An important aspect of preparing your networking plan is due diligence. Never jump in and join a group without gathering background information on the organization. Here’s what I do:

 

Step #1: I find a group that I think I would want to be a part of. My next step depends on whether I have a client who is recommending me or I am seeking this out on my own. If I have a client recommending me, I ask that person to allow me to come as their guest for several meetings to get a sense as to how I would be accepted. I find out who are the players there, how many competitors I have there and what the power base is like.

 

Step #2: I call several board members and introduce myself, letting them know I am thinking about membership and asking how this particular organization has served them. I also ask what impact they feel they have had on the organization.

 

Calling before you become a member sets you apart from the rest of the pack. You will already hold a place in their minds when they finally meet you face-to-face at one of the meetings.

 

Step #3: I then take a look at the organization’s competitors and the quality of their membership. I mention this because it may take a year after joining a group before you can measure any results. You have to be very active, take a high profile position, and really give. You can’t join a lot of groups because, eventually, it will leave time for little else. The flip side of the coin is that without spending enough time in the group you do decide to join, after two or three meetings you will become convinced networking doesn’t work for you because you’re not getting anything out of it.

 

 

Always pay close attention to new members because, once you have joined a group, I want you to align yourself with the newer members because they are seeking the same thing you are seeking. For example, it is natural when joining a new group and being introduced into the mix to feel out of place. You may even believe that everyone thinks you have joined merely to improve your business. My response to this comes in the form of a question. Why do you think everybody else has joined that organization? The professionals, the CPAs, the attorneys—why do you think they are there?

 

For the same reasons you are, which is to network, to meet other people and to play the networking game. Never lose sight of that, which is another reason to align yourself with some of the newer people. They haven’t established themselves either and you can actually buddy up which can be a tremendously strong relation ship-builder.