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises
10. Websites Lists of Associations
Women's Enterprise
http://womens-enterprise.com/network.htm
Smart Biz
www.smartbiz.com/sbs/arts/sbs78.htm
USA General Administration Services Web Site
http://hydra.gsa.gov/oed/availres.htm
Parry Aftab & Nancy L. Savitt, ESQ Resources
www.aftab.com/womenorg.htm
Nothern Arizona University Web Site
www.nau.edu/wst/access/hotlist/orghot.html
Business and Professional Women
www.bpwusa.org/content/Workplace/Entrepreneurs/PrivateOrganizations.htm
Air Force Small Business On-Line
http://selltoairforce.org/Programs/wob/domowo.htm
International Publication of Publications
http://www.publist.com/publisher_browse/n03.html
USA Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov/services
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This piece submitted by Maria Marsala, Life & Business Coach, who can be
reached at maria@coachmaria.com, or visited on the web. Maria wants you
to know: I love coaching business owners who are looking to start or grow
their businesses! Visit my site and enjoy the articles I've written
especially for you or join a business success group starting soon
www.coachmaria.com
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