If you don’t network, your business is going to die.

Yes, I can hear the bleating already. There is more to business than networking.  Yes, indeedy.  But, I’m writing about networking today. Universal comprehensiveness we shall do next week.

Networking brings: contacts, suppliers, clients, support, new concepts, news… why wouldn’t you?  If you find networking a little tiresome, frightening or confusing, read on…

Where should I network?

There are thousands of networking events in Northern Ireland every year.  Often, they are referred to as business networking events, but really, they cater for the public sector, community groups and charities too.  See our blog posts on Business Events in Northern Ireland for further information and links.

The most exciting – and dare I say it, disruptive – business networking event coming up soon is BizCamp Belfast.  Read The Rise of the Unconference and 5 Reasons Why Networking at BizCamp Works to see what it is.  What it is, is a seriously chilled introduction to networking, for the terrified.  You can leave your corporate ass at the door.

And, minority group I know, but if you’re female, there are even networking events just for you.  See Women’s Business Networks in Northern Ireland.

How should I network?

Attend an Open Coffee meeting.  See this list of Open Coffees in Northern Ireland.  It takes an informal format.

If you prefer a more highly structured approach, then BNI may be the style you’re after.

There are many other networks, ask around.  We run two of our own, ScribeTribe (a network for writers) and BookCamp (for readers).

If you find networking a little daunting, take heart.  There are two posts for you: 5 Ways Introverts Can Excel at Networking and Take the Work Out of Networking!

Should I do it online too?

I cannot stress the networking value of Twitter enough. It’s my favourite social networking site (or, micro-blogging platform, if you want to be pedantic about it).  It’s where I get to have conversations with people I’d never otherwise meet, share and debate ideas, and announce and read news about all types of stuff.  If you’d like to learn more, view this short presentation: Twitter: Understanding Its Networking Value (it takes a few seconds to load once you get to the page).

What about Facebook?  We blog alot about Facebook.  Whatever you do, avoid the 11 Ways to Lose Friends and Alienate People on Facebook.

I’ve connected with several people on LinkedIn this week.  I use it mainly to collect old and new colleagues, suppliers, clients, reviews and testimonials.  My Twitter feed is linked there, whereas it’s not posted to Facebook.  To learn more about how to use LinkedIn for professional networking, see: 5 Ways to Set Out Your Manifesto on LinkedIn.

People look me up on LinkedIn before meetings and interviews, and I do the same.

Finally, it’s a great resource for those looking to fill a position, or find a specialist.

If networking online floats your boat, and you’d like to learn more, then get along to the Social Media Association for Business‘ next event.  I’m currently on the steering committee, so get in touch if you want to learn more.

Is there any science to back all this up?

You’ve Got Networking on the Brain is my husband’s analysis of how business networking mirrors the structure of our brains.  It’s a bit high-brow, with lots of links to go off and research.

Your thoughts on networking are welcome.  What are your strategies for getting it right, and making every moment count?

Format

The format is open for discussion, as we want to establish an event that will meet the need.  However, the launch (08 March) and first few meetings of the network will take the following format:

1. Food/Networking
2. Introduction
3. Seminar by an experienced peer
4. Discussion/Questions
5. Networking

Note that on the same night, in the same venue, a parallel event will take place, BookCamp, which will start and conclude at the same time. Before and after both events, there is a joint opportunity for networking with other NI professionals.

Who is it for?

We envisage that the following types of professionals will find the network valuable:

• Copywriters, Proofreaders and Editors
• Web Content Writers
• Article Writers
• Researchers and Academic Writers
• Technical Writers
• Indexers
• Tender Writers
• Funding and Grant Application Writers
• Writers of Press Releases
• PR Professionals

Aims and Benefits for Members

Networking (meeting with other professionals)

Professional Development (through peer learning from experienced member speakers delivering talks on a range of requested topics)

Sourcing (liaising with potential clients, and those who can supply referrals)

Speakers

We are currently looking out for voluntary speakers for our monthly events.  This experience will help raise your profile in the professional community in which you work and share your expertise with other professionals.  You are not charged for any night on which you speak.

Would this be something you’d be interested in doing?   If so, get in touch.

Here are some suggested topics:

1. What struggles do you have as a sole writer in an office of non-writers?
2. Or, as a freelancer, do you find it difficult to get in touch with potential clients?
3. Is there a style of writing you’d like more experience in?
4. Are there writing projects in which you need guidance?
5. What common questions and issues arise when approaching certain types of documentation?
6. Are there any online tools or websites to help with creating templates?

We are totally open to requested topics, and to suggestions from suitably experienced writers.  Email us at info@sensei-winbeforehand.co.uk with your name, suggested topic, brief outline and contact details.  It would also be helpful to know which month you’d be free to speak.  Please enter “ScribeTribe Speaker” in the Subject line.

Keep in touch

In order for us to keep you informed of new topics, speakers and events, subscribe to our newsletter.

Or, Like our Facebook Page.

Networking used to be such a daunting experience.  I sucked at it.  I sometimes still do – when I forget to ditch the following dubious practices.

But, I’m getting better.  Read the blog – it may just save your networking life.  

Health warning: this blog post was written with a sarcastic tongue firmly embedded in one cheek!

Throw your business cards out like confetti

You never know who that person (who was calmly standing by the train station platform, minding their own business) might know.  The scattergun approach is best.  The more places your card exists out there, the more opportunities, and those customers will start hammering the door down.  There is no need to explain who you are, or why you’re there. Just dish out the cards, and move on to the next person.

Avoid attending any organised networking meetings

You may have to share damp biscuits with someone you have never met.  This would start an awkward conversation, which may lead to complicated queries about what you actually do, which inevitably delays the route to the buffet.  It’s all about the free food.

Avoid meeting the speaker, everyone knows they’re just there to promote themselves and couldn’t possibly turn out to be a good person for you to talk to.

Be especially suspicious about the trend for informal networking meetings

No such good can come from a combination of dubious facial hair, denim and Covey.  Casual networking is about as welcome as an arm-waver at a fundamentalist rally!

If you attended such a gathering, you would most certainly be expected to converse around a small, awkward coffee table, sitting on trendy, red leather, tub chairs, “chatting”.

You may even be encouraged to “share”, to more than one person at a time.  Euww!  The people would be “nice”, but would real sales take place?

Not everyone would arrive at once and topics would vary from business to real life, thus wasting time.  Besides, they always hold them on the night Holby is on.  And, of course, you don’t want to miss all the shenanigans.

In other words, a total waste of time.

For goodness sakes, stop wasting time on Facebook!

Everyone knows Facebook is frequented only by students and other lowlives.  Why would a grown adult want to be on Facebook?  It’s full of dangerous people and makes us all less sociable.  Furthermore, there are no e-commerce options on there, so how’s anyone ever going to buy your product!?  To be honest, I’m not sure that my friends and family are all that interested in what I do in any case.

Don’t even get me started on these people who share links from YouTube!

What an almighty waste of time!  The videos might be informative or funny, but there are bugs in those videos, you know.  They infiltrate your computer and can eventually get into your home heating system, via Wifi “channels”.  It messes up the entire electrical system.

What are your key recommendations for sucking at networking!  Any pet hates?  Any useful tips?

It’s a bit like Speed Networking

I’ve always found speed networking to be entirely useless as a medium, as five minutes is insufficient to get any real sense of what your counterpart does; you only get a short time pre-determined by someone else) to spend chatting with each person.  The difference at BizCamp is that you can choose the time length yourself.  This may while rushing inbetween talks, to say a quick “hi”; it could be over a planned coffee; or, during a longer (planned) lunchbreak, or post-event coffee.  It’s an opportunity to network with a multiple of people (320 by all accounts).

It’s a bit like Training

BizCamp is all about learning.  There are multiple speakers and themes.  And, as on training courses, you’ve all day to network casually, as you discuss the learning points, get into groups, argue, discuss, debate, ask, provoke…  There’s plenty of scope for things to open and continue a conversation with, which makes it much easier for the introverted to engage.

It’s a bit like Dating

You can get into a real, intense, private conversation with someone should you wish, due to the relaxed nature of events.  There is no requirement to attend talks all day.

You can meet all sorts there.  Social media is a great method of carrying on the relationship in the virtual world, making it much easier to relate when you meet that person again.

It’s a bit like Schmoozing

Schmoozing’s a worthwhile activity, don’t knock it!  You know the deal. We all schmooze a little.  We befriend and hang out with the cool cats. Often the cool cats turn out to be cool people too, and just good to be around because of the energy, smiles, fun, insight, positivity, friendliness, life, noise or cupcakes they exude.  And, business and referrals too.  Thanks guys.  :)

Oh, this wee app will now make Schmooozing easier.

It’s a bit like Chilling with Your Mates

In all, networking at BizCamp is so unlike any other networking activity.  Maybe it’s because there’s no unspoken dress code?  Maybe it’s because there are no heavy expectations on you as an attendee.  (If you want to volunteer to help you can.  Future organisers will only be too glad to give you a job to do, I’m sure.)

In all, it’s about as far away from traditional, structured networking (which works too) as possible.  You NEED to be at the next one!

Meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the event.  Who did you hear that really blew your mind, and inspired you to great things?  What elements of the day worked well, or not?  Are you a cupcake fan, an oreo fan, or a gingerbread man fan?  Have you been inspired to speak at the next BizCamp?  And, what about?  Answers on a comment below please!

Some Links to the Presentations:

Kathryn Leech: http://www.slideshare.net/bzinetiis/social-media-for-business-5785544

Jordan McClements: http://www.ppcni.com/bizcamp.pdf

If you know of any others, add them to a comment, and we will add them in here.

Image credit: Neil Harrison Photography, the one-man energy machine, who leaped around all day taking excellent pics.