I have been reading the threads on networking and the different opinions and experiences. Tons of you have questions if it's even worth it. Some feel they get nothing from it, and some swear by it. Instead of responding to the threads I've decided to write this blog post with my take on it.

RELATIONSHIPS TAKE TIME

I love face to face networking! You get out and meet all these really great people. I work at home, I'm a single mom, I don't date, and so without business meetings and networking events my social life is null and void at the moment. These events are awesome! I think the personal connection is the BEST way to gain clients as well as great friendships. Relationships take time to nurture no matter online or offline, but face to face is so much easier and faster to get there.

IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE!!!

The biggest thing is it's all about "ATTITUDE"! What you exude from the moment you walk in that door to the moment you walk out that door is tops. You must have "IT" the "ATTITUDE" the proper attitude that is. Put on your best smile. I don't care if Joe Smo just peed in your cheerios, if you are feeling terrible, in a bad mood, whatever your deal is leave it at the door. Put on your winning smile and focus on the people, the relationship, NOT the business. I know... not the business you say - yes, I say not the business. There will be a marketing time for you at the event for your business. The networking part should be focusing on them. Let them know you are interested in them. Even if all they do is try to hard sell you LISTEN! LISTEN! LISTEN! You may not need or be interested in what they have, but people remember how YOU MAKE THEM FEEL and they want to be LISTENED to. If you smile, listen, treat them with respect, and make them feel good that's what they will take away from the event. The fact is most people won't remember a word you say at these things. There are too many people saying too many things, and unless they really have a particular interest, a great system, or a great memory they won't remember much of what was said from each conversation that night.

GET THAT BUSINESS CARD

This is where my next suggestion comes in. Be sure to if at all possible to get their business card while you are talking to them, and jot a couple notes on it as soon as you are done talking so you remember something about them. I try to capture something unique about their business and about them personally if at all possible. I also note at the end of the event the date and event that we met. If they do inquire about your services or your business answer them just don't do the hard sell. This would be a great time to invite them to your newsletter list. If they say they'd love to join it then mark it on their card and let them know you will take care of adding them. If they will receive a confirmation email make sure they are aware of that so they will confirm.

FOLLOW UP ASAP

Next, FOLLOW UP ASAP. Try to follow up not later than 24 hours later. This is a good practice to get into. Personalize your follow-up where ever possible. This is how I do it. I do send one mass email to the whole group and be sure to thank all the moderators and participants for there parts in the event, but I don't stop there. Then I send individual emails to each of them and talk to them personally.

CONVERSION

About 10 - 12% respond to me. Some of them just looking for a connection or being nice. Some looking for a client. Others possible clients. About 3 - 4% will convert to a solid lead and of that 1 - 2% will become a client. That is my experience anyway. It might be slightly different for others, but I track this stuff and that is how it breaks down for me most of the time. So do the math.

100 people attend
10 - 12 respond
3 - 4 solid leads
1 - 2 new clients converted

If you attended just one event a month with 100 people then you have 24 clients in a year. Now just multiply that number of events by 2 a month that's 48 clients in a year. Now let's be realistic it won't always work that way, but it's my bet if you do the work and get the attitude it will work most of the time.

I don't think that's bad!

I don't get to go to as many events as I like, but those are my stats as of now. Most of the events I attend are from 75+. The smaller meetings are any where from 8 - 30 people.

You are not just gaining clients at these events, but you are building relationships both business and personal. You will make new friends and you will gain new clients if you go in with the right attitude. I've seen services and products sell solely based on a persons personality. So attitude matters a lot!

So that's my take on the whole face to face networking issue. What's yours?