Where Should I Network?

Building business relationships through networking is a great way to build your business. The caveat? It's a slow process.

What are some of your options? There are many leads groups, different chamber mixers, other focused networking events and even online networking where you can meet people.

What's the best route for you? It depends. Make sure that the groups you attend include your target market or the type of businesses that you can build a strategic alliance with. I recommend a mix of face-to-face and online networking.

Most groups allow you to attend one or two meetings before you're required to join. Check out a few. Make sure the group feels right and fits with your overall business goals.

Once you've decided on the appropriate groups, get involved! It's the best way for people to get to know you and your business.

A word of caution. Remember, networking is about relationships.

Don't expect to walk into a new group and start slapping your brochure and business card into everyone's hands (unless that's the meeting format). In an unstructured networking environment it's a sure fire way to turn people off.

Denise O'Berry is a small business expert who helps small business owners take action to grow their business. Learn more about how to be a successful small business owner at http://www.smallbiz-bootcamp.com

In The News:
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/10/13/daily3.html%3Fjst%3Db_ln_hlcid=1257249543ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNHm3Rz0ZEKmRjq00Jt-N3CWXe8QTwHP, NBA in bmarketing/b partnership/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBizjournals.com,nbsp;NCnbsp;-/font nobr49 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Hewlett-Packard Co. and the National Basketball Association on Monday announced a new multiyear bmarketing/b partnership that will include development of joint b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/hp-selects-nba-first-ever-marketing/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B2A8AF144-0C71-40B7-9B6D-2CC11358DAD1%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257249543ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNHNNXu1tMDgoZDNPx4o-D3CRs7w2AHP Selects NBA for First-Ever bMarketing/b Partnership with a b.../b/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMarketWatch/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257249543hl=ennobrall 23 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/acxioms-direct-marketing-database-solution/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B99BF463B-742D-4DA4-B745-EC6FBC95D21E%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257280319ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNGZ9hQgEx6ql3sA5kFu9xeqNBvjMwAcxiom#39;s Direct bMarketing/b Database Solution Helps Alltel Wireless b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1As a result of the popularity of quot;My Circle,quot; the direct bmarketing/b team at Alltel Wireless quickly realized that to improve the customer experience, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/photronics-has-commenced-marketing-private/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B5DFF2AAD-FE79-443F-B57F-1F3B81A47A5A%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257254266ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNH54-8cxxp7_LFgN2fGpNtELIgURQPhotronics Has Commenced bMarketing/b a Private Placement of Senior b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b electronics and display industries, announced today that the Company has commenced bmarketing/b a private placement of senior subordinated debt securities. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/smartfocus-digital-brings-customer-insight/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B1DCFAC67-EA94-4B6D-9EF3-958184510690%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257254153ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNHJ0R2RlMDLdt51OeJI8jEApm_VXwsmartFOCUS DIGITAL Brings Customer Insight to Digital bMarketing/b b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Through DMS#39;s segmentation and targeting abilities, marketers will get a complete, end-to-end solution that provides the highest ROI on digital bmarketing/b b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/meritdirect-adds-smartfocus-customer-knowledge/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B26621009-3C59-4AE2-8B40-9D92505F7192%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257254153ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEixaksAEkwIOqth2IEMoGJeLlNQwMeritDirect Adds smartFOCUS Customer Knowledge Solutions to MeritBase/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMarketWatch/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257254153hl=ennobrall 19 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/relations-pr--marketing-named/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B05DF95D5-E417-487B-949C-259D4EEEB627%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1257214086ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEiXwsw7B4Yo3N0n_wYj9jwtSV7VwRelations PR amp; bMarketing/b Named Agency of Record for A Benefit To b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMarketWatchnbsp;-/font nobr5 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1TAMPA, Fla., Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Relations PR amp; bMarketing/b today announced the addition of A Benefit To You, a new Geriatric Care b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.bizjournals.com/extraedge/consultants/succeeding_today/2008/10/13/column531.html%3Fmarket%3Dportlandcid=1257292665ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNFrYqgDqT6cbwn6kym0rYca6teOswSocial networking and relationship bmarketing/b -- a profitable venture/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBizjournals.com,nbsp;NCnbsp;-/font nobr46 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Like any good Relationship bMarketing/b model, you have to apply TME (Time, Money, Effort) to get the best results. Keep your listings updated. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/experian-marketing-services-partners-with,576188.shtmlcid=1257257946ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEgXSCHZA8TcfVFVeHy6KvbDnLqXQAuthor : Experian bMarketing/b Services; SmartReply, Inc./abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fEarthtimes (press release),nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1For the first time, marketers working with Experian can add mobile and voice bmarketing/b to their multichannel bmarketing/b strategies. b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/experian-helps-marketers-better-understand-and-reach-green-minded-consumers,576471.shtmlcid=1257257946ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEK8AkproteJgMDbmAvazDz9jnWZAExperian Helps Marketers Better Understand and Reach Green-Minded b.../b/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrEarthtimes (press release)/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257257946hl=ennobrall 6 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1455094.htmcid=1257270993ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNFPTcEJJaWlHSxAMU9-ar8FZaJQegOnline bMarketing/b Summit Announces 2009 Conference/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPR Web (press release),nbsp;WAnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2008 -- Online bMarketing/b Summit Founder Aaron Kahlow today announced that the 2009 Online bMarketing/b Summit (OMS) will be b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE49C0QQ.htmlcid=1257281748ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEsSooVp670FQavmNUXUchs9aOdcgKenya boosts tourism bmarketing/b by $13 million/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fReuters South Africa,nbsp;South Africanbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya will spend an extra billion shillings this year on bmarketing/b to try to attract new visitors, its tourism minister said on Monday. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/whatcounts-amp-message-systems-join-forces-with-powerful-email-marketing-solution,576421.shtmlcid=1257293846ei=OmXzSJzSF4Lg6AOx-IiDAQusg=AFQjCNEVGdjU33orFYewk21tYvutH_0nGQWhatCounts amp; Message Systems Join Forces With Powerful Email b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fEarthtimes (press release),nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1In addition, the two companies will coordinate their bmarketing/b and sales efforts to bring the value of this unique combination to the marketplace. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
marketing - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Making Your Mark With The Millennials

Generation Y--The second-largest crop of young people in America's history,... Read More

Generational Marketing

Having run a multi-state franchise company with multiple brands it... Read More

Encouraging Contact

The small time promoter has to work hard and on... Read More

Refresh Your Web Site

So you have a Web site. And so does most... Read More

Free Sample Sales Letter: Example of How to Write a Persuasive Business Marketing Letter

Here is an example of a business-to-business sales letter mailed... Read More

10 steps to promote your business

1) Word of mouth is the most cost-effective, powerful form... Read More

Writing Marketing Copy That Sells

When your prospects see your marketing materials, your brochure, your... Read More

Marketing Smarter To Earn More

An accountant once told me that he never met anyone... Read More

Private Practice Marketing: 3 Secrets I Wish I Knew When I First Started Out

I don't know about you, but I am still waiting... Read More

Promotional Marketing Products ? Selecting the Perfect Item

People are known to shop on impulse- buying an item... Read More

Viral Marketing

Viral marketing involves the use of surf-exchanges, and if you... Read More

Good Marketing Pays for Itself

Most companies ask themselves this question: "How much will this... Read More

Sage Advice from a Marketing Expert!

An international hair-cutting chain opened a new store directly across... Read More

Meaning and Marketing -- The Links

You know who you are and what you want and... Read More

Sell Your Name, Not Your Product

Do you know what the majority of people sell? I... Read More

SWOT Analysis -- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

When conducting strategic planning for any company -- online and/or... Read More

Are You a Marketing Octopus, or a Marketing Worm?

One of the greatest challenges to effectively marketing a business... Read More

Love My Dentist

I love my dentist! When is the last time you... Read More

Dear Friend: Dont Start Your Non-For-Profit Fundraising Letters As A Stranger

Dear Friend:Don't do it.Don't start your fundraising letters with "Dear... Read More

Fair Measures Corporation

A case study in online "thinking outside the box" The... Read More

After The Mailing Is Done, What Happens Next?

If you're doing any sort of marketing effort, whether it's... Read More

When, Why, and How to Use Mailing Lists

Mailing lists may be the cause of more heartbreaks than... Read More

How to Avoid Giving Away Free Consulting

After spending 30 minutes in a coffee shop with a... Read More

The 7 Commandments of Marketing

Marketing is the key to success with any business, online... Read More

Creating Your Future with a Marketing Plan

Almost everyone who dreams of starting their own business is... Read More