Networking: 2 Minute Training #12: Go Where You Don’t Belong… Yet.

Networking: 2 Minute Training #12: Go Where You Don’t Belong… Yet.

We network in order to get into contact with people and businesses that we haven’t met, and might not have an opportunity to meet during our usual, everyday activities. When you are meeting someone for the first time, an introduction is necessary. If a mutual friend introduces you both, than you start with some common ground, but if you don’t know anyone, and you don’t have a mutual friend you pretty much have to walk up, and introduce yourself, uninvited.

Sure, its awkward. Sure, it won’t be 100% well received. But more often than not, things start off just fine, and your new contact just might open more doors to opportunity than you had hoped. So why should it be any different with organizations?

The key to getting a good secondary networking group is to go where you don’t belong… yet. Find out from your networking group if anyone is part of a chamber of commerce, leads group, or other networking activity, and where it is.

Then… wait for it… simply show up.

Find out when the business “after-hours event” for the chamber of commerce takes place, and then go. Find out when a BNI group is meeting… and then be there. Find a listing for Coffee and Contacts, and then attend.

Tell people you are new. Let them know this is your first time. Ask them to introduce you to someone in a leadership position. Ask someone to introduce you to a good business lead. Request information, and ask to be put on a mailing list. Ask when the next event is, and then show up again.

Just like a hunter claims a new hunting ground by exploring, finding a new area, and then hunting there— you will find a new networking group, attend, and then make decisions on whether to continue or not. You’ll never know if its right by just waiting for an invitation. Act now, and reap the benefits!