How many networking groups is enough?

There seems to be a renewed interest in networking again.  And I am not talking about Facebook or LinkedIn – I am talking about the old fashioned-shake some hands-share a bit about your business-hand out business cards in person kind of networking.

It is true that we are doing more over the internet and with our mobile phones, iPads and other communication devices we can Tweet our status, need for work, business recommendations and new product announcements at anytime from anywhere.  Yet none of this can take the place of doing business with a person face to face.  In a challenging economy this is where your networking skills are put to the test – as is your wallet and time.

Before you decide on how many networking groups you belong to, you need to decide on which group is right for you by answering a few questions:

1. What financial and time resources will I need to invest to make this group profitable for me?  Most experts agree you should experience a 10:1 ratio on your investments to consider your participation a success.
2. Can you commit to being a part of the group and not just taking a seat at each event?  You will only get out of a group what you put into it.  If you come prepared with your 60 second business description, business cards and the desire to give out more referrals than you receive – you are prepared for success.
3. Would you be willing to invite more people to join your group?  Each member must be willing to extend invitations to their social circles to increase the overall effectiveness of the group.

Once you have answered yes to all of the above questions, now it is time to review how many groups you have time for and what differentiates each group.  I belong to three networking groups locally, and two virtually.  I am expected to participate fully in each group if I want to continue to increase my personal and business brands.  Each group focuses on different areas that are important to me for work, friendship and spiritual development. 

I recommend you balance your groups based on time committment as well.  With online groups you can often pop in once a week and attend a once a month online webinar.  With local groups you need to decide if you have the bandwidth to do every week, every month or every quarter commitments.

You cannot “over-network”.  You can choose to not participate fully in groups and be seen as the “non-networker” at each visit.  Remember two very important facts and you will always meet with success:

• No one wants to do business with a business, they are looking to connect and do business with people; and
• no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.  In the case of networking groups they are looking for you to listen, ask for their help with referalls and for you to assist them in the same way.

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