I think that if we deal with networking first, one solution doesn’t fit all. There are an awful lot of different networking opportunities out there.
Some networking starts at 7 in the morning, for example, and goes through to 8.30, so it has no impact on your working day, but others start at 9.30 and go to 11. And not all networking has the same audience.
There are a lot of specialist networking groups out there, which is a great opportunity to find what you’re looking for. So, if you’re a builder, go to a construction networking. Or if you go networking as a virtual assistant and find there are four other virtual assistants there, try a different group.
In terms of trade shows, it’s pretty much the same thing. The most important thing to realise from a trade show, and it’s true for networking as well, is that – don’t expect to walk away with customers from it.
There’s a lot of work that you have to do afterwards, because you’re building relationships. I think there’s only been one trade show I’ve been to where I’ve actually signed somebody up on the day, and they’ve become a BBX member.
But from that, we normally collect in the region of 75-100 business cards, and then I’ll get maybe 50 chances to go and talk to somebody afterwards over the next 2 or 3 months.