Since I started my business, I have tried various ways to get business, to get leads, and I have wasted lots of money on different lead generation sites and methods. But the most successful approach that I have found is by networking.
As I write this article, the UK is back in lockdown, which means that it is impossible to network face to face, but that is not an issue as there are now lots of virtual networking events. All you need to do is grab yourself a coffee and log on to a networking event through Zoom, you still get to meet lots of people but your day can be so much more productive as you don't need to spend time travelling to the events (unless you live in a massive house).
I have been on so many different types of online networking meetings in the last few months, and have been on some amazing ones, but also some inferior ones. There are loads of free ones and ones that you need to pay for, some that you need to become a member of and subscribe and some that you can just rock up to and join. For me, the most successful ones are meetings have been the ones that I've had to pay for, these ones seem to be more structured and have a strong host with a good personality, these meetings are more engaging, and the attendees get so much more from them.
The networking group that I have had the most success from is one called Network B2B, it is one that you have to pay for, but the business that I have received from the group has already paid for over 5 years worth of membership.
The Network B2B meetings are very well organised, informal and follow a structure that really does work.
The typical format of a Network B2B meeting is:
Visitors can attend 2 meetings before they become a member so they can experience the meetings for themselves before they commit to becoming a member so I'd recommend contacting them to get booked onto a meeting or contact me.
Once you become a member, Network B2B organise some training sessions so that you know what works best in these meetings, so they will teach you how to do a perfect 60-second presentation and how to ask for referrals. They understand that this format works, and if people attend meetings, attend the training sessions, then they will get business - they do offer a money-back guarantee if you do not get business from these meetings, so for me, it was a no brainer to join.
I could keep going on about some of the benefits, but Network B2B have put together a short video, I would highly recommend watching it now...
I am currently a member of the Northampton brunch group, we meet every Wednesday 9:30-11:00 if you'd like to come along and see what it's all about please let me know - tony@trillmarketing.co.uk.
Network B2B have meetings all over the UK so check out their website and get yourself booked into one of their meetings - https://networkb2b.co.uk/
A highly approachable and well networked technology entrepreneur, specialising in mobile responsive websites, mobile apps and other forms of digital marketing.
