How to Find Networking Events Perfect for Your Small Business
When we first started Small Hits, we kept hearing about this thing called “networking.” Everyone told us it was vital for growing our business and bringing in clients. But, of course, we didn’t believe them and ignored them.
Looking back, I wish we would’ve started sooner. As stressful as networking can seem, it’s such an excellent way for you to connect with people and get noticed. So what even is networking? How does one start networking?
Let’s jump right in.
What is Networking?
Networking is establishing relationships with other people to exchange information and ideas. It is a powerful way to build connections that can help you gain clients, build relationships with other businesses, and get your business out there.
Networking is the key to small business success. You can create partnerships, get advice, and learn about new opportunities by meeting other business owners. In addition, networking can help you build your business skills, find customers, and connect with potential employees.
There are many different types of networking events you can attend that can benefit your business. But where do you find these events? How do you even know where to start?
Finding Networking Events for Your Small Business
Finding networking opportunities doesn’t have to be a struggle. With so many events happening around you all the time, you just need to find the ones that are best for you.
Use these great tips to find the ones best for your business.
Meetup.com
One of the best ways to find networking events is to use Meetup.com. This website allows you to search for events in your area related to your business. You can find events for almost any industry, and you can even specify the type of event that you’re looking for.
Meetup is free to use, and groups are run by approximately 140,000 organizers. Plus, there is a group for just about every industry and interest. You can search for groups by location, topic, or keyword, so you’re able to find exactly what you want.
You’re able to see who else is going so you can see who might align with your business. This can be a great tool to use to determine which potential business partners, clients, or customers you think can be a benefit for you.
Social Media
Social media is a great place to find events that will help your business grow. Platforms like Alignable, LinkedIn, and Facebook make it easy to connect with people in your industry and find events where you can meet other business owners.
Alignable
Alignable is a social network for business owners. It’s a great resource for small businesses that are just starting out because it connects you with others in your area. You can ask for advice, get recommendations, and, of course, find networking events.
Join groups to get the inside scoop on any special events or search for networking events near you. To find them through search, simply type in your city and state or the name of the event you’re interested in.
LinkedIn can be an extremely valuable networking tool for small businesses. Not only can you use it to find potential customers and partners, but you can also use it to find networking events in your area.
One way to find networking events on LinkedIn is to simply enter the keywords "networking events" into the search bar. You'll get a list of results, including upcoming events and event recommendations based on your LinkedIn profile.
There’s even a section in the “My Network” tab where you can see events LinkedIn has recommended for you. These events are recommended based on your interests, pages you follow, and the events you are already interested in.
And no need to worry about missing any opportunities the pages you follow might have. You can find all of their events under the “events” tab on their page. If you’re following the page, you might even get notifications about upcoming events.
Facebook is a powerful tool for networking. Not only can you connect with friends and family, but you can also use it to find events and groups related to your business.
Much like the other two, join groups and use search to find events that interest you and your business. Again, look for networking specific groups and groups similar to your industry. Follow companies you want to connect with and build a relationship with and see if they are hosting or attending any events.
Local professional or industry organizations
There are a variety of local organizations that can help you find networking events. Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Councils, and Professional Associations are all great resources for finding business networking events in your area.
Chambers of Commerce are a great resource for finding both networking events and business development opportunities. They typically have a calendar of events that includes chamber-sponsored events and events hosted by other local organizations. These orgainzations focus primarily on promoting and protecting its members.
Economic Development Councils are more focused on promoting the economic growth in their area. They often have directories of businesses in their region and lists of upcoming events so you can keep in contact with the other companies around you.
Professional Associations are a great way to find networking events. Not only do they have a calendar of events on their website, but they also send out a weekly or monthly email with all the events happening in your area.
You can’t go wrong attending events hosted by professional organizations no matter what your business is.
Ask around your area
One of the best ways to find networking events is to ask your friends, family, and community. Chances are, someone you know is either hosting or attending an event that would be a good fit for you. You may even get some ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of before that could be a massive benefit for your company.
Host an event
While this can be difficult for businesses new to networking, holding a networking event yourself can be a great way to get your business out there and meet new people. Hold an after-hour meet-up or lunch event to make it relaxed for everyone involved.
If you aren’t sure how where to start when hosting your own event, follow these steps:
Choose a goal
Choose your event type
Pick a venue
Make an introduction
Keep it exciting
Talk to everyone
Follow up after the event
The goal isn’t to show off or control the event. Instead, let people mingle and build their own conversations. And don’t forget to join in yourself!
Ready to find your next event?
Networking events can be a great way to connect with potential customers and partners for your small business. However, not all networking events are the same. Using the tips above can help you find networking events that are perfect for your business.
