Networking: 2 Minute Training #19: Free Training = Free Training + Networking!

Networking: 2 Minute Training #19: Free Training = Free Training + Networking!

When you go to your Networking meetings, keep you ears open, and take note of the different individuals within the networking group. Some of them are educators, and some— like the leadership team— have close ties to the organizations that want to help small businesses. When an opportunity arises, and these individuals are looking for more small businesses to work with, they offer free or low-cost training.

Now, if you can moderate and give your own training, that may be an avenue you should consider stepping down. But, for the rest of us, the important thing to remember is that free training should really equate to free training and a networking opportunity.

Free is a very good price. There’s no way around it, but sometimes, you get what you pay for.

When you hear an opportunity for free training exists, you should attend just on general principal. The training is its own reward. But what you’ll really want to focus on, is the networking opportunity.

Who attends a session for free training? Young companies, startups, and people who are new to the networking process. ALSO, people who really need the training. If you are already planning on taking the training, why not take the opportunity to meet some new faces, and make some contacts?

Arrive early, and bring a large set of business cards with you. Set them up on a table in the meeting area, or if one doesn’t exist, set a card down in front of every seat in the place. As people arrive, be friendly. Shake their hands, find out what they do, and harvest their business cards. Let them know what you hope to learn at the training session. Find out what they want to learn, and how their business might benefit from the training. Ask how they heard about the training. Do they know another networking group that you don’t know of?

After the training, send them a follow up email, reintroducing yourself and your business. Give them a link to your website, and ask them who makes an ideal referral for them. If you happen to know someone whose business might benefit from an introduction, then forward that information.

Sure, they might be potential leads or referrals, but make sure that you treat them like you would any networker at any networking meeting: Help them grow their business, and they’ll help you grow yours.