Network Terms
Does your network have certain conditions to meet to be functional? There’s nothing wrong with having a niche way to network, build relationships, and develop your personal or professional brand. In fact, it’s a great metric or measurement system for success!
Listed below are ways to get the most out of your network schemes.
picky picker
One of the conditions of your network is the place and location. You may not network on a particular side of town, or in an area or zone. You may find your niche market or target audience concentrated in a particular area of the city. You may only attend events hosted by certain groups. These groups have a history of delivering great events that are productive for your networking goals. Maybe you only want to associate with certain groups. These groups have a proven track record of attracting the right people to follow up and build quality relationships.
Time of the day
Another condition for you is the time of a networking event. You may have noticed that depending on the time, you can meet different types of people. Your crowd may be the lunch crew. They have time in the afternoon to talk, develop relationships, and follow up. Maybe you like night owls who come out to mix and mingle in the evenings. They are more informal and relaxed after a long day at work. Or maybe you’re intrigued by early birds or the morning crew. They are super efficient and do more at 12 noon than most of us do all day.
cost factor
Another networking condition is the cost of the event. It sounds like you’ve figured out that price plays a big role in who’s seriously committed to your network. If there is no entrance fee, then you are not attending or showing support. Sometimes putting a financial investment is a determining or weeding mechanism. Call it what you want, but it’s another form of metric or measurement in the network game.
Hopefully these have been great tools and tips for improving and fine-tuning your network processes. Either way, be sure to find the conditions or standards that make your network effective and sustainable.