Are Networking Organizations Worth Joining?
Author: Michael Cage

Every once in a while someone comes to me and says something like this: "Michael, I want to join a networking organization like the Chamber of Commerce, BNI, or Le Tip. I don't have a lot of time, so it is important I pick the best group to get the most out of my networking efforts. What should I do?"

I have an answer for them, but it's not the one they expect.

Before I reveal the answer, I need to explain a very important concept. The place where most would-be-networkers fail most often is not at an event. The failure takes place well before. You see, the first and most important job any networker has to do is define in exacting detail the type of people they want to network with and why.

My favorite shortcut for salespeople and business owners is to look to their existing clients. The questions to ask are:

"Who among your clients are the best and most profitable to work with? The kinds of clients you want most of?"

With the answer to that question in hand, there are 15 questions you need to answer about those "best of the best clients" for maximum networking power, but that is going far beyond the scope of this message.

Anyway, in most cases, once you know who you want to attract there are much more targeted and less competitive ways to reach them then official networking "meat markets."

What am I talking about?

The most valuable groups for you to become a part of are made up almost exclusively of your target market and are not saturated with rabid salespeople trying their best to tear the flesh from your prospects' bones. This rules out the Chamber of Commerce and most networking organizations. Now, before you get up in arms, I am NOT saying these organizations are not useful. I'm saying the low hanging fruit... the easiest and most productive networking... is almost always had elsewhere. You just have to know where to look.

For businesses? Trade and professional associations are terrific. Most groups have an "associate membership" designed for outside businesses and salespeople to become a member even if they aren't the butchers, bakers, or candlestick-makers the group is set up for.

For consumers? Hobby and lifestyle groups, sometimes professional organizations. A salesperson I know has drawn a high 6-figure income exclusively from monthly wine tastings with affluent consumers. A powerful group-selection method for consumers is affinity-based. In other words, what interests do you and your target market share a passion for, and what groups are available related to it.

A little time devoted to discovering and leveraging these organizations ripe with your ideal customers or clients, and your business and sales results will take off. It's as simple as that.

That's all for this tip, go make some money!

For more information about my non-traditional networking system designed to double the profits of small business owners and salespeople, visit Networking Success for Business Owners and Salespeople today.






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Michael Cage teaches small business owners and salespeople how to at least double their profits with his non-traditional "Take It To The Bank Networking System." For more information, visit Networking Success for Business Owners and Salespeople.

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