Who’s Who in YOUR Town?

Written on May 7, 2010 by admin

I recently moved to San Diego, and was keen to get into the network of social media lovers and bloggers. Last night I attended a Moms’ Nite Out event where several dozen moms who blog, Tweet and run businesses got to know one another over drinks and apps (both the edible kind AND the iPhone kind).

Networking is your lifeline if you run a business, especially if you run it out of your home. It’s at networking events that you meet potential partners and clients, as well as hear about projects and events you will want to attend. Sugar Jones, a well respected blogger, told me about an event in L.A. I hadn’t heard about. Several other women told me about groups and websites I’d want to be a part of. None of this would have happened if I’d stayed home.

A lot of sales people push leads groups and networking as a way to find customers and make sales. I argue that point on a previous post. For me, networking is about finding likeminded people to inspire you. People you can help. And yes, people who can help you.

It pays off to know who the thought leaders are in your industry, in your town. At your next event, you might meet the head of a conference who’s looking for speakers (and you fit the bill). And hey, if your kids both just learned to read, you have something to bond over.

Spend the next half hour finding out what networking events are in your city. Find the ones that would be the best fit for you and your industry, and mark them on your calendar. You’ll be glad you did. I promise.