Hi everyone,
I had a strange experience this week and if I don't fuss about it somewhere, my head may explode. I apologize if this gets too wordy...
So I go to quite a few networking events, which is very new for me and for the most part I have made some fantastic connections with people and secured myself a few clients. One of the events that I attend is once a month and has great speakers that actually teach something, instead of selling...though the group is predominately MLM folks.
So I met with the leader of this group for our "Dance Card", which is supposed to be one on one networking. This girl is lovely and very friendly, kinda reminds me of one of my cousin, blah, blah...We chit chat over food and she spends the rest of the time talking about her MLM product (Send out Cards). She sets me up with a gift account and I tell her I will think about it...she does not presssure me. After two hours, I get in the car to come back home and realize that she did not ask me once what I did! She doesn't know or care what I do, she just wanted to sell me something! I'm annoyed, mostly at myself for allowing that, but also with her a little.
Has this happened to anyone else? What can I do in the future to not have this happen to me again? Any good tips?
Annoyed in Albuquerque, Ha!
Tamara
Desert DiVassistant

I find a lot of these organized networking organizations are like that and I've given up on a lot of them. I honestly feel that "real" networking comes from developing real, solid relationships with people -whether it's at a gym, Toastmasters group, your children's playgroups, PTA, dog park, Rotary, any volunteer work etc. People get to know you, develop a level of trust, etc. As I said about this subject in another post, been there, got the t-shirt, wore it out.

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Julia

Thanks for the input and I get what you are saying and agree with you, but I pretty much have to do some networking or I would have very few clients. I have only been in business since July and need to meet as many people as I can, even if it is out of my comfort level. I am still relatively new to my area and have a very small circle of friends.
It's ironic that you mention the dog park because I do have a client/referral source that I met there, our dogs are buddies!

Originally Posted by Desert DiVA

Thanks for the input and I get what you are saying and agree with you, but I pretty much have to do some networking or I would have very few clients.

I hear you - I just found some of these networking events really expensive for little return, especially the ones with huge annual membership rates - I think the people making money on those are the people who organize them.

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Julia

I feel your pain!!!

I inititated a Networking 101 Progressive Luncheon at my local Chamber of Commerce. The speaker/presenter that I chose was my former business coach and he had given me invaluable insight on proper networking. So many people go to these events thinking that after three minutes someone is going to trust them enough to do business with them - WRONG! It's all about relationships, asking who their ideal clients are, asking questions about what a person does and making it a point that even though you may not need their services, you may be able to refer them to someone who does. It's called being a people-connector. It's not about how many cards one can collect, it's about making an impression so that person will remember you in the future. Needless to say, the event drew in over 100 very satisfied attendees who left knowing a lot more about proper networking than before.

For fun, I would call this person up and ask her how her product will benefit your business. Guaranteed she will ask what you do and that is when you kindly explain had she taken the time to find out, she would have had the perfect product ready for you!

Okay...that was bad...
:-)

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

Thank you so much for the wonderful insight, Doreen (and Julia)...I was beginning to think something was wrong with me. I go to these events for those very reasons, plus I am curious as to what other folks do for $$ and how they acheived their success.
And no that was not bad, it was honest and I kinda thought about doing something similar...
I shall bite my tongue for now...

DesertDiVa -- You mentioned that you just kicked-off your business in July. That's only been 2.75 months. Most businesses will fail within 2 years. Few people hang their shingle on Monday and are booked solid and profitable by Friday. It is going to take time to build a customer base.

Some things you must learn for yourself, such as which networking events are worth your time. I can tell you all day ones that didn't work for me, but I have a different style, so I won't attract the same people as you. You need to invest some time in reading books on marketing as well as attending these events. Don't get impatient, you'll do fine.

You can lead the horse to water ....

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Originally Posted by VBP

The speaker/presenter that I chose was my former business coach and he had given me invaluable insight on proper networking. So many people go to these events thinking that after three minutes someone is going to trust them enough to do business with them - WRONG! It's all about relationships, asking who their ideal clients are, asking questions about what a person does and making it a point that even though you may not need their services, you may be able to refer them to someone who does. It's called being a people-connector. It's not about how many cards one can collect, it's about making an impression so that person will remember you in the future. Needless to say, the event drew in over 100 very satisfied attendees who left knowing a lot more about proper networking than before.

I fully agree with everything you have written, however there are many networking groups out there and they have become a business in themselves - BNI, eWomenNetwork (these are two international organizations I tried) etc. who charge a huge fee plus costs of dinnders, lunches, which were not cheap. You can go broke attending these. That's why I have moved my networking to other areas that aren't as expensive and aren't structured networking, getting to know people who have similar interests to mine. That is true networking - not spending $35+ for a crappy salad for a lunch or dinner three or four times a month to sit with four or six people you may never see again.

DesertDiva, I agree you should network, I'd try various organizations and ask to attend as a guest as often as you can where you can go for free or just pay for the lunch/dinner and try these out and if you start to develop any relationships consider joining formally.

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Julia

Thanks Robin Ann...I didn't quit my day-job (in July) until I was booked enough to pay the bills, so to speak. I am a Virgo's Virgo...risk is bad....haha.I have been very fortunate in the connections I already have. I have gotten all of my clients the old fashioned way...word of mouth. I'm just really new to networking and was unaware of the MLM insanity that existed therein and wanted to vent. I just don't want to get into these events (spending the money and more importantly, the time)and I'm the only one with a business that does not involve a pyramid/ponzi scheme or $200 a month auto-shipped juice that may or may not cure brain tumors.
I didn't realize that my marketing was flawed...I'll take a look at it with a new eye perhaps. I do a lot of low-cost marketing for small businesses and get rave reviews along with substantial ROI for my clients.
P.S. Sorry if I sound hyper-sensitive/defensive...got the PMS... a zit the size of Delaware...and brunch tomorrow with the ex-boyfriend...why me...hahahaha...

Desert DiVA, I hear you! I just started in August. I've already had the 'let's get together and see how we can work together' meeting ups that turned into 'here's what I can sell you'. It's a bummer! I'm still working on my pre-qualifying skills.

As for networking, I've found a great group (and three clients) here in Albuquerque. Send me a private message and I'll send you an invite. Yes, there is a charge, but it's a smaller group who are more concerned about creating relationships.

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Erika Yocom, Virtual Personal Assistant
http://www.linkedin.com/in/vpassistant