Go! You Might Meet Somebody.

That’s the title of Lesson 48 in my book, Soul Proprietor, 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur. I talk about how I met the perfect business partner at a craft show. It became a mutually satisfying and financially rewarding relationship – all because I showed up.

It’s especially good to get “out there” and interact with other folks who are also “out there.” I have a hunch many people are hiding, not circulating and/or waiting for “it” to get better. Those who are showing up are those I want to meet. Read my blog for some of the highlights.

My commitment to myself and my business is to attend three networking events per month. I intentionally check my calendar to see if I’m accomplishing that. Do you have a networking commitment?

Accidental Networking is No Accident

I accidentally attended several networking events last week. I say accidentally because they weren’t all labeled as such. Monday night was a birthday dinner for a friend and client. I met eight women I hadn’t known before. Friday night’s event was for the purpose of networking yet began with an hour of yoga which made it feel warmer and friendlier than just shaking hands. I put out my books, met many other women business owners and shared good food. Sunday afternoon I attended the opening of an art exhibit curated by another good friend and client. I bumped into several colleagues whom I hadn’t seen in months, years and even a decade.

The other two were purely networking events located at commercial venues. They didn’t work as well for me personally. After all these years in business, I’m still discovering what works and what doesn’t. The best place for me to check in with that is my heart. How do I feel? What’s the vibe? Are these my people? Is the atmosphere conducive to the conversations I want to have? Please share on my blog about the networking you’ve found most effective.

Anytime you show up in public, you’re networking. In fact, my thesis is that whenever you’re not home alone, you’re networking. Bottom line–be who you are wherever you go and bring business cards. Being prepared is never accidental.

Following-Up on a Stack of Business Cards

Recently, I sat in my office catching up on the last few busy weeks with a stack of business cards and decisions to make: who to follow up with, which groups to continue to pursue and what information to hold onto and move forward with. I’m sure, if you’re reading this, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

I asked myself the WIIFM question: what’s in it for me? We ALL operate out of our own self-interest first, even if it doesn’t always look like that. Read my blog to find the questions you need to ask yourself when you decide how to follow-up.

Go! You might meet somebody.